[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Zach O

So along with have awards for only rookies, that only rookies can get points for, they get points for just showing up? Instead of giving rookies an easier pass to get in to the state championship or CMP, why don't we start working to make rookies more competitive?

^^ This.

And while that's something that comes down to the teams in the community being willing to help out the rookies around them, and not something HQ or any district can decide -- it's a better solution long-term.

Yes, saying 'First-year-team advances to State Championship!' might help them get some attention in the community, it's better for their team in the long run to have the support and resources around them to help them learn and improve (and hey, maybe get to DCMP on their own merit!) than to get free points just so they can 'have the experience' of the DCMP - where they might just get stomped. Not very inspiring to me.

The fact that simply existing as a rookie holds the same value as a District Chairman's Award doesn't sit well with me.