[dtengineering]

Hopefully things will be cleared up quickly.

In the event that it all goes sideways and the principal says, "you can't attend the ceremonies." Take it in stride.

It sounds like you will all have some much more significant graduation ceremonies in your future... being banned from this one will give you a great tale to tell your grandkids, especially if you handle it with class and style.

I'd suggest building a little mock stage on the nearest piece of public land to the entrance to the building where the ceremony is being held, putting up your own grad banner, and inviting the media to see three top students who were banned from grad for attending a world robotics championship cross their own stage. Get some of the other team members... perhaps some of the community mentors... to dress up and give you a diploma. Then go play robot frisbee golf.

You might not only end up making the principal realize that they are being an idiot, thus clearing the way for your younger teammates to attend robotics competitions in the future, but also get some great publicity for FIRST and your team.

And have that great story to tell your grandkids (well, and your roommates at university...). After all, almost everyone goes to grad, but how many people get banned for doing something good?

Don't fight bureaucratic morons... embrace them! Humour and publicity will take care of the rest.

Jason