Effective immediately, the 2013 NSC field has expanded to 72 teams. Several waitlisted teams have confirmed their entrance into the field. As of this writing, 3 spots remain and the 2 waitlisted teams we have yet to hear from (Norcross and Harmony Science) have first right of refusal. Registration is limited to those waitlisted teams and our current standby teams until 10 AM EST tomorrow, May 31, and will open to any interested teams after that point. Teams who are interested in registering should contact Aaron Rosenberg at cursednine@gmail.com as soon as they are able to commit to attending.

To clarify, the remaining 3 spots will be assigned as follows:

PACE is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Cooper Awards:

The recipient of the Benjamin Cooper Young Ambassador Award is Max Schindler of Ladue High School.

The co-recipients of the Benjamin Cooper Academic Ambassador Award are Chris Chiego and Dwight Wynne.

Congratulations to Max, Chris, and Dwight!

The 2013 NSC field is currently full at 64 teams. Because of our room limitations, it will not be possible to expand the field. A waiting list has been started for all other interested teams. Teams who have already filled out the registration form can join the waiting list by mailing in their $100 down payment; these checks will not be cashed unless their teams enter the field and will be returned in the event that their team does not enter the field. Teams will join the waitlist in the order in which a check is received.

As we approach 64 teams having filled out our registration form, I want to remind all teams of this year’s policy that they are not considered officially registered until Aaron Rosenberg has received their deposit (or full payment). Remember that payment should be mailed to:
Aaron Rosenberg
901 W. Springfield Avenue
Apartment 17
Urbana, IL 61801
and that this address is different from last year, as Aaron has moved. Payment via Google Checkout is also possible; contact Aaron Rosenberg at cursednine@gmail.com for details or if you need your invoice re-sent.

Please note in accordance with this policy that the first 64 teams to submit a deposit and/or full payment will be considered the initial full field for the tournament, regardless of the order in which they submitted their online form. All other teams will be placed on a waiting list.

The Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence is pleased to announce that it is accepting nominations for the 2013 Benjamin Cooper Academic Ambassador Awards. The awards, which recognize those who contribute to the “spirit and honor of quizbowl competition,” will be presented at the 2013 PACE National Scholastics Championship in College Park, Maryland, on June 8-9. The Benjamin Cooper Academic Ambassador Award will be given to a coach, advisor, administrator, tournament organizer, or other person who has made significant contributions to high school quizbowl. A second award, the Young Ambassador Award, will be given to someone affiliated with a college or high school program who, despite his or her young age, has already made valuable contributions to the high school academic competition community. Nominations will be accepted until April 1, 2013. For more information on the award and the nomination process, please see below.

The Benjamin Cooper Awards:

The Benjamin Cooper Academic Ambassador Award and the Young Ambassador Award recognize those who have made substantial contributions to the “spirit and honor of quizbowl competition.” Benjamin Cooper, for whom the award is named, was a model student at the Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC, who was well-liked among his colleagues and the faculty. He participated in many activities in school and in service to the community. Because of his enthusiasm and encouragement to promote academic competition among his team members, he was selected as the captain of the varsity team for the 1997-1998 school year. On August 12, 1997, Ben was tragically killed in an automobile accident while returning from his summer job.

The first Cooper Award was presented by PACE to Georgetown Day School team advisor Sue Ikenberry in honor of Ben at the 1998 NSC. Subsequent awards have been presented every year, and a complete list of winners is available on the PACE website. The Young Ambassador Award was first presented at the 2004 NSC.

How to Nominate:

Any member of the quizbowl community is eligible for the Cooper Award. Eligibility for the Young Ambassador Award is restricted to those currently affiliated with high school or college programs. Because there are always many deserving candidates, PACE welcomes re-nomination of those nominated last year who have continued to contribute to the quizbowl community.

To submit a nomination, please compose a statement of no more than 1,000 words detailing your nominee’s contributions to the quizbowl community. This statement should include a summary of positions held by the nominee as well as a specific explanation of why, in your opinion, he or she has contributed to the “spirit and honor of quizbowl competition.”

Please email your nomination statement to this year’s Cooper Award coordinator, Stephen Eltinge, at stepheneltinge@gmail.com no later than April 1, 2013. Stephen will confirm receipt of your nomination within 48 hours of the time you submit it. In your email, please include your contact information in case the PACE Cooper Award Committee wishes to contact you for additional information about the nominee. All nomination statements are strictly confidential and will be seen only by the PACE members involved in the selection process.

Announcement of Winners:

Members of the PACE Cooper Award Committee will deliberate throughout the month of April. The winners will be announced on the hsquizbowl.org message board and on the PACE website during the first week of May. The awards will be formally presented to the winners on the first day of the 2013 NSC.

If you have any questions about this year’s Cooper Award or to submit a nomination, please contact Stephen Eltinge at stepheneltinge@gmail.com.