The NSPA Best of Show, a popular convention competition, is open to NSPA-member student media outlets (broadcast, newspaper/newsmagazine, magazine, website and yearbook). The contest is $30 per entry.
Contest rules require the media outlet to be a paid NSPA-member. For high school media, students serving on the staff of the media outlet must be registered for the convention. For middle school media, the adviser must be registered for the convention.
The Best of Show competition features two divisions —
- Staff Recognition, submitted on site at the convention
- Individual Recognition, submitted prior to the convention
Best of Show winners will be announced on site at the convention awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9.
The deadlines and submission guidelines are different for the two categories, so review these details carefully.
Submission deadlines
Staff Recognition: The deadline for submitting student media is noon, Friday, Nov. 8.
A single copy of print publications must be turned in to the convention registration Best of Show desk by noon Friday, Nov. 8, for the following:
- Newspaper/Newsmagazine
- Magazine
- Yearbook
A URL link must be turned in online by noon Friday, Nov. 8, for the following:
- Broadcast News Program
- Website
Individual Recognition: Submit these entries by 5 p.m. CT Wednesday, Oct. 16, using the BetterBNC award platform. Technical assistance is available from BetterBNC on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.
Payment
Best of Show entries are purchased as part of the convention’s online registration process. Convention registration closes on Oct. 17.
Payments are also accepted at the Best of Show registration desk in Philadelphia. The contest fee is $30 per entry for NSPA members. The contest is open only to NSPA members.
Unlimited entries may be purchased for the Individual Recognition categories. For the Staff Recognition categories, only one submission is allowed in each category.
Staff Recognition
The awards in this category are presented to the student media outlet for the overall product. Only one submission is allowed in each category. The entries compete directly against each other, and a critique or scoresheet is not provided.
The Best of Show winner receives the iconic NSPA Best of Show trophy, with second through 10th place winners receiving certificates. The awards in this category are presented to student media staff.
Broadcast News Program
Entries consist of a single broadcast news program aired between Aug. 1, 2024, and the contest deadline. Entries must be submitted as URL links (i.e., a YouTube or Vimeo link). The news program must be housed on a site or channel owned by a school student media outlet and not a personal site or channel. News programs compete in two categories. Submit your URL using one of the following links:
Magazine
Submit the most recent magazine print issue in one of two categories:
- Literary Arts Magazine (all)
- Specialty Magazine (all)
Specialty magazines provide in-depth, long-form stories focused on timely topics/issues relevant to your audience. A specialty magazine has its own identity and name and is not a special edition of a newspaper/newsmagazine. Topical magazines such as sports, science, business or entertainment also compete in this category.
Newspaper/Newsmagazine
Schools may enter one regular edition of their newspaper/newsmagazine. Enter one print copy of the most recent issue of the newspaper/newsmagazines. Entries compete in one of five categories —
- Newspaper (high school enrollment of fewer than 1,800)
- Newspaper (high school enrollment of 1,800 or more)
- Newsmagazine (high school enrollment of fewer than 1,800)
- Newsmagazine (high school enrollment of 1,800 or more)
- Newspaper/Newsmagazine (junior high/middle school)
Website
An online news website actively updated during the current school year, competing in one of three categories and submitted as a URL link. Submit your URL using one of the following links:
- Website (high school enrollment of fewer than 1,800)
- Website (high school enrollment of 1,800 or more)
- Website (junior high/middle school)
Yearbook
The 2024 yearbook should be entered. A print copy is required. High school yearbooks will be divided into equal categories based on the number of pages. Junior-high/middle-school yearbooks, of all page counts, will compete in a separate category. Yearbooks will be available to the end of the Saturday, Nov. 9, awards ceremony for return. NSPA does not guarantee the return of your yearbook.
- Yearbook (high school)
- Yearbook (junior high/middle school)
Individual Recognition
Best of Show Individual Awards recognize specific student journalists for their achievement.
The awards in this category are presented to individuals or teams of up to five staff members. There are no restrictions on the number of entries; however, an entry can be submitted in only one category. All entries should be published during the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024) by your student media outlet.
The Best of Show category winner receives a plaque, with second through 10th place winners receiving certificates.
1. BROADCAST: News Story
Demonstrates broadcast news-gathering and reporting skills. Produced and aired during the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024). Election stories should be entered in category 10. Submit a URL link through the BetterBNC award platform.
2. BROADCAST: Feature Story
Demonstrates broadcast human-interest storytelling and reporting skills. Produced and aired during the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024). Submit a URL link through the BetterBNC award platform.
3. EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP: All Media
This competition, intended for individual editors not teams, requires an application submitted as a PDF file and through the BetterBNC award platform.
- List your contributions to your high school student media program, including positions held and job descriptions if needed.
- Describe your leadership philosophy (200 words or fewer).
- Describe your most proud leadership moment (100 words or fewer).
- A statement of support from your adviser (100 words or fewer).
4. DESIGN: Magazine
A single-page or double-page spread appearing in a print literary arts or specialty magazine. Newsmagazine designs should be entered in Category 5. Submit a PDF file of the page or spread from the most recent magazine through the BetterBNC award platform.
5. DESIGN: Newspaper/Newsmagazine
Single-page or double-page spread appearing in a print newspaper/newsmagazine. Submit a PDF file of the page or spread published during the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024) through the BetterBNC award platform.
6. DESIGN: Yearbook
Single-page or double-page spread appearing in a print yearbook. Submit a PDF file of the page or spread published in the 2024 yearbook or submitted for the 2025 yearbook through the BetterBNC award platform.
7. PHOTOJOURNALISM: Feature Photo
Feature photo appearing in print or online. Image should be from the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024).. Entries without captions will be disqualified. Submit a file (JPG, TIF, PNG) along with a caption through the BetterBNC award platform.
8. PHOTOJOURNALISM: Sports Photo
Sports photo appearing in print or online. Photos may include game/action shots and sports features such as fans, sidelines, etc. Image should be from the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024). Entries without captions will be disqualified. Submit a file (JPG, TIF, PNG) along with a caption through the BetterBNC award platform.
9. REPORTING: News Story
Reporting on breaking news or an issue of importance to your audience that demonstrates strong news-gathering skills and delivers concise information. Election stories should be entered in category 10. Story should be from the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024). Submit a URL link for online or a PDF file of the printed page(s) (do not submit both) using the BetterBNC award platform.
10. REPORTING: Feature Story
Personality profiles or human-interest general features. Story should be from the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024). Submit a URL link for online or a PDF file of the printed page(s) (do not submit both) using the BetterBNC award platform.
11. REPORTING: Election 2024
Stories from all publications and platforms are eligible. Long-form stories, published in print or online, should be accompanied by sidebars, graphics and data. Broadcast packages may also be entered. Judges will be looking for localized coverage of national races. Content should be published during the current school year (after Aug. 1, 2024). Submit a URL link for broadcast and online or a PDF for print (do not submit both) using the BetterBNC award platform.
