Work submitted should be created for and published through
your school’s 2022-2023 newspaper, yearbook, website or broadcast.
Newspaper Categories | ||
Category | Description | Submission Details |
N1: Editorial | Editorial writing should have a clear style and purpose. The writer should attempt to influence an action and/or change in opinion. The writer should demonstrate solid reasoning and a clear point of view. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
N2: News Story | News writing should provide accurate information on events that affect the school and/or local community. The story should provide the context of the event. News writing should be concise and tell a complete, factual story. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
N3: Sports Story | Sports writing should provide accurate information on a specific sporting event, team and/or season. The story should be unbiased, and should provide information on what happened in a game or season, along with analysis of the success and/or failure. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
N4: Feature Story | Feature writing should tell someone’s story. It should have a narrative feel and provide detail using quotes. Feature writing should demonstrate original writing and in-depth reporting. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
N5: Column or Commentary | A column or commentary should be an insightful, unique twist on a topic that has or should have the attention of a community. While support facts are helpful, a column or commentary relies more on anecdotes or arguments to persuade the audience. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
N6: Critical Review | A review goes beyond a mere summary to give readers a fair, researched critique of an event or product. Vivid details are a critical ingredient. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
N7: Multiple Spread Coverage of a Single Topic | An in-depth look at a single topic, this category will be judged on both writing and design. The information can come from a single issue or multiple issues of your newspaper/newsmagazine. | Submit up to four PDFs; no single PDF can be larger than 25 MB *Can from the same or from Multiple Issues *Should be submitted as one file |
N8: Overall Design | One issue of your newspaper/newsmagazine that displays dynamic design throughout the pages as well as basic design elements such as consistent type, folios and columns with photos and graphics to add to the visual appeal of the publication. | Submit a PDF of 25 MB OR Submit a URL *Should be submitted as one file |
N9: Multiple Page Design | More than one page (and up to four pages) of your newspaper/newsmagazine with a cohesive design that display dynamic design throughout the pages as well as basic design elements such as consistent type, folios and columns with graphics to add to the visual appeal of the publication. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less *Should be submitted as one file |
N10: Single Page Design | One page of your newspaper/newsmagazine that displays dynamic design as well as the basic elements such as consistent type, folios and columns. Not a double-truck. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less |
N11: Infographic Design | A visual image such as a chart or diagram used to represent information or data. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less |
N12: Original Art | The hand-generated piece showcases the artist’s ability and creativity using various tools like pencil, charcoal or paint. Digital tools may be used, but should be an original, non-editorial creation of the artist. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less *Submit either a standalone art file or a PDF of the art with correlating story. |
N13: Editorial Cartoon | The cartoon makes a specific editorial point and demonstrates the cartoonist’s artistic ability and creativity. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less *Submit either a standalone cartoon or a PDF of the cartoon with correlating story. |
N14: Photo Illustration | Posed/edited photo that accompanies a story and helps tell the story in a way a candid photo could not. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less |
N15: Sports Reaction Photo | Candid photo in which the subject reacts to the peak action. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less |
N16: News/Feature Photo | Candid photo which accompanies a news/feature story and provides more context/detail where words cannot. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less |
N17: Sports Action Photo | Candid photo which captures peak action. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less |
Yearbook Categories | ||
Category | Description | Submission Details |
Y1: Four-Part Theme Presentation | Cover, title page, opening and division pages that display dynamic design throughout as well as basic design elements such as consistent type, folios and visuals which add to the appeal of the publication. | Submit up to four PDFs; no single PDF can be larger than 25 MB |
