02. What are the Criteria that SNI uses to choose the Spirit Award winner?
Schools presented with the Spirit Banner have a positive appreciation and understanding of what the Nationals are all about. They glorify the event by their sterling conduct both while competing and while not competing. They speak well of the event during the year and are constant positive ambassadors to the Natiuonals year-round. They conduct themselves at all times as honored partners of the event.

The school selected often faces obstacles and obstructions that lesser schools may allow to derail their unit. They are supportive of other drillers, hard-working and approachable by other schools. Their organization and in general "the way they do business" is something that makes Sports Network International proud of their inclusion and association with the National High School Drill Team Championships.

03. Are Schools Nominated to win the Spirit Award?
No, every school that attends the NHSDTC and participates within the Master Level competition is eligible for the Spirit Banner award. Their is no "entry" or other mention needed. Schools are looked at year-round for this award. This review starts with their entry paperwork into the event and it doesn't end until the competition ends! Every year, a strong case can be made for over a dozen schools but only one can be selected.

04. Exactly when is the school choosen?
Usually, about 12-18 schools are mentally "in the running" every year. The after the schools register in Daytona Beach, check into hotels, and begin competition, these hard choices are made to whittle this number of exceptional schools down to a single designee. This choice is rarely finalized until Sunday morning or mid-afternoon.

05. Who chooses the Spirit Award winner?
The choice remains a group decision where several people have strong input. The SNI registration staff and often hotel staff are consulted to get details on the demeanor and conduct of the schools off the drill area. Other event watchers such as Spirit Award founder Abdul Al-Romaizan and other key event judges and long-time spectators opinons are highly sought after. However, the final decision rests with the Competition Director, Justin Gates.

06. Do schools have to Finish as the National Champion or Runner-up to Win the Spirit Award?
No, this is not the case. The overall finish and/or team placements really have no bearing on who receives this award. In fact, it has more to do with a positive display of both your unit and the NHSDTC in general off the drill floor than any placements or awards won on the drill floor. HOWEVER, to dispell a common myth, just because you are a strong finisher, it does not HINDER you from winning the award (see Rahway, 2006!).

07. What does a School Receive when they are Selected as the Spirit Award winner?
Recipient schools will be notified only at the Masters Level Awards Ceremony and not in advance. They will be called to the stage where the Unit Commander is presented with their Spirit Award Banner. This banner is taken home and posted at the school for one year. It is then returned to SNI the following year to be awarded to another deserving school. Their picture is posted on the official SNI Spirit Award homepage for one year as well.

08. Can a school be selected for the Spirit Award two times or more times?
Currently, this award can only be won once by any individual school.