I don't see this as unethical, nor do I see it as poor reinforcement of behavior. He and his brother had to fill out hundreds of entry forms during their summer

I don't see this as unethical, nor do I see it as poor reinforcement of behavior. He and his brother had to fill out hundreds of entry forms during their summer break to get this to work. Being awarded for putting in the effort to receive something like this is a good exercise.