Get involved
If you plan to attend the JEA/NSPA convention, consider getting involved by judging JEA Contests or critiquing yearbooks, newspapers, videos or magazines.
Pick an area that interests you and contact us.
JEA contest judging
Help judge, moderate or score JEA contests. No experience necessary.
Most National Student Media Contests on-site categories compete from 4-6 p.m. Friday. Judging occurs at 6 p.m. Friday with most judges from most categories finished by 8:30 p.m. Some NSMC broadcast categories compete and are judged Friday morning. NSMC online categories are judged between in late October.
The National Journalism Quiz Bowl qualifying test takes place at 8 a.m. Friday with scoring to follow. The live finals take place from 8-10 a.m. Saturday.
> To help with contests, please fill out the NSMC volunteer form.
Questions? Email Nancy Smith, JEA Contests Chair at nysmithjea@gmail.com.
NSPA on-site critiques
If you are an experienced adviser, you can help with on-site critiques. You’ll receive copies of a newspaper, yearbook, magazine or video at the convention and meet with the staff of the publication to provide constructive criticism of its work.
> To help with critiques, email critiques@studentpress.org.
Session speakers
Our conventions typically offer around 300 breakout sessions.
Teachers, advisers, professional journalists and students in editorial leadership positions are invited to submit a speaker proposal for the spring convention.
Speaker proposals will be due in September.
If you have any questions about getting involved at the fall convention, visit our speaker FAQ page or contact JEA Events and Programs Manager Amber James, Amber@jea.org.
Discounted and complimentary registration
JEA or NSPA member advisers volunteering their time and expertise during the convention are eligible for a $50 registration discount or complimentary registration depending on their contributions.
Member advisers may earn the $50 registration discount by meeting one of the following criteria:
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Teaching one breakout session and assisting with one on-site contest
OR
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Teaching one breakout session and assisting with two on-site critiques
Member advisers may earn complimentary registration by meeting one of the following criteria:
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Teaching two or more breakout sessions and assisting with one on-site contest
OR
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Teaching two or more breakout sessions and assisting with two on-site critiques
Confirm your volunteer commitment and register by the early bird deadline to receive the registration discount.
In the case of multiple member advisers from one school, only two registrations will be discounted without special permission from JEA and NSPA.