The PSJA Journalism Contest, co-sponsored by the Private School Journalism Association and Quill and Scroll, seeks to honor the best journalism produced by private and independent school students. It is a “portfolio” contest, one that seeks not to reward single stories, but a pattern of excellence over the course of a year.
Other than Editorial Leadership, work produced for the contest should have been published in a news publication — in print or online — or a yearbook between March 8, 2025 and March 6, 2026. Deadline for entries will be Friday, March 6, 2026. An awards ceremony will occur after judging is finalized.
Winners will receive unframed certificates. Quill and Scroll will tabulate points of all students who place in the competition and award the Blue and Gold Award plaque to the school that compiles the most points.
The top school will receive a plaque and earn free memberships to Quill and Scroll for four of its winning students, provided they meet the organization’s academic standards (3.0 GPA or top-third in one’s class: freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, and have a Quill and Scroll Charter).
Each individual entry will cost $20 for PSJA member schools ($25 for non-members). Payment can be made by credit card or check. To become a member of the Private School Journalism Association, please contact David Cutler or go to the PSJA website.
Contest judges will come from the ranks of professional journalists and professors of journalism.
Click here for entry form and more information.
