[Mark Pierce]

I applaud you for what you are trying to do. I've got a regional this week but I'll take a few minutes to add my two cents:

The best way to get support from the School, teachers, or students is to show them something. It's probably a little late to get anyone to drive or fly to a regional this weekend, but it would undoubtedly be a good time and you'd learn a lot. Likewise with a trip to Atlanta. The next best thing is to put a presentation together including videos and approach anyone in the school who you think will help you support the team. My son got up in front of all the teachers in the school at one of their in-service meetings to explain what we were doing his junior year on 288. We got some help for that year at least.

Once you've got some school admin or teacher support, then arrange for one of the nearby teams to bring their robot and do a demonstration. That is a great way to show what can be done and for your new team to hear what being in FIRST is like. It's also a great experience for the team doing the demo. I know because we've done demos many times for new teams and many other groups.

It looks like you've already got a connection with 1816. If they don't have a contact with 1623, call the school. FIRST may also have a way to contact them as well, but you might have better luck with that after regionals are done. Things are hectic now.

Good Luck and please keep us posted!