So I got the camera back from Robin and off we go to see how preparation is going for the Contest Orientation, Practice Session, and Visual Challenge.

Dick Rinewalt (Director of Judging), Jo Perry (Finals Chief Judge), and PC^2 developer Sam Ashoo check out problem solving from a team's workstation. Everything has to be just right for the practice session. The practice session is the first time that the contest environment software is tested with a full-scale configuration. There is less than a day to tune it up for the Contest Finals...

How many Ph.D.'s does it take to line up the signs and manage the flow of traffic during the contest?

Just two if they are Baylor's David Sturgill and Don Gaitros! One sights, the other aligns. They are corporal and sargeant-at-arms. They control the flow of traffic during practice session, Visual Challenge, and Contest Finals and director exception handling to the appropriate parties.

ACM Headquarters Contest Coordinator Fran Sinhart puts out goodies and makes sure that everything is tip-top.

Microsoft's Donya Cobb and crew get the hardware and network running well. Donya makes sure that all that equipment gets to the Contest Finals on time and in great condition. She's done a great job now for four years!

The contest area is set for the Practice Session and Visual Challenge.

Susanne Peterson, Dave Brennan, and Paul Lorimer of Microsoft pose with Bill Poucher (Contest Director) and the World Championship trophy. Bill needs to lose some weight and poke his handkerchief back in his pocket(comment by Bill). As with all good things, it will have to wait until after the contest is over!

While preparation goes on inside, registration continues outside. Pre-registration is followed by certification. Every name must be spelled right for the 200+ contestants, coaches, and advisors. Hector Ochoa Bacelis of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco checks in with Contest Manager Jennifer Sitton. All teams are duly registered on time.

Brian Sitton (Baylor University) and Ria van Ouwerkerk (TU Eindhoven) take a look at the systems controls. Ria is on the team from T. U. Eindhoven that is preparing for hosting the Contest Finals in the near future.

Doug Lane says, "Let's do it!"

Dick Rinewalt (Texas Christian Unversity) searches for a stapler. Where do these things go?

Fran, James, and Marsha protect the World Championship Trophy during a lull in registration.

Jennifer makes assignments to Delft and Ulm volunteers. These folks make the contest flow as smooth as glass.

But, before the Practice Session begins, its off to the UPE Business Meeting for recognition and scholarships...