High School Contest Entry Form

Press Women of Texas Edith Fox King

High School Communications Contest

National Federation of Press Women Education Fund

Guidelines

Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2010.

Address entries to Kathie Magers, 1508 Riverside Dr., West Tawakoni, TX 75474
For questions, please email pmagers@verizon.net.

Press Women of Texas offers the Edith Fox King Annual High School Communications Contest for student journalists statewide, with an opportunity for the PWT first place winners to enter the NFPW national competition. We believe it is vital to support these bright young future journalists and citizens. These contests seek to inspire students to do their best work as well as to reward excellence in scholastic journalism. Guidelines and entry forms are available upon request to presswomenoftexas@gmail.com or on the PWT website www.presswomenoftexas.org

Certificates will be awarded to Texas winners who, with their parents and advisers are invited to attend the Youth Project Award Luncheon, PWT Annual Conference, June 5, in Bryan-College Station. Texas’ first place winners in each category will be entered in the national contest.

First place national winners will receive $100. National student winners, their parents and advisers are invited to attend the NFPW High School Awards Luncheon, which will be held during the annual conference in Chicago, Illinois, August 28, 2010. The only nationwide communications competition for high school students, this contest is listed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals on its "NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-2010," which can be found at www.nassp.org. Dow Jones announces first-place winners and promotes the competition in its publication distributed to journalism advisers across the nation, giving students and their teachers/advisers local and nationwide recognition.

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.

Students may enter in more than one category, and may submit more than 1 entry in a single category. Students should decide which category best fits, as each piece may only be entered once in one category.

Each entry must be accompanied by an entry form and a $3.00 fee for each entry. Checks should be made payable to: Press Women of Texas. Please note that all entries must be postmarked by the date specified on the entry form .

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.

On print entries, indicate which article or photo is to be considered by circling it with a marker or highlighter.

If an entry is the work of more than one student, all names should be on the entry form.

Entry forms and student work should be paper-clipped together – NO staples, sleeves or binders, please!

CRITERIA CONSIDERED BY JUDGE

1. Editorial –

This entry would appear on the editorial page of the paper. It is the voice of the paper. An editorial is not a bylined personal column, but may be a signed on behalf of an editorial board.

2. Opinion –

This is the voice of the writer, not to be confused with an editorial. It can focus on items of personal nature, social issues, or happenings of the world. It can be insightful and/or critical, but not libelous. Judging will evaluate clearness of style, sound reasoning and effort to influence reader’s opinion in what the writer believes is the right direction. An opinion article, the voice of the individual, is always bylined.

3. News Story –

Shows initiative in obtaining a story that presents new information or a different angle on published information or past events. Judging will be based on general organization, writing style, readability and impact.

4. Feature Story –

An in-depth topic of interest to readers. Copy will be judged on unusual aspects of the material or the handling, writing style and richness of detail and use of quotes, readability and thoroughness. The material may be a personality profile or human interest piece.

5. Sports Story –

Imagination and good application of sports-writing style in advance, follow-up, summary or feature coverage of events or sports participants. Avoid play-by-play rehash.

6. Columns

– Submit three entries, two consecutive and any third one. Analytical scrutiny, satire or personal comment on general or special subject that entertains and/or educates. May utilize in-depth knowledge, research, study or expertise.

7. Feature Photo

– Photo must have viewer emotional response, eye-catching subject matter and storytelling qualities. No posed shots. Judging will be based on the photo’s quality as published. Original prints are not required. Submit two copies of published version. Images must not be digitally enhanced or retouched; cropping, toning, contrast and redeye removal are the only electronic adjustments that are allowed.

8. Sports Photo

– Photo should be easy to "read" and cropped for impact. It should show the peak of the action; capture an exciting moment or a storytelling facial expression. No posed shots. Judging is based on the quality of the photo as published. Submit two dated copies of the published version. Images must not be digitally enhanced or retouched; cropping, toning, contrast and redeye removal are the only electronic adjustments that are allowed.

9. Cartooning

– Copy may be generated by computer graphics or freehand and may be a comic strip or cartoon. Judging will consider the text or caption and the use of concept and artistic style. The subject matter is unrestricted. For example, any political, economic or social issue may be covered or any human relations issue or other topic.

10. Review

– Entry should be of interest to the publication’s readers. Subject may be art or dramatic event or music. Article should include some critical analysis and show writer’s knowledge of the subject. Review should be interesting, creatively written and rich in style.

11. Graphics

– Entry may be created freehand or electronically. Judging will be on creativity, uniqueness, clarity of relationship to article or publications and entry’s visual enhancement of the subject matter. Unsigned work requires adviser’s verification.

12. Single-Page Layout

– Copy may be from a desktop publishing project or from the traditional printing production methods. (A double-truck is not a single page.) Judges will consider any number of graphic elements, typography, photos, illustrations and color. Judging will be on creative and effective use of elements in drawing reader interest and supporting article (s) content. Unsigned work requires adviser’s verification.

13. Double-Truck Layout –

The entry is a two-page layout (centerfold) incorporating an odd number of pictures made up as a single unit, with the usual margin between the two facing pages eliminated. Judging will be based on same elements as for single-page layout. Unsigned work requires adviser’s verification.

14. Environment –

Judging will be based on how the article, layout, graphic or photograph "educates the public about environmental issues or concerns." This award is given in conjunction with the San Francisco Press Club Environment Award Fund.

15. Video News Story –

This is a video created for television or Web broadcast. Judging is based on how well video and reporting/narration are used to obtain a story and present information. DVD is the only allowable format. Make sure your entry plays on a regular consumer DVD player or PC.

16. Video Feature Story –

This is a video created for television or Web broadcast. Judging is based on how well video and reporting/narration are used to present a personality profile or human interest story of interest to viewers. DVD is the only allowable format. Make sure your entry plays on a regular consumer DVD player or PC.

17. Video Sports Story –

This is a video created for television or Web broadcast. Judging is based on how well video and reporting/narration are used to cover a sports event or participant. DVD is the only allowable format. Make sure your entry plays on a regular consumer DVD player or PC.

High School Contest Entry Form