Best in the South  
Journalism Contest

Use the quick links below to go to: 
"Best in the South" Rankings 
Eligibility for the Contest 
Preparation of Entries 
Submission of Entries

I. Categories

A. Contest. The SEJC Best in the South contest recognizes individual students' overall abilities and efforts. The contest consists of 24 categories listed below. There is no cost to enter the contest, but schools entering students’ work in the contest must be members in good standing of SEJC. Certificates recognizing a students’ placement in the Best in the South contest are presented annually ast the SEJC convention. See Section IV for specific submission requirements for each category.

1. Best News Reporter  
2. Best Feature Writer  
3. Best Arts and Entertainment Writer  
4. Best Opinion-Editorial Writer  
5. Best Sports Writer  
6. Best Special Event Reporter/Editor  
7. Best Press Photographer  
8. Best News Graphic Designer  
9. Best News-Editorial Artist/Illustrator  
10. Best Newspaper Page Layout Designer  
11. Best Magazine Page Layout Designer  
12. Best Magazine Writer  
13. Best Radio Journalist  
14. Best Television Journalist  
15. Best Advertising Staff Member  
16. Best Journalism Research Paper  
17. Best Public Service Journalism  
18. Best College Radio Station  
19. Best College TV Station  
20. Best College Magazine  
21. Best College Newspaper  
22. Best College Web Site  
23. College Journalist of the Year  
24. Outstanding Journalism Educator

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II. "Best in the South" Rankings & Ratings

A. Rankings. Students whose entries receive the highest scores will receive a ranking - No. 1, No. 2, etc. up to No. 10 for categories with a large number of entries. First, second or third places in limited interest areas are not allowed. In categories with few entries, judges may choose to limit rankings to a Top 5 or fewer. 
 
B. Ratings. Ratings allow the SEJC contest to function as a teaching tool as well as a competition. All entries are given a rating, and judges are encouraged to provide comments and professional advice. Faculty delegates are encouraged to pass ratings and commentaries along to students regardless of whether their entry won Top 10 recognition; however, there is no guarantee that any entries can be returned. The SEJC vice president will strive to assign the same judges to the same entries as much as possible.

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III. Eligibility for the SEJC Contest

1. Enrollment. All entries submitted to the contest must have been published, aired or distributed Nov. 15, 2006-Nov. 15, 2007. All entries must have been written or produced by undergraduate students (including seniors who graduated during 2007) who were enrolled full-time or part-time at an SEJC member college or university at the time their entries were published.  
    
   B. One student, one entry. Each student is allowed to submit only one entry, with one exception. One student from each school, a "special designee" (see C), may submit an entry in more than one category. Entries in the Best Radio Station, Best TV Station, Best Magazine, Best Newspaper, Best Web Site, Best Public Service Journalism and College Journalist of the Year categories are not subject to the one student, one entry rule because they go to the school. The exception here is the College Journalist of the Year winner which goes to the individual but is also exempt from the one-student, one entry rule.

 
C. Special designee. Each school may designate one student to submit an entry in two different categories. All other students must adhere to the one student, one entry rule. If more than one student submits entries in two or more categories, all students from that school will be disqualified. 
 
D. One school, one entry per category, plus. In general, each school is allowed to submit one entry per category. However, if a school did not enter any one of the newspaper categories for individuals (Categories Nos. 1-10), that school may submit two entries in another category, except Best Radio Station, Best TV Station, Best Magazine, Best Newspaper and Best Web Site categories. If a school did not enter any two newspaper categories for individuals (Categories Nos. 1-10), that school may submit as many as three entries in one other category or two entries in two other categories, except Best Radio Station, Best TV Station, Best Magazine, Best Newspaper and Best Web Site categories. In all cases, however, the one student, one entry rule still applies. 
 
E. Multiple authors. Individual entries written by more than one student are acceptable. If a single entry is submitted by more than one student, as in the case of co-authors, double bylines or co-producers, the single entry is considered to be each of the student's one allowable entry. In any category in which the entry or entries contain a byline with multiple authors, at least one of the authors must be on all of the articles entered. If an entry contains content written or produced by more than one student, but the entry is submitted in order to recognize only one of the students, the entry will be declared invalid.  
 
