Participation Trophy Novels & Stories

Nathan gives a brief introduction for each person, submitted by whoever nominated them for the award, then the winner walks up to the podium to collect their engraved glass trophy, which is an intricate sculpture of the R Roswell logo. There are usually about 20 winners, and Nathan makes quick work of running through the list. There’s a woman from HR, someone from the marketing department who’s relatively new, a man from the product design team, a seasoned member of the PR department, and one of the custodial staff. They’re all absolutely delighted to receive the award, smiling wide and bowing and practically bouncing back to their seats, and it’s heartwarming to see them all so happy.

Facing her cold attitude, Dean Phillips remained unruffled and slowly said, "We called you here to congratulate you. Last week, you won first place in the piano competition with Lexion University. The university has prepared a trophy for you." After speaking, Dean Phillips handed Scarlett a small, exquisite, golden trophy from the cabinet. "It's no big deal, just a small competition," Scarlett casually remarked as she took it. From a young age, she had received too many trophies. She couldn't be bothered with these insignificant ones. But it didn't matter. The biggest surprise today was not this irrelevant trophy, but Ms. Jones! Standing in place with the trophy in hand, Scarlett looked at M

Opening envelopes, unfolding papers, making quiet comments about utility bills and dealership receipts like we were helping a friend move, not going through the aftermath of a death. Rowan was the first to find something that actually made us stop. He pulled out a battered metal trophy from one of the deeper boxes, the kind schools give out for participation rather than excellence. The little gold-plated figure on top was caught mid-jump, basketball tucked under one arm, and the plaque read, "Most Improved Player, Willow Haven Youth League, Age 10." Frank’s name was etched into it in slightly crooked letters. Rowan held it up like it was buried treasure, an eyebrow raised in perfect mockery.

Zachary picked up the trophy in front of Sandra and shook it in front of him. "Lastly, our conscience is clear to receive this trophy. Anyone who has any objections about this, please come to me. My name is Zachary Lawrence!"

As soon as the host mentioned this, the crowd went wild. The sound of applause and cheering grew louder and louder, and it soon drowned out everything else in the stadium. While tens of thousands of people watched, Stanley Batton walked up to Xyla Quest with a round-shaped trophy in his hands. The trophy was the size of a large coin with Xyla’s name carved on it. The applause and cheering in the stadium continued. Golden confetti continued to rain down on the stage. It seemed as if it would never stop.

"Gotta get back to someone special." Matt just stood there for a long moment, holding the trophy, awed by the history of it and the fact that this year he had been part of the winning team. For a moment the turn his life had taken and the personal wreckage he'd left behind in his climb to the top faded away.

And when he does, he quickly snatches his trophy from the girl and comes walking towards us, strangely his expression still nervous. " Congrats Dude ! ", Ethan squeals and hugs him first, patting on his back. Gavin can't hug him back cause he is holding his juice box and trophy in his both hands. I reach to grab the trophy. It's a small beautiful golden statue of a basketballer tossing a ball. But Gavin doesn't give me. He has an iron grip on it. " Congrats ! You played so well t..today.", I say and smile at him as he pulls away from Ethan. He smiles back at me and opens his arms. I quickly hug his sweaty body and pulls away laughing as he mutters a quiet 'Thanks dude'.

CHAPTER FORTY Marcus’ POV “Ahhh,” I sighed, raising the trophy up to the sky. “Much better.” I placed the trophy on the shelf and picked up the next. The insignia was simple. Marcus Cross, Best Coach, Morrigan University. This was the first E-sports trophy I had won, just after I got hired by the school. I cleaned it, wiped away the dust and placed it back. Cleaning my trophies was one of my favourite past times, and since Dylan stabbed me, I had been too lazy to do that.

The announcer waited patiently until the applause died down to announce second place. "In second place, with a time of forty-two hours, thirteen minutes, and forty-seven seconds is: The Gauntlet!" Polite applause sounded as Thomas Grant and the pretty Sarah Parish stepped up on the stage to accept their silver trophy. The lack of enthusiasm from the audience told me that most of the guests felt the same way as I did about Grant. Sarah smiled at everyone in the room, but Grant looked as though he smelled something unpleasant as he took the second place trophy and then stomped off the stage.