Associated Collegiate Press contests are the most-competitive, most-honored prizes in collegiate journalism.

The prestigious Pacemaker recognizes overall excellence and distinguishes the top student media produced during a particular school year.  

Individual Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of individual students and small teams of journalists. 

The Best of Show contest ranks the best student media represented at conventions and conferences sponsored by Associated Collegiate Press.

Clips & Clicks is an open competition each semester, with an annual Sweepstakes Award.

Since 1927, the Associated Collegiate Press has presented collegiate journalism’s preeminent award — the Pacemaker.

The prestigious award recognizes overall excellence and distinguishes the top student media produced during a particular school year.

Pacemaker entries compete directly against each other. There are no written critiques or scoring rubrics. Student media staffs seeking a comprehensive evaluation including detailed feedback, a scoring rubric and an honor rating of Third Class to All-American are encouraged to participate in the ACP Critique Service.

Business

OPENS: March 8, 2023

DEADLINE: June 1, 2023

TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.

Recognizes outstanding student media business and operations teams that work hard to ensure student journalism is supported financially so that it may thrive. 

Finalists will be announced in September 2023. Winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2023, in Atlanta.

Broadcast

OPEN NOW

DEADLINE: June 1, 2023

TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.

Submit three full, student-produced news programs as they originally ran for their audience using URL links to a website or a video-sharing site such as YouTube or Vimeo. The video-sharing site must be owned by your student media program rather than an individual. 

The following should be entered:

• One broadcast news program that aired between July 1, and Dec. 24, 2022.
• One broadcast news program that aired between Jan. 1,  and June 1, 2023.
• One broadcast news program that aired between July 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023.

Finalists will be announced in September 2023. Winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2023, in Atlanta.

Innovation

OPENS: March 8, 2023

DEADLINE: June 1, 2023

TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.

The Innovation Pacemaker is designed to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and reward student media for the courage to take chances to improve service to their customers, readers and communities.

The following should be entered:

• A PDF, a website, a video, a podcast — to deliver your story and supporting information. Provide examples and documentation as appropriate. Careful editing and visual packaging are important.  

Finalists will be announced in September 2023. Winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2023, in Atlanta.

Magazine

OPENS: March 8, 2023

DEADLINE: June 1, 2023

TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.

Submit three issues of your choice from the 2022-23 school year. If fewer than three issues were published, upload all the issues. 

There are two magazine categories:

• Feature/General Audience 
• Literary Arts

Upload PDF files of three issues published between June 16, 2022, and June 1, 2023. There must be a complete PDF file for each issue. Do not upload single pages. Each file must be named using the naming convention indicated on the entry form.

Finalists will be announced in September 2023. Winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2023, in Atlanta.

Multiplatform

OPENS: March 8, 2023

DEADLINE: June 1, 2023

TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.

Print has been redefined in content, format and frequency, and digital platforms offer immediacy and dynamic storytelling through audio, video, social media and email newsletters. The Multiplatform Pacemaker recognizes collegiate media excelling across the content platforms available to them. Judges will review work across these multiple platforms.

Newspaper/Newsmagazine

OPEN NOW

DEADLINE: June 1, 2023

TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.

Submit three issues of your choice from the 2022-23 school year. If fewer than three issues were published, upload all the issues. 

Upload PDF files of three issues published between June 16, 2022, and June 1, 2023. There must be a complete PDF file for each issue. Do not upload single pages. Each file must be named using the naming convention indicated on the entry form.

Online

OPEN NOW

DEADLINE: June 1, 2023

TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.

For this contest, news and feature websites are accepted. The websites may be produced in conjunction with a print newspaper or magazine or a stand-alone site. Members are asked to submit three URLs of your featured content that you would specifically like the judges to review in addition to the overall site.

Members are permitted to enter both the Online Pacemaker and the Multimedia Pacemaker competitions. Separate submissions are required.

Yearbook

OPENS: March 8, 2023

DEADLINE: Nov. 1, 2023

TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.

A print copy of the 2023 yearbook should be entered and must arrive at ACP by the deadline date. Yearbooks will not be returned.

Ship yearbooks to this address —

ACP Yearbook Pacemaker
2829 University Ave. SE / Suite 720
Minneapolis, MN 55414

ACP Individual Awards

CURRENTLY OPEN
DEADLINE: June 15, 2022, 5 p.m. CT

ACP Individual Awards honor the nation’s best collegiate journalism — in a wide range of categories. The awards are presented to individuals and small teams. There are 49 contests in nine categories outlined in detail below.

