OK, I'll chime in with my experience. I got to regionals in 6th grade. I forget how many rounds I went through, maybe about half. Then my dress got caught in the folding chair and I tore it getting loose. It wasn't a big tear, about an inch or so. I was mortified, then I choked on my word. I can't even remember the word I missed but I can remember what dress I was wearing. I did the school bee again but my heart was never in it after that.