Some thoughts are with all receiving a trophy may be more specific with children is it builds esteem and self-esteem. Even though the first may be family centric, the second is a variable by individual. Quite possibly with friends too simply being recognized as a participant, of which the friend did or did not participate.
I am not familiar with trophies and such within the classroom environment. With sports in mind one does not know if the team itself has its own system of recognition more familiar with schools particular to high school. For instance who scored the most touchdowns or etc, who is voted the most valuable player and etc, and maybe collectively as coaches with their awards. Quite possibly the trophy concept begins with wearing the uniform.
If one looks at both scouting programs as pre-adolescence / teens - girls and boys, as well as other programs - Awana and etc. discovered is the all participant recognition has a beginning point. They are a member of a group.
Usually that may be recognized as having a uniform of some type. Therein enters delineation with family economics (With the sports example many times the school provides the uniform reused year-to-year). Following is an earning awards systems. The delineation does not prevent that from occurring, though may affect self-esteem. That may be more specific to within the organized structures for display of the 'trophy concept' - badges and etc.
For example with personal experience when I joined the scouting program I was told I could have a uniform. But, it was conditional first with a shirt, scarf, and cap. And, too, it was my Christmas presents, although not given then.
Some may begin with the cap only or some mixture. BTW that was with the Cub Scouts. With the later Boy Scouts I had to pay too with my allowance. In other words I had to save thus earned the recognition, although possibly not shared with all. That could have led to building self-esteem.
We see the trophy concept here at HP with accolades. Bear in mind of recent years the focus has changed and is changing still. If one looks at how those are displayed at the profile the first five may be considered as esteem orientated for the business concept. The following is self-esteem orientated toward social. Maybe not.
