Deadline
March 15, 2024
This award encourages junior high and middle school students to continue with journalistic studies in high school. This award will acknowledge and reward the work of junior high and middle school students. One overall winner and up to five finalists, based on the amount of total entries, will be selected each year.
Entry Criteria
The applicant must:
- Be in eighth grade (ninth grade for 7-9 middle school programs) and at least 13 years old.
- Be planning to continue the study of and participation in journalism in high school.
- Have been in a junior high or middle school journalism program for at least one year.
- Be a student of a JEA member adviser.
- Submit a digital portfolio. Limited to one per school.
Judging Criteria
The following categories will be given a score (1-4) based on quality, scope and impact.
- Skilled and creative use of media.
- Inquiring mind and investigative persistence.
- Courageous and responsible handling of issues.
- Variety of journalistic experiences.
- Sustained and commendable work with school media.
4 = Exemplary
3 = Excellent
2 = Fair
1 = Adequate
Quality — Does the material presented in this portfolio demonstrate superior quality of work in the category over a period of time?
Scope — Does the material presented in this portfolio demonstrate a wide range of quality work in the category over a period of time?
Impact —Does the material presented in this portfolio document the impact of this student’s journalistic work in the category over a period of time?
Portfolio Checklist
The applicant must include the following in a portfolio:
- Aspiring Young Journalist official application form, which asks for the following to be completed in the form or uploaded.
- Photo of the applicant.
- Letter of introduction from the applicant.
- Resumé. (Suggestions include address, education, journalism experience, extracurricular activities, hobbies/interests, clubs/sports, community service, references)
- Two letters of recommendation, one from the publication teacher/adviser and another by someone [other than your parent) who can discuss your journalism accomplishments.
- Three to five examples of the applicant’s journalistic work with an explanation of each written by the applicant. Written explanations should include why the student chose the example, what the student did to create the example, what the student learned while creating it, what the student might do differently in creating a similar piece in the future.
- Writing sample answering the question, “What is the importance and benefit of middle school journalism programs?”
Award Recognition
Winners in attendance at the JEA awards ceremony at the spring convention will be recognized. Winners not in attendance will receive a mailed certificate.