Annual Contest
2026
The deadline for all 2026 contests (yearbook, print, online) is July 1, 2026.
The contests are judged by experienced advisers from outside New Jersey, and every entry receives feedback. Winners will announced at our Fall Press Day on Oct. 26, 2026.
Criteria for Submission
- You must be a current GSSPA member to enter the contest. Not a member? Download the membership form and join today. Not sure? Contact Sue Everett at <[email protected]> or 201-906-8661.
- For the print and online newspaper contests, content published from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 is eligible
- See categories below for information about number of entries allowed per category
- Entries must meet the criteria in the category descriptions; entries that do not fall into the proper categories will be disqualified
Fee Information
- News Media: Newspaper & Online
- $5 per entry in individual categories (List of categories below)
- $10 per entry in Social Media category
- $45 for Overall Excellence
- Yearbook
- $80 for book
- $5 for Individual Recognition Categories
Submissions
News Media entry forms and judging sheets are all digital. Yearbook entry forms are digital, books are mailed. (See address on entry form.)
- Yearbook Contest Entry Form
- Print, Online Newspaper, & Broadcast
- Category Descriptions
- Step-by-Step Directions for Entry (includes links to entry spreadsheets)
Questions?
- Contest Questions – [email protected]
- Membership – Sue Everett – [email protected]
News Media Categories – {up to 5 entries per category, except Overall Excellence}
- News Writing
- Feature Writing
- Sports Writing
- In-Depth Reporting
- Editorial Writing (unsigned)
- Opinion Writing (signed)
- Personal Narrative
- Column Writing
- Review Writing
- Artwork/Illustration
- Photography
- Infographics
- Editorial Cartooning
- Layout and Design
- Multimedia Package (Online Only)
- Multimedia Package (Online Sports)
- Broadcast Segment
- News Show
- Podcast
- Breaking News
- Photo Gallery
- Print Overall Excellence ($45)
- Online Overall Excellence ($45)
- Social Media Overall Excellence ($10)
- Distinguished Journalism
Yearbook Individual Recognition Coverage Categories – {up to 3 entries per category}
- Profiles
- Student Life
- Sports
- Academics
- Clubs and Organizations
- Sidebar mods
- Infographics
- Theme