Fall 2025 Regional Student Journalism Competitions (SJCs)
UPDATED DECEMBER 9, 2025
We should celebrate journalistic talent and ability with the same gusto that Pennsylvanians celebrate accomplishments in music, theater and sport. The PSPA Regional competitions offer an educational contest to every student journalist in Pennsylvania. PSPA's writing, design, and artistic competitions are similar to those offered at the Journalism Education Association’s semi-annual conventions – but near you and with affordable prices.
The road to State Finals in the spring begins at the Regional level, where students may compete in one of 16 contest categories. Contest winners from each Regional advance to States, which will be held at Penn State University's main campus on March 16, 2026. Non-competitors are also welcome at Regionals, as each event includes programming geared towards student journalists.
You and your students may attend any of the following eight Regionals most convenient for you. Entries for our Fall Regional contests will be $15 per student/team. There is no cost to attend Finals. Listed next to each Regional site and event date is that site's coordinator(s), who will serve as your point of contact for any questions you have about that particular event.
Materials you need for our Fall Regional SJCs
Competitors in our photography, broadcast video, and podcast digital entry submission categories are required to submit their entries online by NOON on October 24. These competitors are still required to attend the regional contest, even though their submissions are online. If your entry is housed in Google Drive, please adjust your share settings to ensure that your entry is shared to ensure "Anyone with the link" can view it. Please find the submission links below on this page under DIGITAL ENTRY SUBMISSION CONTESTS.
Every school must renew their free PSPA membership to be eligible to compete this fall. You can renew your membership here.
Registration Closed:
For questions regarding these regional competitions, please email the coordinators listed above.
The road to State Finals in the spring begins at the Regional level, where students may compete in one of 16 contest categories. Contest winners from each Regional advance to States, which will be held at Penn State University's main campus on March 16, 2026. Non-competitors are also welcome at Regionals, as each event includes programming geared towards student journalists.
You and your students may attend any of the following eight Regionals most convenient for you. Entries for our Fall Regional contests will be $15 per student/team. There is no cost to attend Finals. Listed next to each Regional site and event date is that site's coordinator(s), who will serve as your point of contact for any questions you have about that particular event.
Materials you need for our Fall Regional SJCs
- Rubrics - Share these with your students to prepare them.
- Rules & Regulations
- Registration Form
- Prompts for Digital Entry Submission Contests
Competitors in our photography, broadcast video, and podcast digital entry submission categories are required to submit their entries online by NOON on October 24. These competitors are still required to attend the regional contest, even though their submissions are online. If your entry is housed in Google Drive, please adjust your share settings to ensure that your entry is shared to ensure "Anyone with the link" can view it. Please find the submission links below on this page under DIGITAL ENTRY SUBMISSION CONTESTS.
Every school must renew their free PSPA membership to be eligible to compete this fall. You can renew your membership here.
Registration Closed:
- Penn State Berks: October 22, 2025 | Coordinators: Jonathan Bickel & Megan Cook | DEADLINE TO REGISTER: OCT. 12
- Bloomsburg University: October 23, 2025 | Coordinators: Paul Fantaski & Gail Honeywell | DEADLINE TO REGISTER: OCT. 13
- Temple University: October 23, 2025 | Coordinators: Kate Plows & Cyndi Crothers-Hyatt | DEADLINE TO REGISTER: OCT. 13
- Penn State Behrend: October 29, 2025 | Coordinator: Stacey Hetrick | DEADLINE TO REGISTER: OCT. 19
- York College: November 14, 2025 | Coordinator: Lisa Sands | DEADLINE TO REGISTER: NOV. 4
- St. Francis University: November 18, 2025 | Coordinators: Nate Thompson & Samantha Corza | DEADLINE TO REGISTER: NOV. 8
- Point Park University: November 21, 2025 | Coordinators: Paul Fantaski | DEADLINE TO REGISTER: NOV. 11
- Slippery Rock University: November 21, 2025 | Coordinators: Aaron Fitzpatrick & Meghan Adams | DEADLINE REGISTER: NOV. 11
For questions regarding these regional competitions, please email the coordinators listed above.
Competition Categories
Rubrics for All Categories
On-Site Contests
SAMPLE PROMPTS (Useful for practice)
1Y - Yearbook Caption Writing
Students will receive a sheet that features five pictures and also a sheet that provides information for each picture. Students will have to create a lead-in and full caption (including a quote and an additional line providing the reader with information not obvious by looking at the photo) for each shot. Captions must tell a complete story and should have a minimum length of three complete sentences.
