If you don't want to hear the story, but want to see the photos and videos, read the bold text.
I just discovered this forum and it was just what I was looking for! I am Austin Bartz and I am part of the West Bend Wisconsin High School's BotsIQ team. We started in 2009 with 5 students including me. Our school didn't give us anything accept the shop area to produce our bot. Our instructor, Mr. Gilbert, isn't a teacher, he owns Jackson Truck Body. So our first bot, Vega$, was created completely on donations from local companies. I apparently can't post links for the first 7 days so to get our website you have to Google BartzTech, then on the BartzTech site click on WBHS Robotics. The site is not completely finished yet, but there are pictures and videos of Vega$. We went in with no experience and we took 2nd place against well funded and experienced teams. We then went on to take 2 consecutive 1st places, therefor forcing us to retire our prized and first bot, Vega$!
Let me know what you think!