I think it is helpful to consider the distinctions between "accomplishment", "success", and "winning".
In FIRST, everybody that participates in good faith has accomplished somthing important. If they met their personal and team goals, they were successful. Only a few of these accomplished, successful participants will be winners. In my opinion, the accomplishment and success are more valuable than winning, but winning should always remain a goal.
Nobody would say that all graduating students are valedictorians. By the same token, it would be wrong to imply that non-valedictorians are losers. Don't diminish "accomplishment" by limiting the definition of "success" to "winning".
Regarding the participation medals vs. pins (another thread): I would rather have a pin or something to commemorate my "accomplishment" in each specific game, than a generic medal that pretended to make me feel like a "winner". Actually, I would like to have a cool game T-shirt that I could wear any time. That would also be a good advertising, too.
