shelley
chang
5BLD: Have you suggested having your parents talk to other adults attending (including staff)? That might help your situation out if they feel like there's somebody to "watch over you."
When we started doing this we were college students holding an event in a lecture hall. It still amuses me that we're considered responsible adults putting on a huge event in Las Vegas now.
But please note that competition staff have enough on their plate and should not be thought of as babysitters.