2022 rules & regulations

ONLINE AWARD SUBMISSION: All entries are submitted using the BetterBNC award platform.

Creating an Open Call account is required and takes only a few minutes for one-time set-up. Each ACP-member broadcast, publication or website should have an Open Call account —  each with a different email address.

Assistance with the BetterBNC award platform is available at 360-427-6300, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Pacific or by emailing cody@smalltownpapers.com.

ELIGIBILITY: Entries must have been published between June 15, 2021, and June 15, 2022. The contest is open only to student media with a current ACP membership as of the contest deadline. Any student on the staff of an ACP-member media outlet is eligible to enter. The entry must be published in the ACP-member student media. The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion contest does not require ACP membership.

ENTRY FEE: For the 2021-22 school year, participation in the Individual Awards is included in ACP membership. Starting next school year (2022-23), participation in the Indvidual Awards is $99 in addition to ACP membership.

DEADLINE: The website for award submission will be closed at 5 p.m. CT June 15, 2022. The deadline will not be reopened. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Finalists will be announced by October 2022. Winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention hosted by ACP, College Media Association and the Society of Professional Journalists on Oct. 27-30 in Washington, D.C. ACP recognizes finalists and winners in its publication and on its websites and social media sites. ACP recognizes the right to publish the entrants’ work in its print and online publications as well as on social media.

RECOGNITION: The first-place winner in each category will receive a plaque for the student media outlet and a certificate for up to five students. Second- through 10th-place winners receive certificates. If the entry is the work of more than one student, up to five names will be listed in alphabetical order. If more than five students are responsible, the award will be presented to Staff. Some contests have cash prizes, as noted, and they are provided by co-sponsoring organizations. 

NUMBER OF ENTRIES: The number of entries allowed for each contest is indicated. In most cases, one or two entries per student media outlet are allowed. Staffs are encouraged to work together to select their highest quality work. Entries may not be submitted in more than one category. 

SUBMISSION: The submission format required for each contest is indicated. In most categories, a URL link to a website or a PDF file of the printed page is required — but not both. For PDF files, the folio line with the publication date should be included. For Photo of the Year contests, actual image files (JPG, TIF, PNG) are required. Word documents will be rejected.

QUESTIONS: Inquires about the ACP Individual Awards should be directed to Gary Lundgren, ACP associate director, at gary@studentpress.org. Assistance with the BetterBNC award platform is available at 360.427.6300, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Pacific or by emailing cody@smalltownpapers.com.

1. Story of the Year

1A. Breaking News Story

Timely coverage of a significant news event impacting readers and written on deadline for immediate publication.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

1B. In-Depth News Story

A story about a topic or issue of importance to your college community and explored in significant depth with multiple sources.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

1C. Feature Story

Personality profiles, trend stories or human-interest stories; not general news, breaking news or sports.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

1D. Sports Game Story

A story providing timely, accurate and dynamic coverage and analysis of a single game.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

1E. Sports Feature Story

A human-interest sports story that includes profiles of sports figures, but does not report the results of a single game.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

1F. Editorial

The statement of the publication’s opinion supported by fact generally without bylines.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

1G. Column

A recurring feature characterized by the voice, personality and opinions of the writer; may include humor and news analysis.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

NEW // 1H. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication has joined Associated Collegiate Press in launching the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion contest.

Stories from all platforms are eligible. Long-form stories, published in print or online, should be accompanied by sidebars, graphics and data. Broadcast packages may also be entered.

Eligible coverage will include but not be limited to race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and other differences.

Winners receive a $500 cash award presented by the Hubbard School.

Number of Entries: Unlimited, ACP membership not required.

Submission: URL link for broadcast and online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

1I. Local Climate Change Reporting

Climate change is one of the most important stories of our generation. This contest, in partnership with the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, encourages local climate change reporting by college media.

Long-form stories, published in print or online, should be accompanied by sidebars, graphics and data. Broadcast packages may also be entered.

All student journalists who are interested in reporting on climate change as a local story are encouraged to use the Climate Matters in the Newsroom reporting resources, science-based reporting materials that are funded, in part, by the National Science Foundation. These materials can be used in award submissions.

