NSPA Contest Rules
The contests sponsored by NSPA are the most-competitive, most-honored prizes in scholastic journalism.
The prestigious Pacemaker recognizes overall excellence and distinguishes the top student media produced during a particular school year.
The 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 the twice-yearly National High School Journalism Convention.
Participation in the Pacemaker and Individual Awards competition is a benefit of NSPA membership. Membership also provides a reduced fee for convention Best of Show entries.
Contest 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 NSPA critique service.
NSPA Pacemaker
Since 1927, NSPA has presented scholastic journalism’s preeminent award — the Pacemaker. There is a contest for each media type, linked to the information below —
Pacemakers / 2023
High school and junior high/middle school student media are both eligible and compete in separate categories.
Participation in the Pacemaker contest is a benefit of NSPA membership.
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 NSPA Critique Service.
Pacemakers / 2022
Broadcast
OPEN
DEADLINE: June 24, 2022
TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.
Submit a URL link to an online site 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 three full, student-produced news programs as they originally ran for their audience should be entered:
- One broadcast news program that aired between Aug. 2 and Dec. 24, 2021.
- One broadcast news program that aired between Jan. 1 and June 24, 2022.
- One broadcast news program that aired between Aug. 2, 2021, and June 24, 2022.
Finalists will be announced in October 2022. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, Nov. 10-13, 2022, in St. Louis.
Newspaper/Newsmagazine
OPEN
DEADLINE: June 24, 2022
TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.
A complete PDF file should be submitted for each issue. Single-page PDF files will not be accepted. The following issues should be entered:
- Four issues published between Aug. 2, 2021, and June 24, 2022.
- A special edition can be included in the four issues submitted. A special edition should provide a comprehensive look into a relevant, timely and often complex topic. A special edition should be a showcase for robust, in-depth reporting. Judges do not relax their high journalistic standards for April Fools or Senior issues.
- If fewer than four issues are published, submit all the issues published during the 2021-22 school year. The judges will determine what effect, if any, publishing fewer than four issues will have on your entry.
- Because of the publishing challenges posed by COVID-19, issues published on a digital flipbook platform like Issuu, rather than printed, will be acceptable.
Finalists will be announced in October 2022. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, Nov. 10-13, 2022, in St. Louis.
Specialty Magazine
OPEN
DEADLINE: June 24, 2022
TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.
Specialty magazines provide in-depth, long-form stories focused on timely topics/issues relevant to your audience.
All the content of the specialty magazine should focus on the topic/issue. A specialty magazine has its own identity and name and it is not a special edition of a newspaper/newsmagazine. Topical magazines such as sports, science, business or entertainment also compete in this category.
Literary arts and newsmagazines do not compete in this category. Judges reserve the right to move your entry to the Newsmagazine contest if appropriate.
A complete PDF file should be submitted for each issue. The following issues should be entered:
- Four issues published between Aug. 2, 2021, and June 24, 2022.
- If fewer than four issues are published, submit all the issues published during the 2021-22 school year. The judges will determine what effect, if any, publishing fewer than four issues will have on your entry.
- Because of the publishing challenges posed by COVID-19, issues published on a digital flipbook platform like Issuu, rather than printed, will be acceptable. In this case, a complete PDF file should still be entered rather than a URL link.
Finalists will be announced in October 2022. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, Nov. 10-13, 2022, in St. Louis.
Yearbook
OPEN
DEADLINE: Nov. 3, 2022
TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.
A print yearbook should be entered and arrive at NSPA by the deadline date.
If participating in the NSPA Critique Service, NSPA requires a second copy of the yearbook for Pacemaker competition and suggests you ship both yearbooks at the same time.
NSPA recommends shipping both copies of the yearbook together using Priority Mail from the U.S. Postal Service. Take two copies of the yearbook to the U.S. Post Office where you will use a Medium Flat Rate Box-2 (side-loading) provided free. It will cost approximately $16.10 to ship.
Media Mail from the U.S. Postal Service does NOT allow the shipment of yearbooks. The U.S. Post Office serving the NSPA offices will not deliver the Media Mail package. In about four weeks, it will be returned.
FedEx has not been dependable delivering to the office building where NSPA is located. If possible, use the U.S. Postal Service or UPS,
Ship yearbooks to:
NSPA Yearbook Pacemaker
2829 University Ave. SE / Suite 720
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Finalists will be announced in December 2022. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, April 20-22, 2023, in San Francisco.
Literary Arts Magazine
OPEN
DEADLINE: Nov. 3, 2022
TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.
Submit a complete PDF file containing all of the pages should be submitted.
Magazines with special techniques such as short trims, foldouts, die cuts, lamination, specialty paper stocks and distinctive packaging are encouraged to submit a print publication in addition to a PDF file.
The following should be entered:
- One issue published between Aug. 2, 2021, and June 24, 2022.