2Y - Yearbook Copy Writing
Students will write a 250-300 word yearbook story based on information provided on a fact sheet.
3Y - Yearbook Sports Writing
Students will write a 250-300 word yearbook sports story based on information provided on a fact sheet.
4Y - Yearbook Spread Design
With a pencil, ruler, and layout sheet, students will design a yearbook student life spread based on information provided on a requirement sheet.
5N - Newspaper News Writing
Students will write a 250-300 word news story based on information provided on a fact sheet.
6N - Newspaper Feature Writing
Students will write a 250-300 word feature story based on information provided on a fact sheet.
7N - Newspaper Sports Writing
Students will write a 250-300 word sports story based on information provided on a fact sheet.
8E - Editorial Cartoon
Students will be given an information sheet on a topic of general interest. After reading the material, students will create a cartoon relevant to the material. Judges will look for a simple and clear editorial statement with evidence of artistic ability and a creative approach.
9E - Editorial Writing
Students will be given an information sheet on a topic of general interest. After reading the material, students will write an editorial using their ideas to either support or oppose a position.
10L - Literary Magazine Poetry
Students will write an original poem for a literary magazine following the provided parameters (theme and length). Title the poem, and clearly indicate lines through identification and the use of margins. Students should: exhibit an understanding of poetry, its conventions, punctuation, and potential; create a setting; convey a tone; connect to feelings; and delve beyond the surface.
11L - Literary Magazine Artwork
Students will be given a poem. After reading it, students will create a drawing relevant to the poem that would accompany it in a literary magazine.
12B - Broadcast Writing
Students will be given six stories that they must convert into broadcast style. The script should examine at least four of the six, be 90-seconds long (give or take five seconds), and adhere to the conventions of broadcast writing.
Digital Entry Submission Contests
All carry-in entries must be submitted after registration via Google Form by NOON on October 24.
See submission links at the bottom of this section.
13YP - Yearbook Photography | FALL 2025 PROMPT
Photo Requirements:
Students may only use Photoshop (or another photo editing program) to crop and/or lighten photos, as we expect properly cropped photos with exemplary lighting. Beyond that, all other aspects of photos should naturally retain their integrity.
14NP - Newspaper Photography | FALL 2025 PROMPT
Photo Requirements:
Students may only use Photoshop (or another photo editing program) to crop and/or lighten photos, as we expect properly cropped photos with exemplary lighting. Beyond that, all other aspects of photos should naturally retain their integrity.
13YP - Yearbook Photography | FALL 2025 PROMPT
Photo Requirements:
Students may only use Photoshop (or another photo editing program) to crop and/or lighten photos, as we expect properly cropped photos with exemplary lighting. Beyond that, all other aspects of photos should naturally retain their integrity.
- Students must submit five (5) pictures according to the categories listed in the rubric linked above.
- Make sure to prioritize creating a quality photo caption/cutline for each (at least two to three sentences that tells who, what, when, and where.)
- One photo must be submitted from each of the rubric categories.
14NP - Newspaper Photography | FALL 2025 PROMPT
Photo Requirements:
Students may only use Photoshop (or another photo editing program) to crop and/or lighten photos, as we expect properly cropped photos with exemplary lighting. Beyond that, all other aspects of photos should naturally retain their integrity.
- Students must submit five (5) pictures according to the categories listed in the rubric linked above.
- Make sure to prioritize creating a quality photo caption/cutline for each (at least two to three sentences that tells who, what, when, and where.)
- One photo must be submitted from each of the rubric categories.
15BN - Broadcast News Package | FALL 2025 PROMPT
Up to three students may collectively create and submit a 90-second to 2.5-minute broadcast news package. Students may work in groups of up
15BF - Broadcast Feature Package | FALL 2025 PROMPT
Up to three students may collectively create and submit a 90-second to 2.5-minute broadcast feature package.
Up to three students may collectively create and submit a 90-second to 2.5-minute broadcast news package. Students may work in groups of up
15BF - Broadcast Feature Package | FALL 2025 PROMPT
Up to three students may collectively create and submit a 90-second to 2.5-minute broadcast feature package.
16POD - Podcast | FALL 2025 PROMPT
Up to three students may collectively submit a podcast episode showcasing a topic relevant to their school's student population. Length must be between 20-30 minutes.
Up to three students may collectively submit a podcast episode showcasing a topic relevant to their school's student population. Length must be between 20-30 minutes.
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