The first-place winner earns $500, and the second and third place winners $300 and $200 respectively. Team reporting is permitted, and the cash prize will be divided among the names on the entry form.

Number of Entries: Unlimited entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for broadcast and online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

1J. Ernie Pyle Human-Interest Profile

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and war correspondent, Ernie Pyle is best known for his stories about ordinary American soldiers during World War II.

Pyle had the ability to reach out and make readers feel comfortable sharing their good as well as their hard times. He is also known for the columns he wrote as a roving, human-interest reporter for Scripps-Howard newspapers from 1935-1940. Selected columns of Pyle’s human-interest stories were published in “Home Country.”

The Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation, with funding from the Scripps-Howard Foundation, is a co-sponsor of this new ACP contest to encourage and recognize human-interest storytelling. 

Submissions should be columns or feature stories profiling people not already in the headlines.

The first-place winner earns $1,500, and the second and third place winners $600 and $400 respectively.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

2. Reporter of the Year

Any reporter enrolled as a full-time student during the 2021-22 school year and working on the staff of an ACP member newspaper, magazine or news website is eligible to enter.

The portfolio must include three writing samples, including a news story, feature story and an additional piece of your choice published during the 2021-22 school year in ACP-member student media outlet.

Writing submitted as part of the Report of the Year portfolio may also be entered in individual contest categories.

2A. Two-year School, Reporter of the Year

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member newspaper, magazine or online site.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

2B. Four-year School, Reporter of the Year

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member newspaper, magazine or online site.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

3. Multimedia Story of the Year

3A. Multimedia News Story Package

Reporting on breaking news or an issue of importance to your audience that demonstrates strong news-gathering skills and delivers concise information. In addition to text and images, the entry must include audio, video, slideshows, interactive content (maps, timelines, etc.) or animation as part of a robust news package.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

3B. Multimedia Feature Story Package

Personality profiles, trend stories or human-interest stories; not general news, breaking news or sports. In addition to text and images, entry must include audio, video, slideshows, interactive content (maps, timelines, etc.) or animation as part of a robust feature package.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

3C. Multimedia Sports Story Package

Coverage of games or seasonal summary, and it may also include profiles of sports personalities or human-interest sports features. In addition to text and images, entry must include audio, video, slideshows, interactive content (maps, timelines, etc.) or animation as part of a robust sports package.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

3D. Photo Slideshow

A photo story on a single subject with each photo communicating a different angle. Captions must be included for every image.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

3E. Interactive Graphic

Allows reader to navigate through an informational graphic to engage with the information. Popular formats include factoids, lists, quizzes, bar charts, line charts, pie charts, tables, ratings, timelines, step-by-step guides, diagrams and maps.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

3F. Podcast

Delivers relevant content through engaging audio storytelling and should appear on your media outlet’s ACP-member website. Entry must be a single podcast not a collection.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

3G. Blog

Must reflect journalistic standards in topics, coverage and writing and should appear on your media outlet’s ACP-member website. Entry must be a single blog not a collection. 

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

4. Design of the Year

4A. Newspaper Front Page

First page featuring dynamic nameplate and compelling verbal and visual content.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member publication.

Submission: PDF file of printed page.

4B. Newspaper Page/Spread

Single-page or spread entries including news, sports, opinion, feature, photo or entertainment that are intended to be viewed without facing pages or two facing pages that together display a single verbal/visual story or a package of related content.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member publication.

Submission: PDF file of printed page(s).

4C. Magazine Cover

First page featuring dynamic nameplate and compelling verbal and visual content.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member publication.

Submission: PDF file of cover.

4D. Magazine Page/Spread

Single-page entries including news, sports, opinion, feature, photo or entertainment that are intended to be viewed without facing pages or two facing pages that together display a single verbal/visual story or a package of related content. A package of two or more spreads is also allowed.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member publication.

Submission: PDF file of printed page(s).

4E. Yearbook Cover

Creative exterior packaging of the yearbook introducing its verbal and visual branding.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member publication.

Submission: PDF file of cover.

4F. Yearbook Page/Spread

Single-page or spread entries including student life, academics, people, organizations and sports that are intended to be viewed without facing pages or two facing pages that together display a single verbal/visual story or a package of related content. A package of two or more spreads is also allowed.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member publication.

