Submit General Excellence and Individual Awards entries for newspaper, newsmagazine, news websites, and broadcasting published between Feb. 1, 2025 and Feb. 1 , 2026.
View Spring Contest details at https://www.ugagspa.org/spring-competitions.
Sponsored by: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
This competition is designed to recognize middle school or high school journalists in Georgia who excel in reporting on behavioral health issues, with a focus on increasing awareness and competency, reducing stigma, and increasing the volume of high-quality, accurate, and sensitive media coverage. Entries should demonstrate a deep understanding of behavioral health, avoid stigmatizing or stereotyping language, and include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 988 end card.
Monetary prizes have been designated as follows: 1st place - $750, 2nd place -$500, 3rd place $250, and will be awarded based on the number of qualified and deserving entries as deemed by the judging panel. More details here.
Now is the time to enter the Georgia Champion Journalist and Junior Journalist of the Year contests. The complete Champion Journalist and Jr. Champion Journalist Guidelines and form for entry will be available for submission Dec. 1, 2025 through Jan. 26, 2026. Entrants must create a comprehensive online portfolio to showcase their best journalistic pieces, skills and achievements. There are no entry fees for either of these contests.
Check out contest details at https://www.ugagspa.org/ga-joy.
Achievement Awards recognize "behind-the-scenes" work of staffs or individuals. Please submit an entry form for each entry. Entry forms are available now.
There is no fee to enter Achievement Award categories, and they are open to all publication types. The deadline for entries is Feb. 1, 2026.
GSPA and its members from across the state will celebrate the best in scholastic journalism at the Spring Workshop and Awards. The event will be held at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education on Monday, March 18, 2026. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. A workshop will lead the event, 9-11:45 a.m., followed by a banquet-style awards luncheon at noon, catered by the Georgia Center. Professional dress is suggested.
Do you feel passionate about telling true stories that make the news? Acquire critical tools to become a multi-skilled journalist in this ever-changing digital landscape.
Practice the art of interviewing, multimedia reporting, writing, editing, and producing alongside a professional journalist.
Explore visual journalism and social media storytelling, and work with your instructor to produce a news website.
For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/multimedia-journalism-6-8-2026/
Are you interested in careers in the film, television, radio, online, mobile and other new media industries? In this course, participants will be introduced to the exciting entertainment field and what it encompasses.
They will gain valuable skills for conceiving what stories are worth telling while also gaining an understanding of the implications of visual storytelling in society. They will learn the basics of content production, from screenwriting to digital editing. Over the course of the week, they will work on a project to showcase in their portfolios.
For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/entertainment-and-media-studies-6-8-2026/
Learn how to become a creative problem solver, writer, decision-maker, and persuasive communicator within traditional and new media in this exciting Advertising and Public Relations camp.
Explore ways to reach target audiences and effectively communicate your messages to the public, and even design an integrated campaign for a non-profit organization.
For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/advertising-and-public-relations-6-15-2026/
In this course, participants will learn to find and tell stories that matter with a focus on developing storytelling skills in audio and visual forms. They'll consider what makes a story important, how to gather credible information, and how to present it in the most effective way.
Participants will practice and hone technical skills in reporting, videography and video editing as the class works together with the instructors to final project.
For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/broadcast-journalism-6-15-2026/
Mark your calendars for the next Fall Conference Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at the University of Georgia’s Tate Student Center. The event will feature several rounds of concurrent sessions covering a variety of topics of importance to scholastic journalists and advisers.
Visit https://www.ugagspa.org/conference for more details.
