[OZ_341]

I went in the room in 2003, only to observe and learn so that future students could benefit from these observations. I told the judges I would only speak if they had a mentor level question for me. I kept silent almost the entire presentation and only spoke when spoken too. The only exception was when the judges had a historical question which my students could not have possibly answered. Even when I thought my team was getting off track I kept my mouth closed. It was their time to perform. In a strange way I think my silence showed the trust I had in my students. We won that year.

Since that time we have sent in only students. It is their thing, in my opinion. But it is good for an adult on the team to understand what they will go through, so that you can prepare them for this challenge.