- Because of the publishing challenges posed by COVID-19, a magazine published on a digital flipbook platform like Issuu, rather than printed, will be acceptable.
- Finalists will be announced in February 2023. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, April 20-22, 2023, in San Francisco.
Pacemakers / 2023
Online
OPEN
DEADLINE: Nov. 3, 2022
TO ENTER: Visit the membership portal under the Contests tab.
Submit a URL link. On Nov. 7, 2022, judging teams will begin reviewing the online sites on a regular basis.
Finalists will be announced in February 2023. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, April 20-22, 2023, in San Francisco.
Innovation
OPEN
DEADLINE: Jan. 14, 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.
Create a PDF packet, a website, a video, a podcast — whatever works best to deliver your story and supporting information. Provide examples and documentation as appropriate. Careful editing and visual packaging are important. For complete information on preparing your application packet, download the PDF.
Finalists will be announced in February 2023. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, April 20-22, 2023, in San Francisco.
Individual Awards
NSPA Individual Awards honor the nation’s best scholastic journalism — in a wide range of categories.
The awards are presented to individuals and small teams and submitted using the Better BNC award platform. Participation in the Individual Awards is a benefit of NSPA membership.
For high school journalists, there are approximately 44 contests in 10 categories, linked to their sections below —
- Broadcast Story of the Year (4 contests)
- Cartoon of the Year (2)
- Design of the Year (10)
- Digital Story of the Year (7)
- Photo of the Year (5)
- Story of the Year (5)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards (NEW) (1)
- Local Climate Change Reporting (1)
- Portfolio of the Year (7)
- Best Use of Social Media (2)
All Minnesota high school media belonging to NSPA are automatically members of Minnesota High School Press Association. Entries submitted for the Gold Medallion Awards may also be entered in the NSPA Individual Awards.
Junior high/middle school journalists compete in five contests in this category:
2022 Individual Awards
CURRENTLY OPEN
DEADLINE: June 24, 2022, 5 p.m. CT
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 NSPA-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 26, 2021, and June 24, 2022. The contest is open only to student media with a current NSPA membership as of the contest deadline. Any student on the staff of an NSPA-member media outlet is eligible to enter. The entry must be published in the NSPA-member student media. The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion contest does not require NSPA membership.
Middle school/junior high NSPA member broadcast, publication and website should enter Junior High/Middle School Individual Awards (category 12). All other categories are for high school members.
ENTRY FEE: For the 2021-22 school year, participation in the Individual Awards is included in NSPA membership. Starting next school year (2022-23), participation in the Individual Awards is $99 in addition to NSPA membership.
DEADLINE: The website for award submission will be closed at 5 p.m. CT June 24, 2022. The deadline will not be reopened.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Finalists will be announced by September 2022. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Nov. 10-14, in St. Louis. NSPA recognizes finalists and winners in its publication and on its websites and social media sites. NSPA 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 NSPA Individual Awards should be directed to Gary Lundgren, NSPA 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. Broadcast Story of the Year
1A. 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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
1B. Broadcast Feature Story
Personality profiles or human-interest general features.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
1C. 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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
1D. Broadcast Commentary
An editorial segment designed to inform and persuade an audience.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
2. Cartoon of the Year
2A. 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. Each installment of the comic strip counts as a separate entry.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page. Do not submit both.
2B. 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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page. Do not submit both.
3. Design of the Year
3A. Newspaper Front Page
First page featuring dynamic nameplate and compelling verbal and visual content.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school newspaper. A publication cannot enter both Newspaper and Newsmagazine categories.
Submission: PDF file of printed page.
3B. 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 NSPA-member high school newspaper. A publication cannot enter both Newspaper (3A, 3B) and Newsmagazine (3C, 3D) categories.
Submission: PDF file of printed page(s).
3C. Newsmagazine Cover
First page featuring dynamic nameplate and compelling verbal and visual content.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school newsmagazine. A publication cannot enter both Newspaper (3A, 3B) and Newsmagazine (3C, 3D) categories.
Submission: PDF file of cover.
3D. Newsmagazine 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 NSPA-member high school newsmagazine. A publication cannot enter both Newspaper (3A, 3B) and Newsmagazine (3C, 3D) categories.
Submission: PDF file of printed page(s).
3E. Literary/Specialty Magazine Cover
First page featuring dynamic nameplate and compelling verbal and visual content.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school magazine.
Submission: PDF file of cover.
3F. Literary/Specialty Magazine Page/Spread
Single-page or spread entries that display verbal/visual content intended to be viewed without the facing page or two facing pages that together display a single verbal/visual story or a package of related content.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school magazine.
Submission: PDF file of printed page(s).
3G. Yearbook Spread
Facing pages that together display a single verbal/visual story or a collection of related content.
