[rich2202]

IMHO, it all comes down to: What does FIRST do for the Student?

While Sports helps Students to be well rounded, very few students use Sports to get ahead in life (how many kids from your school got into college because of their athletic abilities?).

Try doing this study: For the 10 years prior to having a FIRST team, where did students go to college?

Since FIRST, where have team members gone to college? What have those kids gone on to do?

Your school's guidance office should have information on where graduates have gone onto college. Finding out what they are doing now is more difficult.

See if you can show something like: Prior to FIRST, no kids went to a top 20 STEM school. After FIRST, 10% of your team went on to top 20 STEM schools, and 60% went on to major in STEM fields. Statistics like that boosts the School's standing, and supports continued investment in the FIRST program.

Note: Is your High School 144 Students? Almost 10% of your school participates? That fact alone should carry a lot of weight.