Activities

Northwestern Pennsylvania High School Journalism Day Official Entry Form and Registration presented by the Department of Communication and Media Studies

NWPA High School Journalism Competition

Purpose

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the sixth annual Northwestern Pennsylvania (NWPA) High School Journalism Competition, sponsored by the Communication & Media Studies Department and the campus newspaper (The Spectator), radio station (WFSE-88.9) and television station (Edinboro University E-TV). The competition is designed to recognize and reward journalistic talent among high school juniors and seniors. The competition is open to all students currently in 11^th and 12^th grade who have an interest in print journalism, broadcast journalism or photojournalism.

Awards

All entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of faculty members from the Edinboro University Communication & Media Studies Department and student staff members from the campus media. Students are invited to compete in four print journalism categories (news, feature, sports, and opinion), two photo journalism categories (news photo and feature photo) and two broadcast journalism categories (broadcast news package and newscast anchor). Cash prizes, provided by Gazette Newspapers; YourErie.com, JET-TV, and Fox 66; and WCTL will be awarded to the top finishers. Winners will receive the following cash prizes: First-place ($100); Second place ($50); Third place ($25); Fourth place (certificate) and Fifth place (certificate). One “Best in Show” winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to Edinboro University. Scholarships will be remitted in the recipient’s freshman year should they enroll at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. All award winners and a guest (guidance counselor, teacher, or parent) will be invited to an awards luncheon on April 12, 2012 that will be held as part of Edinboro University’s annual High School Journalism Day.

Requirements for Entries

All entries must have been completed after January 1, 2011. Stories can be published or broadcast (in a high school newspaper, community access television station, etc.) or non-published (completed as part of a class assignment or on an individual basis). Students may enter one (1) entry per category. The number of entries per high school is not limited. Please complete one entry form for each entry. Attach two (2) copies of the story to the entry form and mail to: Dr. Melissa Gibson, NWPA High School Journalism Competition Director, Communication & Media Studies Department, Compton Hall, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA, 16444. Entries must be received (not postmarked) by March 14, 2012.

Entry Categories

Print Journalism

News – Straight news story on a topic of school, community, state, national or international interest. Entries will be evaluated on the initiative shown in composing a story that presents new information or a different angle on published information or past events. Judging will be based on the following criteria: lead, story angle, story organization, use of quotations, style, sources, use of research, objectivity, and spelling and grammar.

Feature - An in-depth topic of interest to readers. The story may be a personality profile or human interest piece. Judging will be based on the following criteria: lead, story organization, creativity, use of quotations, use of details and vivid writing, and spelling and grammar.

Sports – An advance, follow-up, summary or feature coverage of school, local, state, national or international sporting events or sports participants. Judging will be based on the following criteria: lead, command of sports vocabulary, use of variety of sources, use of specific details/statistics, organization, and spelling and grammar.

Opinion – A story that focuses on items of personal nature, social issues, or happenings of the world. It can be insightful and/or critical, but not libelous. Judging will be evaluated on the following criteria: organization, demonstration of critical thinking, use of research, use of facts, style, spelling and grammar.

Photojournalism

News Photo – One photograph appropriate for a news story. A clip of the photo as published, and, if possible, the original print may accompany the clip. There is no minimum size for photos; the maximum is 11-by-14. Attach tearsheets (if available). Captions must be attached to the back of each photo mount. Judging will be evaluated on the following criteria: relevance, composition/arrangement, focus/sharpness, lighting and creativity.

Feature Photo - One photograph appropriate for a feature story. A clip of the photo as published, and, if possible, the original print may accompany the clip. There is no minimum size for photos; the maximum is 11-by-14. Attach tearsheets (if available). Captions must be attached to the back of each photo mount. Judging will be evaluated on the following criteria: relevance, composition/arrangement, focus/sharpness, lighting and creativity.

Broadcast Journalism

Broadcast News Package – Radio or television. Submit two (2) DVD/CD copies plus entry form. The material must be labeled with category, name of entrant, title of entry and running time. Judging will be evaluated on news writing, pacing, transitional elements, sound editing techniques appropriate for a news story, use of video or audio for impact and segments which stay on topic.

Newscast Anchor - Radio or television. Submit two (2) DVD/CD copies plus entry form. The material must be labeled with category, name of entrant, title of entry and running time. Judging will be evaluated on aspects of syntax, pacing, poise, and delivery of material.

Sponsored by:

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, with support from:

University Advancement

Communication & Media Studies Department

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Spectator Campus Newspaper

WFSE-FM 88.9 Campus Radio

E-TV Campus Television

and community partners:

Gazette Newspapers; YourErie.com, JET-TV, and Fox 66; WCTL

For more information, contact (814) 732-1592 or via email at mgibson@edinboro.edu