At the Apollo Rendezvous in 1991 I got lucky and won a 6-inch mirror kit as a door prize. At the June 11, 1994 Apollo Rendezvous a finished 6-inch f/8 scope was on display with the other scopes. The person judging the entries liked the finished product enough that I was awarded a certificate for best first telescope.
Since 1990 and more so now that I have my own telescope I have enjoyed being out under the sky at night. The beauty and diversity of objects along with the surprise of a meteor continue to draw me out.