CONTESTS
KSPA offers several opportunities for students to be recognized for their work and get feedback throughout the year. Among our key contests:
REGIONAL
CONTESTS
About the contest: Students prepare work in response to prompts for 27 categories, demonstrating strengths in writing, design, illustration, photography, videography and more. Regionals is the qualifier for the KSPA state contest. Find information about our 2026 Regional Contests at this link.
Deadline: See our calendar for deadlines.
STATE
CONTESTS
About the contest: Students who place at regionals advance to the state journalism contest. At state, students once again have the opportunity to earn recognition, including medals for students who place first through third and trophies for the state sweepstakes championships.
Deadline: See our calendar for deadlines.
QUARTERLY CLIPS CONTESTS
About the contest: Four times a year, students enter the best work from their publications. KSPA offers 20 different contests at each deadline. Students who place are recognized with certificates, and their work is shared at kspaonline.org and on our Instagram.
Deadline: See our calendar for deadlines.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CONTESTS
About the contest: Each winter, middle school students enter their work in our annual clips contests. Students who place are recognized with certificates, and their work is shared at kspaonline.org and on our Instagram.
Deadline: See our calendar for deadlines.