Submission: PDF file of printed page(s).

4G. Informational Graphic

Combines illustration and information in an easy-to-read presentation. Popular formats include factoids, lists, quizzes, bar charts, line charts, pie charts, tables, ratings, timelines, step-by-step guides, diagrams and maps.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

4H. Illustration

Art or photography used to illustrate a story. All elements must be the original work of the photographer/artists. If appropriate for accuracy, must be labeled as an illustration when published.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

5. Photo of the Year

5A. News/Breaking News Photo

Captures a timely visual story and displays news value and evidence of on-the-spot coverage.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required along with a caption. Do not submit URL link or PDF file.

5B. Feature Photo

Delivers a human-interest story with the emphasis on people in their environment.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required along with a caption. Do not submit URL link or PDF file.

5C. Sports Game/Action Photo

Captures the competitive action and emotion of athletes on school teams competing in games, matches and meets or in personal, non-team sports.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required along with a caption. Do not submit URL link or PDF file.

5D. Sports Feature Photo

Images communicate a story other than direct action on the playing field including human-interest sports stories such as profiles of sports figures.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required along with a caption. Do not submit URL link or PDF file.

5E. Environmental Portrait

Posed images of one or more individuals taken in their natural surroundings to provide insight into their work, interests or personality.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required along with a caption. Do not submit URL link or PDF file.

6. Cartoon of the Year

6A. Editorial Cartoon

Typically printed on the editorial page or other opinion pages and often communicates an opinion on a subject presented in an accompanying editorial or other timely topic in the news. GIFs or multimedia editorial cartoons are allowed in this category.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

6B. Comic Strip/Panel

Usually but not always humorous or light-hearted in its message, with a recurring theme or cast of characters. Comics are fictional and for entertainment. An installment of the comic strip counts as a separate entry.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link for online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.

7. Advertisement of the Year

7A. Print Advertisement

A single advertisement of any size designed by student(s) and published in an ACP-member print publication for a client or for self promotion. The ad can be in black and white or in color.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: PDF file of printed page containing the advertisement.

7B. Digital Advertisement

A single advertisement of any size designed by student(s) and published by an ACP-member website, app or email newsletter for an advertising client or self promotion. The advertisement can be static or animated. 

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link.

7C. Video Advertisement

A single video advertisement produced by student(s) for an advertising client or self promotion. The advertisement should have run on an ACP-member website, app or YouTube.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

7D. Audio Advertisement

A single video advertisement produced by student(s) for an advertising client or self promotion. The advertisement should have run on an ACP-member website, podcast or radio station.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

7E. Newspaper Special Section/Advertising

A special advertising edition/section of the newspaper designed to generate revenue and provide sponsored feature content. Options include back-to-school, homecoming, orientation, welcome-back editions, holiday gift guides, fashion, housing guides and “best of” publications.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member newspaper.

Submission: PDF file of special section or URL link to PDF.

7F. Media Kit

Designed by student(s) for a student media operation. The media kit tells the story of your products, services and your marketplace. 

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet

Submission: URL link or PDF file. Do not submit both.

NEW //  7G. Social Media Campaign

Designed by student(s), a series of 3-5 advertisements created for an advertising client or your student media company. The campaign can be focused on one social media platform or across multiple platforms. If it is across multiple platforms, show how you adapted the campaign for each platform. Provide this in a PDF document, showing each ad, and also a screenshot of the engagement of each ad in the platform. Write a brief description (100-200 words) on the idea behind the entire campaign, the strategy in scheduling and how you measured results.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: PDF file containing active links.

NEW // 7H. Best Graphic Designer

Show off your portfolio. Curate your best work for this entry. Our judges want to see the wide breadth of your skills. We want you to integrate your personality into a PDF portfolio for this entry. Your portfolio presentation is a great way to show us your style, and what makes you unique as a designer. What should be included in your portfolio:

A cover letter introducing yourself and answering these questions: 

• Why do you love design and why did you choose it as your major?
• What is your creative process? Where do you find inspiration?
• What makes the designer role in a media organization so important?
• What are your career goals? 

A letter of recommendation from your adviser; a student media professional staff member; an instructor or mentor; a student manager or an advertising client who can best tell us about you and your advertising design skills.

A résumé with a link to your online portfolio. Online portfolios offer us another look into non-client or side work, because the best work doesn’t always get into a client campaign or student media product.

