46 superior rankings awarded, 264 students recognized in spring 2026 NSMC

The JEA National Student Media Contests were held online and on-site for the Spring 2026 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis. A total of 504 students competed across photo, broadcast, graphic design, literary magazine, design and writing categories, with 264 students recognized: 46 superior, 92 excellent and 126 honorable mention awards.

“Though this was a smaller event, the winning submissions continue to showcase scholastic journalism excellence,” said JEA National Contest Chair Nancy Smith, MJE. 

All entries were critiqued by teams of advisers and journalism professionals who shared strengths and offered suggestions for improvement. Students who submitted work online can access critiques on the NSMC website using their login credentials, while onsite participants received written feedback at the closing awards ceremony on April 18. Those unable to attend the ceremony will receive critiques and any awards by mail later this month.

Additionally, through JEA’s SmugMug site, students and advisers can view thousands of photos from JEA photo contests in each of the nine categories, from this fall and previous years. The site houses all of the photos that have been recognized in past conventions so users can learn from those student photographers.

SmugMug has an interface that discourages copying of images and allows full display of metadata including camera data and captions. So photojournalists really can break down the photo to discuss technique, composition and the meaning of the images.

“Thank you to the judges who provided their time and expertise to provide critical feedback to all our contestants on the work they entered in the spring 2026 NSMC contests,” Smith said. “In addition to the awards many of those photos, stories, videos, designs and graphic designs earned, all submissions received critical feedback that we hope will be of great value to the students.”