You know, on the one hand, I get...no, actually, I don't get the Mom's concern. If her daughter had been denied the position despite winning, or if the school had overridden the results to appoint her sole president, I could see it. But people come to positions of authority, even political positions, in all kinds of ways. Heck, if you think about it, the US doesn't really elect the VP, someone who could easily become president. And the daughter's motives are clearly good. I'm guessing the adviser saw her motivation, desire to see the organization succeed, and willingness to work to do it. I don't really see this as a "participation trophy"* issue.