F. Formats of entries. The SEJC contest accepts items written or produced by students that were published, aired or distributed by any newspaper, magazine, radio station or TV station listed in the current issue of the Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media or Editor & Publisher International Yearbook. No categories are limited to work for campus publications or campus stations except for Best Radio Station, Best TV Station, Best Magazine, Best Newspaper and Best Web Site. Entries in magazine categories (Best Magazine Page Layout Designer, Best Magazine Writer and Best College Magazine) must be from stand-alone publications; magazines that are produced as supplements to newspapers or as yearbooks are ineligible. Items that appeared on Web sites are also acceptable if the Web site is connected to a newspaper, magazine, radio station or TV station or is a stand-alone news Web site officially sanctioned by a campus department of journalism or mass communication. 
 
G. Names. All entries, except for those entered in Best Radio Station, Best TV Station, Best Magazine, Best Newspaper and Best Web Site, must bear a specific student's name(s). Entries with no name or marked as staff or the name of a publication, will be declared invalid if they are entered in a category designed for individuals and not for a publication or station.

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IV. Preparation of Entries

A. Items to be entered. Items are not to be cut out of newspapers or magazines; the entire page or pages on which the item appeared must be in the folder. For all writing and graphics categories, the item to be judged must be circled in blue or red ink. For articles taken off Web sites, each sheet must be 8 1/2 x 11 inches and must have the Web site address. For video or audio tapes, a sticker should be placed on the tape indicating the date and time of the broadcast, the student's name and call letters of the station; hard copy of broadcast scripts may be included, but are not required. For page layouts, indicate which page(s) are to be judged by circling the number on the page in blue or red ink. 
 
B. Folders and envelopes. Each entry must be placed in a standard Manila folder (11 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches) except for entries in the Best Radio Journalist, Best Television Journalist, Best College Radio Station and Best College TV Station categories, which will require standard envelopes (10 x 13 inches). Colored folders or envelopes are not allowed. On the tab of the folder or on the leaf of the envelope must appear the following, in order:

- name of the category 
- student's name 
- student's graduation date or expected graduation date  
- name of school

If any of this information is missing on the tab or leaf, the entry automatically will be declared invalid. The name of the publication or station only should be on the tab or leaf for the Best Radio Station, Best TV Station, Best Magazine, Best Newspaper and Best Web Site categories. 
 
C. Placing items in folders. Items should be folded and placed in folders so that nothing is hanging out of the folder. For entries that contain bulky materials such as whole newspapers, rubber bands should be placed around the folder to ensure that the items do not fall out. 
 
D. Items to be included in folders (or envelopes) for each category. 
 
1. Best News Reporter. One to three news stories. Stories can be of a spot or in-depth nature. No more than three news stories allowed. For articles that appear in a series, each individual article is considered one of the maximum three allowed. 
 
2. Best Feature Writer. One to three feature stories. Features can be profiles or analyses. No more than three feature stories allowed. For articles that appear in a series, each individual article is considered one of the maximum three allowed. 
 
3. Best Arts and Entertainment Writer. One to three stories covering arts and entertainment topics, including reviews and arts columns. No more than three stories allowed. For articles that appear in a series, each individual article is considered one of the maximum three allowed. 
 
4. Best Opinion-Editorial Writer. One to three op-ed items. Opinion columns are allowed only if they appeared on op-ed pages. Editorials that have no bylines are acceptable only if the author is clearly identified on the folder tab. No more than three op-ed items allowed. 
 
5. Best Sports Writer. One to three sports articles. Any combination of sports game stories, sports news stories and sports features is allowed. Columns are allowed only if they appeared on a sports page. No more than three sports stories allowed. For articles that appear in a series, each individual article is considered one of the maximum three allowed. 
 
6. Best Special Event Reporter/Editor. One to three news stories or features covering health-related issues – everything from physical and mental health to STDs to alcohol abuse. Opinion pieces are not allowed. For articles that appear in a series, each individual article is considered one of the maximum three allowed. 
 
7. Best Press Photographer. One to three published photographs of a news, sports or feature nature. Glossy photos may be attached to the page, but this is not a requirement. Photo essays consisting of multiple pictures are not allowed. 
 
