We’re excited to offer a series of free online-submission contests for member publications this fall.

Each FSPA member publication is eligible to submit one entry for each of the following contests. Entries will be submitted online using the same system as last year (There is a quick-turn deadline to submit entries by Friday, September 27th). Publications will receive written feedback on entries and certificates for items ranked All-Florida, Excellent or Honorable Mention by judges.

Results will be announced at district workshops throughout the state, and district directors may also opt to honor the top finishers from their member schools. A “Best of the Best” entry will be awarded to one submission per category at the FSPA 2014 state convention.

Publications must ensure their uploaded files and links are loaded correctly; there will be no time to allow for re-submissions.

Upload deadline – Wednesday, Sept. 25

We’ve been promoting these categories since Aug. 20, so we hope your students have been working on their entries. Still, by providing the categories now our hope is that your students will begin work on these contests right away. There is one new category below, though (added Sept. 15)

01 Back to School Photo Page

Create a photo essay (max page size: 11×17 inches) that captures the excitement and emotion of back to school. You may include up to five images, which can come from multiple photographers. All photos should be candid/not posed. Judges consider photographic quality, page design and text, including captions on the page. Upload a finished PDF of the page.

02 Sports Reaction Photo

Submit a single reaction photo from a sporting event. The photo should be candid and will be evaluated on photographic quality, capturing emotion and the ability to tell a story. Entrants will submit a single .jpg image and a caption.

03 Literary Magazine spread

Create a double-page literary magazine spread built around a theme of your choice. You may use poetry, prose, photography and artwork. Judges will evaluate writing, design, visuals and theme development. Entrants will upload a single PDF document — make sure to export as a spread so the pages face one another on the document.

04 Yearbook student life spread

Create a double-page student life spread for your 2014 yearbook. The goal here is to plan and execute a new spread, not submit an existing spread from an already-published book. That way, the feedback can help impact change as needed. Judges will evaluate writing, design, visuals and evidence of a connection to theme. Entrants will upload a single PDF document — make sure to export as a spread so the pages face one another on the document.

05 Newspaper features section

Create a two-page features section suitable for publication in a student newspaper. The content must be from the current school year, either as actual published pages or pages intended for publication (Do not submit pages from the previous school year). Judges will evaluate writing, design, visuals and evidence of a connection to theme. Entrants will upload a single PDF document – make sure your pages are in the same PDF document.

06 Event Coverage Video Package

Create a max 1:30 video package that provides coverage of a campus or community event. Judges will consider video and audio quality and variety, use of interview and quality of reporting and writing. Entrants must upload the video to a third-party hosting site such as YouTube, SchoolTube or Vimeo, then provide a direct URL. DO NOT SUBMIT A SPORTING EVENT – those will now go with category 10 below.

07 Broadcast Commercial

Create a 30-second broadcast commercial promoting a product or service available on your campus. Judges will evaluate technical quality and call to action. Entrants must upload the video to a third-party hosting site such as YouTube, SchoolTube or Vimeo, then provide a direct URL.

08 Commentary and Artwork

Create a max-600 word commentary on a topic of interest to a student audience, along with a hand or computer-drawn illustration to accompany it. The writing can be either a signed opinion piece or unsigned editorial. Judges will evaluate writing style, strength of argument and adherence to accepted journalism writing styles. Entrants will submit a single designed PDF that includes both elements.

09 Journalism How-To Video

Create a max three-minute video that can be used in a classroom to educate students on knowledge or skills necessary for success in a production class. Judges will evaluate the quality of the video and audio, along with the video’s ability to educate. Entrants must upload the video to a third-party hosting site such as YouTube, SchoolTube or Vimeo, then provide a direct URL.

10 Sports Event Coverage (NEW!)

Sponsored by Bright House Sports Network

Create a max 1:30 video package that provides coverage of a campus sporting event. Judges will consider video and audio quality and variety, use of interview and quality of reporting and writing. Entrants must upload the video to a third-party hosting site such as YouTube, SchoolTube or Vimeo, then provide a direct URL.

Questions: Email fspacontests (at) gmail.com.