Ten examples of published work. Examples can be for student media or clients including: print, digital, social or out-of-home campaigns or ads; client promotional materials such as business cards, brochures, menus, signage, etc; media company promotional campaigns or ads for print, digital, social or out-of-home; Media company event flyers, sales materials and media kits are also acceptable. A campaign is considered one example, so if the campaign included multiple ads on various platforms, submit them all. If your multi-media examples include animation, gifs, mp4, etc. you can activate links to them through your PDF document, which the judges can then follow to see animation/video.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: A single PDF file containing active links.

NEW //  7I. Best Advertising Representative

Show off your portfolio. Design it to sell yourself as the best at what you do.  Your portfolio presentation is a great way to show your style, and what sets you apart as an advertising professional. What should be included in your portfolio:

A cover letter introducing yourself and answering these questions: 

• What have you learned as an advertising representative for student media?
• What do you think makes you a good advertising representative? 
• How do you stay motivated in the challenging world of sales?
• What is your biggest success story in working with clients?
• What will you take with you from this experience into your next job?

A letter of recommendation from your adviser; a student media professional staff member; an instructor or mentor; a student manager or an advertising client who can best tell us about you and your advertising design skills.

A résumé. 

Your sales history for the last year. List clients you have running, what they are spending, and the percentage change in sales from last year to this year. This gives us a feel for the variety of accounts you manage and your ability to keep them advertising with your student media, and how you develop new clients.

Examples of what makes you an outstanding advertising representative. (Up to 5 pages). This could include your sales logs/tracking system for clients; goal sheets; examples of client work; sales presentations/pitches to clients and/or awards.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: A single PDF file containing active links.

8. Best Use of Social Media

8A. Social Media Reporting

Coverage using social media platforms for reporting, updating and engaging with the collegiate community. Collect all social media examples using an online content curation tool or by capturing screenshots with links to create a portfolio.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link to portfolio or PDF file of the portfolio. Do not submit both.

8B. Social Media Promotion

Use of social media platforms for promoting traffic to an online site, broadcast or print news publication or to promote the sale of the yearbook. Collect all social media examples using an online content curation tool or by capturing screenshots with links to create a portfolio.

Number of Entries: One entry per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: URL link to portfolio or PDF file of the portfolio. Do not submit both.

9. Broadcast Story of the Year

9A. Broadcast News Story

Reporting on breaking news or an issue of importance to your audience that demonstrates strong news-gathering skills while delivering concise information.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

9B. Broadcast Feature Story

Personality profiles or human-interest general features.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

9C. Broadcast Sports Story

Coverage of past or present games or a seasonal summary, may also include profiles of sports personalities or human-interest sports features.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

9D. Broadcast Commentary

An editorial segment designed to inform and persuade an audience.

Number of Entries: Two entries per ACP-member media outlet.

Submission: Website URL link.

ACP’s Best of Show competition is presented as part of each fall national convention and spring national conference.

It’s a popular, lively competition open to convention registrants, with an entry fee and a range of competition categories for current student work. 

The current convention’s webpage will post that convention’s Best of Show contest rules, rates, eligibility and submission guidelines. Links to convention webpages are at right, as well as on the ACP Events page. 

Entries for Best of Show Individual Recognition categories are submitted online prior to the convention, and Staff Recognition categories are entered on site at the convention. Judging is completed during the convention, and ranked winners are announced and posted at the close of the convention. Best of Show provides no written critiques or scoring rubrics.

Typically smaller and distinct from the Pacemakers, the Best of Show awards do not signify a ranking of national excellence but rather overall excellence among the attendees and their entries. Convention attendance drives the number of entries and places awarded.

Open to all ACP members, Clips & Clicks offers multiple categories for student achievement in broadcast, design, photojournalism and writing. 

With a name that merges historic clips contests for print publications with current digital clicks, the competition is offered per semester. Fall-semester and spring-semester results then determine the annual Sweepstakes Award going to the publication with the most and highest individual winners.

The cost is $10 per entry, with no limit on entries. Any student on staff at an NSPA-member publication is eligible, with shared bylines of up to five students per entry.

Fall-semester work encompasses August to December with fall winners announced in February. Spring-semester work encompasses January to March, with spring winners and the Sweepstakes Award announced in July.