Credit to those kids. School should be ashamed of themselves for that teacher’s inability to understand the nuance of the rule and more importantly work with and advocate for those kids. The teachers role never should be adversarial.

That being said, the cynic in me sees the “Technology Students Association” as a massive grift that would make the College Board blush and these competitions are simply college app padding, with enough categories and regional levels that everyone gets a line item (well I guess except these kids.) It’s disappointing and frustrating but ultimately of little importance.