In the case of chronological coverage, the content is from a clearly labeled period of time. Spreads such as opening, closing and dividers must be entered in contest 3H. Yearbook Theme Package.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school yearbook.
Submission: PDF file of printed page(s).
3H. Yearbook Theme Package
This package includes cover, endsheets, title page, opening, closing, divider and final/parting page presented together as a portfolio and compiled into a single file.
Number of Entries: One entry per NSPA-member high school yearbook.
Submission: PDF file of the theme portfolio. If the PDF file is too large to upload, submit a URL link to the PDF file on a shared drive taking care that permissions allow judge access.
3I. 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. Credit must be provided for any images used.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page. Do not submit both.
3J. 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. Credit must be provided for any images used.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page. Do not submit both.
4. Digital Story of the Year
4A. Multimedia News Story
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, entry must include audio, video, slideshows, interactive content (maps, timelines, etc.) or animation. Credit must be provided for any images used.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
4B. Multimedia Feature Story
Personality profiles, trend stories or human-interest stories; not news or sports. In addition to text and images, entry must include audio, video, slideshows, interactive content (maps, timelines, etc.) or animation. Credit must be provided for any images used.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
4C. Multimedia Sports Story
Coverage of games or seasonal summary, 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. Credit must be provided for any images used.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
4D. Photo Slideshow
A photo story on a single subject with each photo communicating a different angle. Captions and photo credits must be included for every image. All images should be the work of student photographers.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
4E. 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. Credit must be provided for any images used.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
4F. Podcast
Delivers relevant content through engaging audio storytelling and should appear on your media outlet’s NSPA-member website.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
4G. Blog
Must reflect journalistic standards in topics, coverage and writing and should appear on your media outlet’s NSPA-member website.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
5. Photo of the Year
5A. News Photo
Captures a timely visual story and displays news value and evidence of on-the-spot coverage.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high media outlet.
Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required and a complete journalistic caption must be typed into the entry form. Do not submit URL link or PDF file — they will be disqualified.
5B. Feature Photo
Delivers a human-interest story with the emphasis on people in their environment.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high media outlet.
Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required and a complete journalistic caption must be typed into the entry form. Do not submit URL link or PDF file — they will be disqualified.
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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required and a complete journalistic caption must be typed into the entry form. Do not submit URL link or PDF file — they will be disqualified.
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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required and a complete journalistic caption must be typed into the entry form. Do not submit URL link or PDF file — they will be disqualified.
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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required and an identification/caption must be typed into the entry form. Do not submit URL link or PDF file — they will be disqualified.
6. Story of the Year
6A. News Story
Reporting on breaking news or an issue of importance to your audience that demonstrates strong news-gathering skills and delivers concise information.
The first-place winner in the Story of the Year categories (News Story, Feature Story, Sports Story, Editorial and Opinion) compete for the $1,000 Brasler Prize.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page(s). Do not submit both.
6B. Feature Story
Personality profiles or human-interest general features.
The first-place winner in the Story of the Year categories (News Story, Feature Story, Sports Story, Editorial and Opinion) compete for the $1,000 Brasler Prize.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page(s). Do not submit both.
6C. Sports Story
Coverage of past or present games or a seasonal summary, may also include profiles of sports personalities or human-interest sports features.
The first-place winner in the Story of the Year categories (News Story, Feature Story, Sports Story, Editorial and Opinion) compete for the $1,000 Brasler Prize.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page(s). Do not submit both.
6D. Editorial
The statement of the publication’s opinion supported by fact. Editorials generally do not have bylines.
The first-place winner in the Story of the Year categories (News Story, Feature Story, Sports Story, Editorial and Opinion) compete for the $1,000 Brasler Prize.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page(s). Do not submit both.
6E. Opinion
Columns or bylined opinion pieces providing research and personal insights and anecdotes.
The first-place winner in the Story of the Year categories (News Story, Feature Story, Sports Story, Editorial and Opinion) compete for the $1,000 Brasler Prize.
Number of Entries: Two entries per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page(s). Do not submit both.
7. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
NEW // 7A. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Reporting
The University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication has joined the National Scholastic Press Association in launching the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion competition.
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 high school entries, NSPA membership not required.
Submission: URL link for broadcast and online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.
8. Local Climate Change
8A. 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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: URL link for broadcast and online or PDF file for print. Do not submit both.
9. Portfolio of the Year
9A. Artist of the Year
Each member high school media outlet may nominate one person. Portfolio includes a one-page statement from the nominee explaining contributions and what was learned. Portfolio features five original pieces of print, digital or multi-media art including editorial cartoons and comic strips featuring the nominee’s talents published this year along with one to three sentences describing each piece.
Number of Entries: One entry per NSPA-member high media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of portfolio. Do not submit both.
9B. Broadcast Journalist of the Year
Each member high school media outlet may nominate one person. Portfolio includes a one-page statement from the nominee explaining contributions and what was learned.
