Entering the contest to win is the path to failure.  If it is a trophy you are after, there are many trophy stores.  Go buy a big one and save yourself a bunch of time.

Entering the contest to gain experience and connect with people is success.  You cannot buy this at any store.

If the above doesn’t convince you, then understand that the contest does not judge who is the better person.  It doesn’t always reward the better speech.  So, enter the contest anyway and prepare to shake things up!