The Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year (PJOY) competition standards and rubrics align with the Journalism Education Association's Journalist of the Year competition. The annual competition is open to senior student journalists and requires the completion of an online portfolio aligned with JEA's curriculum standards. The Pennsylvania scholarship winner moves on to the national JEA Journalist of the Year competition. Please visit the JEA Journalist of the Year page for information about preparing a portfolio. The state portfolio deadline is generally in late winter and will be announced annually on this page and in our news and social feeds.

The Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year award was named for Dr. Jane Blystone in 2011. Our previous winners:
NATIONAL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
​Sister Rita Jeanne Scholarships, named for JEA’s longtime treasurer, recognize some of the top high school journalists in the country. The contest begins at the state level. Winning portfolios from state Journalist of the Year competitions are sent to the national level. Portfolios are judged at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention, and winners are announced at the convention’s concluding awards ceremony. Scholarship funds — $3,000 for the top winner, and $850 each for runners-up (up to six runners-up awards are usually given) — are released to the students after the winners are announced.

2025 Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year Application Information

Guidelines
​The 2025 Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year contest directly aligns to the JEA Journalist of the Year contest, including contest requirements and judging rubric. 

The Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year contest opens January 1, 2025 and runs through 11:59 p.m. February 17. Please encourage any outstanding senior you advise to apply. The winner receives a scholarship and advances to the national competition. If you have any questions, you can contact Cyndi Hyatt, PJOY Chair/JEA State Director, at [email protected].

Rules, Guidelines, and Tips for Entry

For state and national Journalist of the Year submissions, all entries must be digital. There are resources available on the National JEA Journalist of the Year site to help candidates get moving on the process, including website tutorials, a list of contest requirements and guidelines, and a list of frequently asked questions. Advisers should share this URL address with eligible candidates.
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Part of the process will be a Self-analytical essay. Students should write with passion and make an impact on the judges because this essay functions as the applicant’s one-on-one interview with the judges. Essay should not exceed two pages in length. (PDF or document format)

Entry Form
What's required?
Student applicants should have the following materials ready to submit at the time of application:
  • Adviser, school, and parent/guardian contact information
  • Portfolio website (with links or pdfs of all required elements)
  • Resume (PDF format)
  • Transcripts, or counselor statement of classes and grades. Student should be a high school senior and should have an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (PDF format)
  • Three letters of recommendation from those who know the applicant well and understand the impact of the journalistic experience on the student’s life. No letter should exceed two pages in length. (PDF Format.)
  • Action photograph of student involved in student journalism and caption for this photograph
  • Self-analytical essay: Students should write with passion and make an impact on the judges because this essay functions as the applicant’s one-on-one interview with the judges. Essay should not exceed two pages in length. (PDF or document format)
We want to make sure we receive your PJOY application. After submitting your application, please email Cyndi Hyatt (PSPA PJOY Chair/JEA State Director) at [email protected], requesting confirmation that the application has been received. ​