8. Best News Graphic Designer. One to three pieces of computer-generated artwork of a news or feature nature. Artwork can be stand-alones or accompaniments to articles. Opinion-Editorial items are not allowed. 
 
9. Best News-Editorial Artist/Illustrator. One to three pieces of non-computer-generated artwork of a news or editorial nature. Artwork can be stand-alones or accompaniments to articles. Editorial cartoons are allowed. Comic strips with no news or editorial value are not allowed. 
 
10. Best Newspaper Page Layout Designer. One to three newspaper pages of a news, feature, sports or editorial nature. 
 
11. Best Magazine Page Layout Designer. One to three magazine article layouts. All pages that are associated with an individual article are to be submitted. 
 
12. Best Magazine Writer. One to three articles of a news, feature, sports or editorial nature. For articles that appear in a series, each individual article is considered one of the maximum three allowed. 
 
13. Best Radio Journalist. Audio cassette tapes or CDs containing one to three individual radio news or sports stories. Whole newscasts are not to be included. Entry should be placed in a standard envelope (10 x 13 inches). 
 
14. Best Television Journalist. VHS videocassettes containing one to three individual TV news or sports stories. Whole newscasts are not to be included. Entry should be placed in a standard envelope (10 x 13 inches). 
 
15. Best Advertising Staff Member. One to three advertisements published (provide whole newspaper or magazine pages) or aired (provide audio or videocassettes). It is not necessary for the student to have sold the ad, but it is required that the ad copy was edited by the student and the ad display or commercial was designed and produced by the student. 
 
16. Best Journalism Research Paper. One term paper of no more than 25 pages including notes and bibliography. Three copies of the paper must be provided. 
 
17. Best Public Service Journalism. One project intended to help solve or recognize a community or campus problem. The entry must contain a typewritten statement describing the project and its results and one to four supporting items that could include articles, editorials, photos or letters of recommendation. 
 
18. Best College Radio Station. One audio cassette tape or CD containing one newscast of the station manager's choosing that aired anytime between Nov. 15, 2006 and Nov. 15, 2007, and one audio cassette tape containing a newscast that was aired on Sept. 12,. 2007. If no newscast was aired on Sept. 12, a station newscast aired on the date closest to Sept. 12 should be submitted. Only campus-based stations are allowed. 
 
19. Best College TV Station. One VHS videocassette tape containing one newscast of the station manager's choosing that aired anytime between Nov. 15, 2006 and Nov. 15, 2007, and one VHS videocassette tape containing a newscast that was aired on Sept. 12, 2007. If no newscast was aired on Sept. 12, a station newscast aired on the date closest to Sept. 12 should be submitted. Only campus-based stations are allowed. 
 
20. Best College Magazine. In a rules change from recent years, magazines that publish only once a year may now enter the contest. For schools that publish one magazine per year, a complete edition of the magazine published anytime between Nov. 15, 2006 and Nov. 15, 2007, may be submitted. For schools that publish two or more magazines per year, submissions should consist of one complete edition of the editor's choice published between Nov. 15, 2006 and Nov. 15, 2007, along with one edition of the magazine that was published on or nearest Sept. 12, 2007. Entries must be stand-alone publications; magazines that are produced as supplements to newspapers or as yearbooks are ineligible. Only non-fiction, campus-based magazines are accepted. 
 
21. Best College Newspaper. One complete edition of the newspaper of the editor's choice that was published anytime between Nov. 15, 2006 and Nov. 15, 2007, and one edition of the newspaper that was published on or nearest Sept. 12, 2007. Only campus-based newspapers are allowed. The vice president will report the final point standings for all entries in this category. 
 
22. Best College Web Site. Entrants must supply the URL address of one news-based, student-produced Web site. Submit URL typed, on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet. 
 
23. College Journalist of the Year. All entries should include a resume, two letters of recommendation (only one of which can be from a teacher or adviser), three to five work samples, and a personal essay of at least 500 words addressing commitment and responsibility. Entries that do not include all of the above will be disqualified. 
 
24. Outstanding Journalism Educator. This award is chosen by a committee of past winners who will solicit nominations. Those interested in making nominations should contact Dr. Joe Mirando at joemirando@selu.edu.