Awards & Contests

OSMA offers a variety of awards and contests each year.

Overall critiques – Newspaper, Newsmagazine & Website

Apply by late January each year to get a comprehensive look at the overall quality of your publication. Publications receive detailed feedback on a variety of criteria and are eligible to receive an overall rating of All-Ohio, First Class, Second Class, or Third Class.

Yearbook critiques

Submit your most recent yearbook for an overall critique and get timely, useful feedback that can help you as you prepare your next book as well as an overall rating of All-Ohio, First Class, Second Class, or Third Class.  Deadlines for submission are June 30, September 30 and November 30, based on when your book gets distributed to students.

Pre-entered individual contests

Each January, your program can submit contest entries in over 50 different categories – all included as a membership benefit for OSMA. Categories range from newspaper/newsmagazine, yearbook, broadcast, podcast, and online. Your students will get feedback from judges as well as the chance of a rating of Superior, Excellent, or Honorable Mention for their individual work.

Journalist of the Year award/scholarship

Advisers, if you also happen to be a member of the Journalism Education Association, your seniors are eligible to submit portfolios as part of the JEA Journalist of the Year scholarship. One winner chosen from Ohio receives a $1000 scholarship as well as a chance to compete at the national level for even more cash prizes.