Portfolio features five original broadcast stories featuring the nominee’s talents published this year along with one to three sentences describing each piece.
Number of Entries: One entry per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of portfolio. Do not submit both.
9C. Designer of the Year
Each member high school media outline may nominate one person. Portfolio includes a one-page statement from the nominee explaining contributions and what was learned. Portfolio features five original designs featuring the nominee’s talents published this school year along with one to three sentences describing each piece. Entries may include complete spreads, pages, advertisements, covers, informational graphics, sidebars, etc. from print, web or video.
Number of Entries: One entry per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of portfolio. Do not submit both.
9D. Marketer of the Year
Each member high school media outlet may nominate one person. Portfolio includes a one-page statement from the nominee explaining contributions and what was learned.
Portfolio features a detailed marketing plan that was implemented this year with results documented.
Number of Entries: One entry per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of portfolio. Do not submit both.
9E. Multimedia Journalist of the Year
Each member high school media outlet may nominate one person. Portfolio includes a one-page statement from the nominee explaining contributions and what was learned. Portfolio features five stories featuring the nominee’s talents published this school year along with one to three sentences describing each piece. In addition to text and images, multimedia entries must include audio, video, slideshows, interactive content (maps, timelines, etc.) and animation as part of each robust story package.
Number of Entries: One entry per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of portfolio. Do not submit both.
9F. Photojournalist of the Year
Each member high school media outlet may nominate one person. Portfolio includes a one-page statement from the nominee explaining contributions and what was learned. Portfolio features five images featuring the nominee’s talents published this school year along with one to three sentences describing each piece. Captions must be published with the images and included as part of the entry.
Number of Entries: One entry per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of portfolio. Do not submit both.
9G. Writer of the Year
Each member high school media outlet may nominate one person. Portfolio includes a one-page statement from the nominee explaining contributions and what was learned. Portfolio features five pieces of journalistic writing featuring the nominee’s talents published this school year.
Number of Entries: One entry per NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of portfolio. Do not submit both.
10. Best Use of Social Media
10A. Social Media Reporting
Coverage using social media platforms for reporting, updating and engaging with the school community. Collect 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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link to portfolio or PDF portfolio. Do not submit both.
10B. 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 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 NSPA-member high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link to portfolio or PDF portfolio. Do not submit both.
11. MHSPA Gold Medallion Awards
This category is available only for members of the Minnesota High School Press Association. All Minnesota high school media belonging to NSPA are automatically members of MHSPA. Entries submitted for the Gold Medallion Awards may also be entered in the NSPA Individual Awards.
The MHSPA Gold Medallion Awards features 24 individual contests in seven categories — broadcast, literary arts magazine, newspaper/newsmagazine, online, photojournalism, social media and yearbook.
12. Junior High/Middle School Individual Awards
Two categories have been added specifically for junior high/middle school journalists.
12A. Design of the Year
A single page or spread from literary magazine, newspaper/newsmagazine or yearbook.
Number of Entries: Five entries per NSPA-member middle school/junior high media outlet.
Submission: PDF file of printed page(s). Middle school/junior high only.
12B. Story of the Year
A news story or feature story appearing in a newspaper/newsmagazine, website or yearbook.
Number of Entries: Five entries per NSPA-member middle school/junior high media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link or PDF file of printed page(s). Do not submit both.
NEW // 12C. Broadcast Story of the Year
A news, feature or sports story aired by broadcast station or website.
Number of Entries: Five entries per NSPA-member middle school/junior high media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
NEW // 12D. Multimedia Story of the Year
News, features or sports stories that demonstrate strong reporting skills and delivers concise information. In addition to text and images, entry must include audio, video, slideshows, interactive content (maps, timelines, etc.) or animation. Credit must be provided for any images used.
Number of Entries: Five entries per NSPA-member middle school/junior high school media outlet.
Submission: Website URL link.
12E. Photo of the Year
News, feature or sports photo appearing in a literary magazine, newspaper/newsmagazine, website or yearbook. A caption is required.
Five entries per NSPA-member middle school/junior high media outlet.
Submission: An image file (JPG, TIF, PNG) is required and a complete journalistic caption must be typed into the entry form. Do not submit URL link or PDF file — they will be disqualified.
Best of Show
OPENS PRIOR TO NSPA CONVENTIONS
The Best of Show contest ranks the best student media represented at the twice-yearly National High School Journalism Convention.
This competition, which invites submissions from convention registrants, offers categories, deadlines and submission instructions announced on the convention site. Winners are announced during the convention.
The Best of Show award does not signify a national ranking, but rather excellence among the entries represented at the convention.
Consult the current convention website for eligibility, rules, categories and deadlines. Access the website via the NSPA events page. Past Best of Show awards are available in the NSPA awards archive.