[ComradeNikolai]

We didn't have the problem approaching the administration to start a team or get initial funding since our programming teacher asked us if we wanted to do it, we said yes, and magically the team was started!

Along with what has been said, however, talking to administration can be helpful. We did a presentation for our school board about what FIRST is, how it works, etc, and they were very impressed (we had two debater do it, so it was well rehearsed) and we hope they'll try to integrate us into their budget the next time it can be changed. Additionally, we ran a booth at open-house and talked to our principal and he took one of our sign up forms to hang in his office because "it looked really cool" -- a good sign that we'll have support from him.