[Meredith Novak]

As a mentor for a HoF team who won a RCA after the establishment of the HoF (something I don't think was supposed to happen) I have, I believe, a unique perspective on this situation. (We had never before won an RCA as we won the CA before there were RCAs.)

Since we were required to do a Chairman's submission to retain our HoF status, we were sort of in the pool of teams competing at the regional level, though I don't think that was ever the intent. So we "accidently" won an RCA and everyone was excited and a little confused. But I had a real how-can-we-unring-this-bell moment of clarity when I heard Mr. Novak say, "Did you see the faces of the team who should have won this here?"

At that moment, I decided that being a HoF team meant something different than being a team competing for an RCA or CA. Not better, just different. I have spent the last 6 years pondering that and trying out things (mostly unsuccessfully, I admit) to define the HoF status and responsibilities for our team.

Until 2009, we were still required to submit for a CA and I would go to the officials of our regionals and inform them we would not be presenting for the award and explain why we were not in the running for an RCA.

I personally feel frustrated by this decision because it flies in the face of my contention that HoF teams are not merely RCA re-treads but should serve as a resource and inspiration for other teams. Like I said, we have not done a good job at this, but I thought we were at least working on it. As a HoF team, it is our responsibility to elevate others.

In my opinion only: if a HoF team desires another award, they should help another team win one.

-