Most people will try out at least one sport during their childhood whether they are good at it or not. I can remember playing soccer from the time I was in kindergarten all the way to the fifth grade, and after each game, everyone on the team was given snacks and a trophy. No matter if you scored the winning goal or just stood in defense daydreaming, you got a trophy. To some, that makes the reward less special, and at my age now, I agree, but as a child, those trophies made me happy and determined to play more.

Betty Berden’s article, “Participation Trophies Send a Dangerous Message”, is all about how young teammates should only receive a trophy if they have actually earned it. She argues how the trophies do not mean as much to her knowing