FIRST Robotics Competition Blog

Hello!

My job at FIRST HQ is everything after high school – education, enlistment, employment – whatever your next steps are, it’s my job to help you in getting there. This time of year, that means GRADUATION.

Class of 2022: CONGRATULATIONS. I’m so proud of all that you have accomplished so far and all that you will accomplish in the future. You have made it through the most tumultuous years of high school that anyone could imagine. Through zoom classes, and lock downs, to finally being back to a bit of normal – you did it! We are so proud to have you as a member of the FIRST community, and we look forward to being with you as you step into adulthood and become a FIRST alum.

To celebrate and recognize your new status as a FIRST alum, I hope that you’ll join in on FIRST Signing Day on TikTok on May 17 so that we can celebrate everything you’ve accomplished on your FIRST teams and everything you’ll do next!

What’s FIRST Signing Day?

Fair question! FIRST Signing Day is an initiative originally conceived in 2016 by FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2468, Team Appreciate, to celebrate and recognize graduating seniors. Since 2020, we have been partnering with 2468 to host FIRST Signing Day.

This year we’re using TikTok (and other social media) to celebrate FIRST graduates. Starting on May 13 you’ll find a video that you and your team can duet to recognize and celebrate your graduating seniors and whatever they’ve chosen to do next, whether going to college, enlisting, or straight into a career! (Don’t have TikTok? Don’t worry! Starting on FIRST Signing Day, May 17, we’ll be sharing videos and shout-outs on Twitter and Instagram too – be sure to follow and celebrate!)

As you celebrate the class of 2022, be sure to check out some of the resources that are available to you whether you’re graduating now or in 2030!! 

• Local FIRST Alumni Groups
• FIRST Alumni Handbook
• FIRST Alumni LinkedIn Group 

Have any questions? Or ideas for things we can improve? Shoot me an email at mlong@firstinspires.org.