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AT THE WASHINGTON, D.C. CONVENTION, 769 STUDENTS received awards in the JEA Write-off competitions. CLICK HERE to see the results.
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David LaBelle critiques images in the JEA Write-off contest at the fall 2009 convention. Photo by Andrew Visconti. |
CLICK HERE for rules in individual contests
Contest rules & policy
The JEA Write-off contest chair(s) will have overall supervision of the contest and will supply the local contest coordinator with a policy handbook, sample copies of required materials and instruction on the organization and execution of the contests. The local contest coordinator is responsible for the organization and execution of the contests as directed by JEA Write-off chair(s).
These rules were substantially revised in the fall of 2009. They were last substantially revised in the fall of 2006.
Before the convention
- The adviser of entrants must be a current JEA member.
- All contestants must be registered by the deadline, usually three weeks before the convention. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Entries are processed in the order received. Contest categories will be closed to new entrants once target maximums are reached or if it is too late to enter. Missing deadlines due to “just received permission,” “business office late” and similar situations will not be acceptable excuses for late entries. Entries without names will not be accepted. Contestants must be in attendance at the convention.
- Advisers and contestants should print the rules and regulations and read them thoroughly. Bring a copy to the convention for easy acess and review.
- A minimum four category entries must be received for a contest to be conducted.
- Entries are limited to one contestant per category, per school. EXCEPTIONS: An individual or a two-person team may submit one story in broadcast carry-in categories. A two-person team is required for In-Camera Feature and Broadcast Package. Each person must pay the registration and contest entry fees and be in attendance at the convention.
- Junior high /middle school students may compete in any contest.
- No refunds will be given unless canceled 14 or more days before the convention. Contact JEA for cancellations.
- Contestants need to provide their own materials for the contests, as noted at the beginning of each group of contests and in individual category descriptions. The JEA Bookstore at the convention will have many of the materials for sale in limited quantities. JEA will not provide materials other than those noted.
Convention and competition
- Tickets for each contestant must be picked up by the adviser at the Write-off desk during regular registration hours and checked for accurate ticket assignments before leaving the Write-off desk area. A lost ticket can be replaced for a $5 charge. JEA will replace tickets only if the contestant is on the original Write-off lists, contestant shows a photo ID and convention name badge, and the contestant pays JEA $5 when he receives the replacement ticket.
- Name substitutions and spelling changes may be made during registration hours until noon on Friday at the Write-off desk. Categories may not be changed.
- Ticket must be presented to compete. Students who arrive at their contest after the start time may be disqualified. Students who leave before their entry is submitted or who leave critique sessions early may be disqualified.
- Visitors are not allowed to remain in the contest rooms.
- If space is available, and with the approval of the Write-off directors, entries that do not meet the requirements (i.e. missed deadlines, oversized mounting, etc.) may be critiqued but will not be eligible for an award. Each participant must pay the contest entry fees.
- If any contestant’s name, school name or identifying mark is mentioned or implied, the entry will be disqualified except in photo and computer design competitions in which a school identification appears incidentally as part of a picture; broadcast categories where names of contestants may be used. On-Air Reporter, Broadcast Commentary, Commentary and Editorial contestants need to take special note of this rule.
- Students need to check individual categories and contests for materials requirements. Bring your own 8.5-by-11-inch lined and/or plain paper for writing contests. JEA will provide layout sheets. Battery-operated tape recorders with earphones, electronic spell checkers, dictionaries, thesauruses and AP Stylebooks are allowed during the contests with the exception of the 08 News Editing Category.
- Do not bring the following items into the contest room: food and drink, art supplies, colored pens or pencils, samples of your or others’ work, computers.
- Cell phones must be turned off during the contests. Polite use of personal listening devices is allowed when the sound produced by such devices cannot by heard by other participants. Contestants who fail to comply with this guideline risk disqualification.
- No talking to other contestants other than in critique sessions. Ask the moderator or monitor to answer any questions.
- Students must write their contestant number on each page of their written entry, or on the backs of matted entries. Number any pages and staple them together.
- Each contest has a moderator who will open the contest promptly, give all explanations, hand out assignment sheets, introduce the speaker if one is required for the contest, and see that all time limits are followed, including speaker time which allows 70 minutes of writing time for students. No contestant will be given additional time. Moderators must collect all materials before contestants leave the room.
- Computer design, photography, newsmagazine and newspaper layout, and yearbook layout for inside pages and cover/endsheets contests require contestants to attend on-site critique sessions 4-6 p.m. Friday. Broadcast carry-in contestants must check the convention program and update for time and place to meet on Friday. Otherwise risking disqualification, students must be present for the entire session. Moderators and participants will view and discuss each entry in small groups. Judging does not occur during this process.
Judging the contests
- At least two individuals judge each contest. With the entry risking disqualification and in the interest of fairness, judges may not participate in evaluating entries from their own schools.
- Judges are to be instructed that they will provide comments on the JEA critique sheet or through online critiquing. The critique is used for feedback to the contestant, not for judging. Sometimes it is a special spark or creative element that will push one entry to the forefront. High marks do not necessarily mean the entry will receive any award.
- If an entry indicates that the student is a danger to himself or others, the entry will be disqualified, the JEA director notified, and the school may face other disciplinary action.
- In the event of a controversy, the local contest coordinator must consult with the JEA Write-off Contest chair(s); together they will make the decision, after an attempt to clarify with the judges when appropriate. In the event that they cannot agree, the national chair(s) will make the final decision.
Awards
- Winners receive a certificate and are recognized at the Sunday awards ceremony. The ratings are superior, excellent and honorable mention. Superior ratings, which are awarded with a medal, may be given to no more than 10 percent of the entries in any contest. Judges may give as many ratings in excellent and honorable mention as appropriate.
- Winning entries may be displayed or published in JEA publications or on its Web site. Winners’ names and schools will be published on the JEA Web site.
- There will be no sweepstakes. Emphasis will be placed on the learning experience provided each individual contestant.
- Contest entries are available for pickup at the Sunday awards ceremony. Unclaimed packets will be mailed to the schools. Oversized entries must be picked up. They will not be mailed.
CLICK HERE for rules in individual contests.
CLICK HERE for guidelines on how to prepare photos for online submission. |
