Here is a brief description of our individual contests and evaluation services to help you decide which services you want to take advantage of as a SCSPA member.

What is ESNA? (newspaper staffs only)

ESNA stands for Excellence in Scholastic Newspaper Awards. The contest used to be called“Story of the Month” back in the days when we actually had monthly contests! This competition is a way to recognize individuals on a staff.

The competition is especially rewarding in years when the publication as a whole might be lacking in overall excellence, but individual work in specific areas is outstanding. Even if individuals do not place, they have the satisfaction of knowing that you – their adviser – thought their work worthy of entering in the competition. Such a pat-on-the-back can go a long way in building self-confidence and ultimately staff morale.

Staffs may enter 10 of the 12 categories each competition period – November and March. Entires must be postmarked by the Nov. 15 or March 15 deadline.

A first, second and third place is awarded in each category in each class. Classes are schools with enrollment of 1,500 or less, schools with enrollment of 1,551 or more and middle schools.

ESNA information and forms can be found on the SCSPA Web site under forms. For more information, please contact Karen Flowers.

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What are the individual competitions?

Individual competitions are offered for broadcast, magazine and yearbook staffs. This competition is a way to recognize individuals on a staff.

Broadcast staffs may enter five of the seven categories, magazine staffs may enter up to seven categories and yearbook staffs may enter up to six categories. For competition entry deadlines see SCSPA calendar.

A first, second and third place is awarded in each category in each class for the magazine and yearbook competition. Classes are schools with enrollment of 1,500 or less, schools with enrollment of 1,551 or more and middle schools. A superior, excellent and honorable mention rating is awarded in each category of the broadcast competition.

To pay for the individual competition, advisers can send the $20 fee in with their membership at the beginning of the year, or they may send a check with the entry form and the entries.

For more information, please contact Karen Flowers.

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What is a mini-evaluation?

Here’s the way mini-evaluations work:

Step 1
Advisers send fall issues of their school’s paper to SCSPA to get feedback on the strengths and weaknesses. An area on the entry form encourages advisers to ask the judge for comments in specific areas.
The feedback is quick (2-3 weeks) and helps staffs improve not only for the intrinsic value of the learning experience but also to help them improve before the critiques later in the year.

Step 2
SCSPA mails the papers to judges who will provide one-two pages of comments in general areas. Usually they comment on writing, design, headlines, graphics and photographs.

Step 3
When judges complete the evaluations, they will e-mail the comments to me, and I will forward to the adviser. The papers will not be returned.
The cost of this service is $20. You may pay at the beginning of the year with your membership, or you may mail the check with the paper and entry form.

For more information, please contact Karen Flowers.

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What is ESNA?

What are the indivudal competitions?

What is a mini-evaluations