JEA National Student Media Contests
JEA National Student Media Contests (NSMC) are open to all students registered for the Seattle convention, at $20 per student.
From among the 46 competition categories, including writing, design, photo and broadcast, advisers may enter students to compete in online or on-site contests. NSMC registration takes place outside of the convention registration system. More information, complete contest rules and online contest submission guidelines are available at JEA.org/contests.
Online contest categories require entries to be sent in before the convention, no later than noon Central on April 1. Students are then required to attend an on-site critique session at the Seattle convention on Friday, April 25 in order to maintain award eligibility.
On-site contest categories require participation in an on-site competition at the Seattle convention on Friday, April 25. Most competitions take place from 4-6 p.m., but some begin earlier in the day. Please verify times and room assignments in the convention program.
Please read all NSMC rules carefully to avoid disqualification. No late entries will be accepted.
NSMC registration opens Feb. 24.
Registration closes at noon CST April 1.
Online contest submissions are due by noon CST April 1.
On-site contests and critique sessions happen Friday, April 25.
Now seeking contest judges
JEA needs volunteers to facilitate National Student Media Contests before and during the spring 2025 convention in Seattle. The primary onsite need is for the evening on Friday, April 25, although we have many other opportunities available as well. To sign up or learn more about this rewarding volunteer experience, visit the link below:
Online contests
Online entries due by noon CST April 1. No late entries will be accepted.
At the spring convention, online contest participants must attend their category’s on-site critique session to qualify for award rankings. On-site critiques occur 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 25.
Online contests: Design categories
09 Newspaper Layout
10 Newsmagazine Layout
16 Yearbook Layout: Theme
17 Yearbook Layout: Inside Pages
18 Yearbook Cover/End Sheets
19 Literary Magazine Layout
23 Graphic Design: Logo
24 Graphic Design: Infographics
25 Graphic Design: Advertising
26 Graphic Design: Photo Illustration
Online contests: Photography categories
27 Themed Photo
28 Sports Action Photography
29 Sports Feature Photography
30 Feature Photography
31 General or Spot News Photography
32 Photo Story
33 Portfolio
34 Portrait Photo
35 First-year Photo
Online contests: Broadcast categories
36 Broadcast News Story (teams of one or two)
37 Broadcast Sports Story (teams of one or two)
38 Broadcast Feature Story (teams of one or two)
39 Broadcast Commercial/PSA (teams of one or two)
On-site contests
Most on-site contest competitions will take place at the convention from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, April 25. The on-site broadcast contest competition starts earlier in the day. Check the final convention program schedule to verify exact start times.
On-site contests: Writing categories
01 Newswriting
02 Editorial Writing
03 Feature Writing
04 Sports Writing
05 Review Writing
06 Editorial Cartooning
07 Commentary Writing
08 News Editing/Headline Writing/Current Events
On-site contests: Press Law and Ethics
11 Press Law and Ethics
On-site contests: Yearbook categories
12 Yearbook Copy Captions: Sports
13 Yearbook Copy Captions: Academics
14 Yearbook Copy Captions: Clubs
15 Yearbook Copy Captions: Student Life
On-site contests: Literary Magazine contests
20 Literary Magazine: Poetry
21 Literary Magazine: Illustration
22 Literary Magazine: Photography
On-site contests: Broadcast contests
42 Video Package Editing
43 Online News Package (teams of one, two or three)
44 Broadcast Anchor
45 Broadcast Newswriting
46 Broadcast Package (team of two)
A student may participate in both NSMC and Quiz Bowl. The only scheduling conflict would apply to NSMC broadcast categories 43, 44 or 46.
Questions about NSMC, contact staff@jea.org.