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The Kansas Professional Communicators and KSPA are happy to work together again this year to sponsor the 2010 All-Kansas Write-Off competition.

The All-Kansas Write-Off allows student journalists to compete in 24 categories. Categories eligible for national competition are editorial, opinion, news story, feature story, sports story, columns, feature photo, sports photo, cartooning, review, graphics, single-page layout, double-truck layout, environment.

Three new national categories are video news story, video feature story and video sports story.

The All-Kansas Write-Off also offers categories for statewide competition only. These are yearbook categories of double-page spread, copy writing and photography, as well as desktop categories of informational graphic or chart, feature headline and logo.

You can read more about the contest and enter by downloading this PDF. The entry form is on page 4.

Experienced judges who know the educational benefits of constructive criticism evaluate the entries. Our goal? Helpful, easy-to-understand comments on each entry.

At the state level, first, second and third place winners are selected, as well as honorable mention. All first-place winners in national categories are forwarded for competition in the National Federation of
Press Women High School Communications Competition.

General requirements for entries:

• Entries must be the work of students enrolled in Grades 9-12 during the current school year or the last semester of the senior year for students’ work published after the current deadline.
• All work must have been completed between March 1, 2009, and Jan. 31, 2010.
• Students may submit one entry per category (except where a category requires multiple samples); students are welcome to enter as many categories as they wish. Students should decide which category best fits, as each piece may only be entered in one category.
• Publication in a high school or community newspaper, printed and/or electronic (online) is eligible; entries created for school television or online broadcast are eligible for video categories.
• For printed publications, submit two tear sheets (the entire page on which the article or graphic appears) for each entry (including two copies of each of three columns in the personal column category); either an original or a photocopy is fine. For online publications, submit two copies of the article including the URL and date of publication. For televised or online video, submit a DVD with the entry. In the column category, submit three entries, two consecutive and any third one.
• On print entries, indicate which article or photo is to be considered by circling it with a marker or highlighter.
• Submit an actual black-and-white photograph for the yearbook photography competition but also provide the required published copy of the photograph. Judging is based on composition, not the reproduction of the photograph in the newspaper.
• Cartoon and desktop publishing entries that illustrate stories, features, photo packages or theme concepts must include additional support materials. For an informational chart, or feature headline, also send a photocopy of the related story and/or photograph. In addition to a logo send a photocopy of its yearbook cover or division page. This will help ensure relevant, equitable evaluation. Stand-alone informational charts need no supplemental materials.
• If an entry is the work of more than one student, all names should be on the entry form. An entry with co-authors counts as a single entry for each student. Neither student may submit an additional entry in that same category.
• Entry forms and student work should be paper-clipped together — NO staples, sleeves or binders, please!
• Contest fees cost $5 for each entry for KSPA member schools and $7 per entry for non-member schools.
• All entries must be postmarked on or before Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, and mailed to All-Kansas Write-Off, c/o Linda Drake, P.O. Box 356, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845. If desired, include a self-addressed postcard to verify entries were received by the deadline.
• Address questions to Linda Drake at the address above, (620) 273-6700 (home) or (620) 273-6354 (school), or Gwendolynne Larson, The Emporia Gazette, P.O. Drawer C, Emporia, KS 66801, (620) 342-4841 Ext. 219 (work) or (620) 443-5052 (home).
• The contest coordinator reserves the right to disqualify entries for rule violations, including multiple entries in a single contest category, entries with tampered dates, etc. Improperly submitted entries will be disqualified and entry fees will NOT be refunded. Entries that are not legible will also be disqualified, so please type or print clearly.