[EricH]

Definitely Jim. You work, you go. Given that Jim and Sam know about the same amount about the electrical system in general, the one who worked on it more is more likely to know the ins and outs. That is Jim in this case.

However, who is more mature/reliable? That is also something to consider. By the amount of time, Jim is more reliable. By other factors, it's an unknown.

Senior trips are nice, but not necessary. Atlanta doesn't have to be experienced as a student.

In fact, one mentor (the drive coach) will have to go. Unless the team's school is extremely permissive, one or more adults must be present. So Sam will probably have a chance again as a mentor.

Or, Sam pays his own way. That would be ideal to expose the most students--each student who doesn't have a free pass (drive and one other) pays his or her own way to Atlanta if they want to go.

Here's what I would call: Jim gets the paid trip. Sam and any other student who wants to go can go, but will have to pay for travel and other expenses on his own.