Annual Contest Information

Submission for the 2024-2025 OSMA Individual Entry Contests is now open!

 

Information about the 2024-2025 Contests:

Step-by-step instructions for submitting your individual contest entries are below. This year, we have revised the list of contest categories to include a brand new newswriting category as well as more clarity and updated directions for many of our multimedia categories.

Note:  Remember that contests are included in your annual OSMA membership.  Haven’t joined yet for 2024-2025? Here’s a link to the membership information. 

The deadline for all annual individual contests, as well as overall contests, is Monday, January 27, 2025.

 

2024-25 Digital Submission Instructions

Step 1: Prepare your Digital Entries

For entries found on the web: You’re set! Nothing extra to prepare.

For entries published in print editions: 

1. Export the page or spread as a .pdf.  If submitting a spread, make sure the export settings are set as spread and not as pages. If submitting a multi-page package, save all the pages into one .pdf. (For Yearbook Theme category, please save all applicable files into a folder and share the folder link)
2. If you are submitting an entire page pdf for the judging of one article/photo on that page, it is highly recommended that you mark or clarify for the judges what they should look at.
3. Photographs should be submitted in ways that allow the judge to see the caption and any other supporting materials (like a pdf of the full spread/story). If more than one photo is visible in the pdf, please make sure we understand which one to judge.  

Step 2: Upload and Share

For entries found on the web: You’re set! Nothing extra to prepare. Just make sure you include the direct link to the contest submission for each entry in your contest roster & registration forms.

For entries published in print editions: 

• Your entries must be uploaded online as PDFs and permissions must be set so that “anyone with the link can view.” 
• It is recommended that you create a folder for all of your contest entries for the year, but how you organize your entries is up to you. 
• It is recommended that you name your entries according to the following format:

Entry Category #_School_Student First_Last Name

Example: 51_Antwerp_Maddie_Boesch

• Get a shareable link for each entry. [In Google drive, click the blue “Share” button. Use the pull-down menu to select “Anyone with the Link.” Then click “Copy Link.”] 

Step 3: Fill out the Contest Roster

1. Fill out the Contest Roster with all of your school’s entry titles and names. [Go to File/Make a Copy; save as School_2024 Contest Roster. Set permissions to  “Anyone with the Link”]
2. Once you have completed the Contest Roster form, please share with [email protected]. [In Google drive, click the blue “Share” button.  Type in the email address [email protected] under “People,” then click Done.]

Step 4: Submit Your Entries

1. Fill out the Individual Advance Contest Registration Form for each entry listed on your Contest Roster. Fill out the form with the student’s name, grade, school information, category, and then paste the shareable link.