Y2: Feature Copy | Feature writing should tell someone’s story. It should have a narrative feel and provide detail using quotes. Feature writing should demonstrate original writing and in-depth reporting. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
Y3: Profile Copy | A profile focuses on a single person or very small, tight-knit group. Colorful quotes, vivid details, and original insights that depict a unique personality are key ingredients. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
Y4: Sports Copy | A yearbook sports story should pull readers back into the action and possibly also pull them into the emotions of the huddle or practice field. Details help, but should not bog down the feelings associated with the season. | Submit a Text File of 2 MB or less (.doc, .docx, .txt) |
Y5: Best Overall Traditional Design in a Single Spread | A spread where the content and design works together to cover an overall topic using the basics of yearbook design, such as dominant elements, good typography and planned white space. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less *Be sure to export as double-page spread. |
Y6: Best Overall Chronological Design in a Single Spread | A spread containing packages that focus on different and not necessarily related topics that occurred during a specific time period that gives a polished, professional look. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less *Be sure to export as double-page spread. |
Y7: Student Life Design | A spread that’s a showstopper spread covering some aspect of student life in your school. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less *Be sure to export as double-page spread. |
Y8: Sports Design | A spread focusing on student athletic activities on and/or off campus. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less *Be sure to export as double-page spread. |
Y9: Secondary Coverage | A package that adds additional information about a coverage topic; also known as infographics, alt. coverage or mods. | Submit a PDF of 10 MB or less *Submit only the secondary coverage NOT the entire spread. |
Y10: Photo Illustration | Posed/edited photo that accompanies a story and helps tell the story in a way a candid photo could not. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less |
Y11: Environmental Portrait | This category is for an image of one or more individuals, taken in their natural surroundings to provide insight into their work, interests or personality. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less *Submit photo only. |
Y12: Feature Photo | Candid photo which tells a story of an event, activity, or people at your school. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less |
Y13: Sports Action Photo | Candid photo which captures peak action. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less |
Y14: Sports Reaction Photo | Candid photo in which the subject reacts to the peak action. | Submit a JPG of 10 MB or less |
Online Categories | ||
Category | Description | Submission Details |
O1: Entire Site | Overall impression of website at time of judging, including navigation, content, design, photos, use of media, etc. | Submit a URL |
O2: Multimedia Package | A package that utilizes at least two types of media to tell a story (text, photos, graphics, audio and/or video). | Submit a URL |
O3: Blogging | A blog should include at least three different opinion pieces from the same writer(s), focused on a specific topic or topics. Can also be in video format (i.e. vlog). | Submit a URL |
O4: Online Photo Gallery | A set of images displayed in an online photo gallery. Navigation is easy for the user and appropriate context is provided for the photos through captions or other writing to give the user background information on the topic or event. | Submit a URL |
O5: Breaking News Content | Breaking news writing should provide accurate information on events that affect the school and/or local community. The story should provide the context of the event and be published within 24 hours of the event. | Submit a URL |
O6: Breaking Sports Content | Breaking sports writing should provide accurate information on sporting events relating directly to the school and/or local community. The story should be published within 24 hours of the event and include stats and final score (if applicable). | Submit a URL |
O7: Social Media | Enter by submitting a social media outlet, such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Judge will choose a time block of up to a week in the judging period to look at the media feed for content. | Submit a Username |
Broadcast Categories | ||
Category | Description | Submission Details |
B1: Feature Story | Broadcast feature story should tell someone’s story. It should have a narrative feel, provide detail and should include in-depth reporting from multiple sources. | Submit a URL |
B2: News Story | Broadcast news story should provide accurate information on events that affect the school and/or local community. The story should provide the context of the event. Writing should be concise and tell a complete, factual story. | Submit a URL |
