Do the references for the award need to be present at the competition that you are applying for the award at?
So if I would like to be a reference for our mentor for the Woody Flowers, do I need to be at the competition?
Thanks.
References do not, as the award judging process is done beforehand & I do not recall any judges coming to talk about that specific award with our team at any point, but it would be nice (but not required*) if the recipient (whoever you choose) is there to accept the award.
This also makes your submission essay very important to be very clear & concise to relay everything you want to about that person to the judges since they won’t do a follow up interview for more info (that I know of).
*One year our WFA recipient was not at the competition on Friday due to personal reasons when they handed out the award, so another mentor accepted on his behalf, & we told the staff of FIRST imnmediately following the awards ceremony, & they agreed to redo the award (complete with re-reading of the essay & all), & since we had not told the mentor they won on Friday night, he was in complete shock on Saturday!
It worked out very nicely. 
Spelling alert!
Woodie 
No disrespect to the award meant by my misspelling. Thanks for the info and thanks for pointing it out.