I watched as my team graduated over the past 4 years people that wouldn't pass high school without the inspiration FIRST gave them let alone go off to college as they all did.
You all know my
personal experiences with FIRST.
The team I speak of here is a low budget team that worked hard and fits your description, yet still I, from a large team that you described, honor them.
I myself have gone through FIRST knowing that its ideals are there. I watch high school students get excited over thinking, science, and engineering.
It's a success, and the ideals are there. Come on by to NJ, I promise you the ideals are alive and well on the North East.
Never give up hope. The good is out there, and it's still strong.