B3: Sports Feature | Broadcast sports feature story should tell a story, whether that is a person, a team, a game, or the season. It should have a narrative feel, provide detail and should include in-depth reporting from multiple sources. | Submit a URL |
B4: Live Sports Broadcast | Live sports broadcast production. | Submit a URL *Maximum length of five minutes. |
B5: Sports Highlights | Sports highlights that recap a season or a game. Sports highlights should communicate the action and statistics in a memorable and creative way. | Submit a URL *Maximum length of 2 minutes |
B6: PSA | A clip created for an intended audience that is effective in educating, persuading or moving them to action. | Submit a URL *Maximum length of 30 seconds. |
B7: Show Opening | Should include the name of the school and catch the viewer’s attention. | Submit a URL *Maximum length of 30 seconds. |
B8: Anchoring | A highlight package of an anchoring team. Judges will be looking for eye contact, pacing, enunciation, emoting, professional appearance/dress. | Submit a URL *Maximum length of 2 minutes. |
B9: Announcements | Each member school can submit TWO of the three options for overall broadcast. Student anchors read announcements. | Submit a URL |
B10: Announcements/Video | Each member school can submit TWO of the three options for overall broadcast. Student anchors read announcements mixed with video coverage. | Submit a URL |
B11: Newsmagazine | Each member school can submit TWO of the three options for overall broadcast. Student anchors introduce video coverage; no announcements are read. | Submit a URL |
Scholarships | ||
Scholarship | Description | Submission Details |
S1: Dunlap | This award is in honor of longtime JEMKC leader and adviser Michael Dunlap, who passed away on Aug. 2, 2010. Michael held every leadership position in JEMKC, and his passion for helping student journalists excel inspired everyone he met. This award not only honors Michael’s memory, it also recognizes those student journalists who have demonstrated excellence on their publication. One $500 scholarship will be awarded at the spring awards ceremony. | Submit PDFs of completed application form, letter of recommendation, resume, application essay, completed W-9 form for tax purposes, official transcript AND submit JPGs/PDFs/links for up to five copy/design/photo files |
S2: Garrett | This award was established in 1997 to honor Bill Garrett, a former Kansas Citian and award-winning photojournalist. Garrett was raised on 39th Street near Summit in Kansas City, Mo. A graduate of the University of Missouri, Garrett has received numerous awards for photography including a NPPA award for “distinguished service to the profession of journalism.” He was also named Magazine Photographer of the Year in 1968 for his coverage of the Vietnam War. One of Garrett’s greatest achievements was his tenure at National Geographic, where he worked for 36 years, including 10 years as editor. Since leaving National Geographic in 1990, he has concentrated on environmental preservation projects. This is an award for general excellence in photojournalism. One $250 scholarship will be awarded at the spring awards ceremony. | Submit PDFs of completed application form, letter of recommendation, resume, application essay, completed W-9 form for tax purposes AND submit JPGs for up to five photo files |
S3: Heatherly | This award was established to honor Opal Heatherly, who retired from teaching in 1978 and passed away in 1985. Heatherly was the newspaper and yearbook adviser at Westport High School in Kansas City, Mo. She was an active and enthusiastic member of JEMKC. This award, presented in her honor, is intended to encourage excellence in writing. One $250 scholarship will be awarded at the spring awards ceremony. | Submit PDFs of completed application form, letter of recommendation, resume, application essay, completed W-9 form for tax purposes AND submit PDFs for up to five story files |
S4: Campbell | JEMKC established this journalism scholarship in honor of Sarah Ellen Campbell, who founded our organization. The late Miss Campbell retired in 1971 from William Chrisman High School in Independence after 49 years of teaching. Two $150 scholarships will be awarded for a summer media workshop, selected from all eligible applicants. | Submit PDFs of completed application form, letter of recommendation, resume, cover letter AND submit JPGs/PDFs/links for up to three copy/design/photo files |
S5: Clemons | The Ron Clemons Editorial Leadership Award is presented to a newspaper staff that has shown a concerted effort to use its publishing power to clearly inform and educate its student body. This award recognizes the efforts of Ron Clemons, retired Truman High School adviser. Throughout his career, his staffs were recognized for editorial leadership. The winning school will receive a plaque for their classroom. | Submit PDFs of: completed application form, letter of recommendation, cover letter AND submit PDFs for up to 10 copy entries |