The Daily Gazette is hoping to inspire the journalists of tomorrow.
The newspaper has announced its 21st annual writing and photography competition — The Student Gazette — designed to stimulate creativity and an interest in journalism in young people.
Students in elementary, middle and high schools will submit entries in several categories. The payoffs are recognition in print — student efforts will be published June 7 — and cash prizes.
Newspaper officials are looking for entries in the following categories: news/feature writing, sports writing, opinion writing, editorial cartoons and photography.
The contest will be separated into three divisions: grades 3-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12. Prizes of $25, $50 and $100 will be awarded for third, second and first places, respectively.
Daily Gazette Editor Miles Reed said The Student Gazette is one of the highlights of the year for the newspaper’s staff.
“It’s a great pleasure to welcome all of the winners and their loved ones to the awards ceremony,” Reed said. “It’s such a positive day. These student journalists represent the best of the community.”
Letters explaining the project have been sent to many schools in The Gazette’s circulation area. Teachers have been encouraged to ask students to enter the competition.
The deadline for this year’s contest is Wednesday, April 17. Winners will be notified on Monday, April 29. An awards ceremony will be held at The Gazette on Wednesday, May 8.
Winning entries will be displayed in a special section that will be published June 7.
The Student Gazette 2019
A special newspaper written and illustrated by students
The editorial contest is open to students in grades 3-12.
Entrants must live within The Daily Gazette circulation area.
Stories, comics and photos must be submitted by April 17, 2019.
Prizes: First place – $100; Second Place – $50; Third place – $25
The editorial contest includes five categories: Opinion, News/Features, Photos, Sports and Cartoons. There are three grade divisions: 3-6; 7-9 and 10-12.
Opinion: This category lets you express your opinion about news, issues or controversies. Reviews (of restaurants, moves, books) are also accepted under this category. 500 words maximum.
News/Features: This category features stories you write about people, places, events or issues happening in your community. Your article must be factual and objective and not include your own opinion. 500 words maximum.
Sports: This category includes stories about any kind of sports. While we accept articles about national and international sports, extra points are awarded to submissions that include original local reporting. 500 words maximum.
Cartoons: Editorial cartoons: One-to-four panel comics are accepted in this category. Black ink or colored pencil or ink preferred but text must be in ink. Digital entries also accepted at [email protected].
Photos: Limit of four photos per student. Make sure to clearly label photos with student information (name, grade, school, contact information).
General contest rules:
- Teachers may submit an entry from their students as part of a classroom activity or students may enter their own work. Children of Daily Gazette employees may participate but their work cannot be judged in the contest. Students may enter as many categories as they wish.
- First, second and third place winners will be selected from each division by Daily Gazette staff members. Winners will be notified by mail and prizes will be issued. Winning entries will make up the bulk of the publication. All entries cannot be published.
- Each entry must be clearly marked with the student’s NAME, AGE, GRADE, SCHOOL, HOME ADDRESS, ZIP CODE, PHONE NUMBER AND CATEGORY. If homeschooled, send NAME, AGE, HOME ADDRESS, ZIP CODE, PHONE NUMBER, CATEGORY AND GRADE EQUIVALENT.
- All entries become the property of the Daily Gazette. Students are encouraged to keep copies of the work they enter.
- ANY ENTRY NOT MEETING CONTEST RULES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
Editorial rules:
- Grade divisions for editorial contest are 3-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
- Entries must be received by April 17, 2019.
- Each entry must be clearly marked with the student’s NAME, AGE, GRADE, SCHOOL, HOME ADDRESS, ZIP CODE, PHONE NUMBER, TEACHER’S NAME AND CATEGORY. If homeschooled, send NAME, AGE, HOME ADDRESS, ZIP CODE, PHONE NUMBER, CATEGORY AND GRADE EQUIVALENT.
- Handwritten entries are accepted but typed entries are preferred.
- The Daily Gazette reserves the right to edit or crop to correct factual inaccuracies or fit available space.
- Entries should be mailed to: The Daily Gazette, 2345 Maxon Road Extension, Schenectady, NY 12301. Entries may also be emailed to
[email protected]. Entries can also be dropped off at the above address.
ALL ENTRIES MUST CONTAIN “Attention Student Gazette” on the envelope for surface mail and in the subject line for emails.
Categories: -News-, Fulton Montgomery Schoharie, Saratoga County, Schenectady County
