National scholastic journalism organizations offer awards, which can bring recognition to your school and an educational experience for yearbook staff. Usually, you must be a member of the organization to enter. The awards are listed by application deadline dates.

Student Awards

September
Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame
College student publications that have received 10 All-American ratings from the ACP critique service within an 11-year span, received 10 Pacemakers since 1970 or a combination of 15 Pacemaker and Pacemaker Finalists awards since 1970 are eligible for the ACP’s Hall of Fame. Nominations must be submitted by Sept. 15 to be inducted that year. For more information, visit studentpress.org/acp/contests.html.

NSPA Hall of Fame
Student publications that have received 10 All-American rankings within an 11-year span are eligible for the NSPA’s Hall of Fame. New inductions are honored at JEA/NSPA High School Journalism Conventions in the spring and in the fall. Nomination letters must be received by Feb. 15 to be inducted in the spring or Sept. 15 to be inducted in the fall. For more information, visit studentpress.org/nspa/contests.html

October
CSPA Crown Awards
Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold and Silver Crowns are among the highest national yearbook honors. A panel of judges considers content, design, coverage, photography writing and editing in awarding the prizes. Winners will be announced in March at the Scholastic Convention at Columbia University in New York City. The submission deadline is Oct. 15. For more information, visit columbia.edu/cu/cspa.

CSPA Gold Circle Awards
These national individual journalism awards include 26 yearbook categories. The deadline is Oct. 31. For more information, visit columbia.edu/cu/cspa.

November
Quill & Scroll Yearbook Excellence Contest
Yearbook staff members can submit work in 12 categories, including theme development, advertising and index as well as photo, copy and design for each yearbook section. Winners are announced in the February/March issue of Quill & Scroll magazine. Entries must be postmarked by Nov. 1. For more information, visit www.uiowa.edu/~quill-sc/contests/yearbook.html.

January
NSPA High School Yearbook Pacemakers
All NSPA members are eligible for the NSPA’s highest honor for student publications. Winners will be announced at the 2012 Spring Convention in Seattle, April 12-15. Yearbooks must be received by Jan. 15, 2012. For more information, visit studentpress.org/nspa/contests.html.

ACP College Yearbook Pacemakers
The Associated Collegiate Press’ highest honor for student publications is college journalism’s oldest prize for general excellence. All members are eligible. 2011 winners will be announced at the Fall 2012 National College Media Convention in Chicago. Yearbooks must be received by Jan. 15. For more information, visit studentpress.org/acp/contests.html.

February
NSPA Hall of Fame
Student publications that have received 10 All-American rankings within an 11-year span are eligible for the NSPA’s Hall of Fame. New inductions are honored at JEA/NSPA High School Journalism Conventions in the spring and in the fall. Nomination letters must be received by Feb. 15 to be inducted in the spring or Sept. 15 to be inducted in the fall. For more information, go to studentpress.org/nspa/contests.html.

NSPA Journalism Honor Roll
Students who have worked on student publications for two or more years and maintained a GPA of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale qualify for this honor. Seniors who qualify may also submit more information to compete for one or more $1,000 scholarships. Deadline is Feb. 15. For more information, visit studentpress.org/nspa/contests.html.

JEA High School Journalists of the Year
Each applicant must be a senior in high school, have worked for a student publication for two years, have at least a 3.0 GPA and plan on studying journalism or mass communications in college. Portfolios are submitted to state directors and the winning portfolios from state competitions compete on the national level. The national winner is announced at the Spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, and  awarded a $5,000 scholarship. Entries must be received by state contest directors by Feb. 15. For more information, visit jea.org/awards.

First Amendment Press Freedom Award
This program — sponsored by JEA, NSPA, CSPA and Quill & Scroll — honors public high schools that respect and protect First Amendment rights for students and teachers. Winners are notified March 1 and will be recognized at the  2012 Spring Convention in Seattle, April 12-15. First round questionnaires are due by Dec. 1, 2011. Schools chosen for the second round will be notified and sent a second set of materials that must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2012.
More information: http://jmc.kent.edu/fapfa/

March
JEA Student Journalist Investigative Reporting Award
Recognizes a high school student, or team of students, who have made a difference in his/her own life, the lives of others, the school he/she attends and/or the community in which he/she resides. This award was formerly called the Student Journalism Impact Award. Contest entries must be received by JEA by March 1, 2012. For more information, visit jea.org/awards/investigativereport.html.

June
NSPA Individual Awards
The individual contests include Story of the Year, Picture of the Year and Design of the Year as well as NSPA cartooning awards. Winners will be announced in September and honored at the Fall Convention. Winners in the 2011 competitions will be honored at the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis, Nov. 17-20, 2011. Deadline for the competition each year will be June 15. For more information, visit studentpress.org/nspa/contests.html.

ACP Individual Awards
The individual contests includes awards for Story of the Year, Reporter of the Year, Photo Excellence and Design of the Year. Cartooning and advertising recognitions are also awarded. Winners in the 2011 contests will be announced at the 2011 National College Media Convention, Oct. 26-30 in Orlando. Deadline for the competition each year will be June 8. Photo excellence entries are accepted online. For more information, visit  http://studentpress.org/acp/contests.html#individual

July
JEA Ryan White Excellence in Journalism Award
This award honors a published student feature or commentary on health issues. The deadline is July 1, 2012. For more information, visit http://www.jea.org/awards/ryanwhite.html