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The Kansas Scholastic Press Association will recognize the best individuals in Kansas scholastic journalism in four different categories based on their submitted portfolios. These contests — in design, photojournalism, video and reporting — are open to any student journalist on a staff with a current KSPA membership. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2025.
The contests were launched in 2020 by the KSPA board to help recognize some the excellent and specialized student journalists in Kansas.
Divisions will be 1A/2A, 3A/4A and 5A/6A. A winner will be named from each division. An overall winner will be selected for writer, designer, videographer and photojournalist.
- All images, videos, articles and designs must have been created between Aug. 1, 2023 and March 29, 2024.
- All submitted materials must be the sole work of the entrant — no shared bylines or group projects.
- Limit two entries per category per school.
- Submissions are free.
- Entries will be judged by advisers or former advisers who did not teach in the state of Kansas.
- Winners will be announced in advance of the state contest and recognized with a plaque.
- THIS IS NOT A CRITIQUE SERVICE: students will not receive feedback on their entries to the contests.
KSPA reserves the right to publish entrants’ work. These contests are not associated with Kansas Journalist of the Year.
All entries will be submitted online forms, which can be found below for each category. Contestants will receive a confirmation email when their application is received.
Portfolio must feature five original designs by the contestant. Entries may include complete spreads, pages, advertisements, covers, informational graphics, sidebars, etc. from print, web or video.
Portfolio must feature five pieces of journalistic writing showcasing the student’s contributions published this school year. Of those entries, one may be an opinion piece such as an editorial, column or review. The remainder — or all five samples — should be reported pieces, such as breaking news, general news, feature writing, investigative reporting, sports reporting or lifestyle reporting.
Portfolio must feature five to eight images published this school year along with complete captions. Captions must be published with the images and included as part of the entry.
Portfolio must feature five packages that may highlight the videographer’s skills in the areas of storytelling, filming and editing and have been broadcast in the current school year.