[Akash Rastogi]

I think that this is actually one of the best possible opportunities your team could have to show the Board of Ed. what your team and FIRST is all about. Show them the true meaning of FIRST competition and that it is definitely not a trip for leisure. It may not come down to actually arguing but you'll have a put up a fight in a sense that you'll have to show your dedication and the value of the program in the school. Also, try to demonstrate how your team will raise the money to go so that the school board has reassurance that they do not need to step in and fix financial problems that you may encounter. Hope this helps.

-Akash