The Satellite will hold an editorial contest open to NHS students starting today and ending Dec. 18; the first place contest winners from both divisions, written and visual, will win a $50 cash prize. Below are the full contest guidelines.

Eligibility:

• NHS  students of all grades and learning methods may participate
• Current Satellite staff members may not participate 

Two Divisions: 

• Writing (letter to the editor/editorial)
• Visual (editorial cartoon, comic strip, or photo series)

$50 cash prize for first place in both divisions

Time period: one month

(Nov. 16 opening, Dec. 18 deadline)

Guidelines for written submissions:

• Students must work individually
• Word count 400-600 words (suggested) 
• Topics should relate somehow to the audience, which is NHS but can have presence in the outside world. For example, past editorials topics include: 
  • harmful effects of energy drinks and why students should not drink them
  • how the student dress code disrupts classrooms and why it should be altered
  • why the bathrooms at the high school need major improvement
• Submissions should accomplish the following:
  • Catch the readers’ attention
  • Introduce the topic with relevant information
  • Clearly indicate the writer’s stance
  • Provide support for the stance (why is the change necessary? What will it accomplish?)
  • Conclude the editorial by restating the stance and emphasizing its positive impacts. 
  • Be written in third person (suggested)
  • Include quotes from reputable/relevant sources: can include websites, school officials, topic experts, NHS students, community members, etc. 
• Include one photo or graphic as a featured image

Guidelines for visual submissions:

• Students must work individually
• Topics should relate somehow to the audience, which is Neenah High School, but can have presence in the outside world. For example, past visual topics include: 
  • Promoting student events, such as musicals or sports games
  • Holidays (see “Happy Halloween ” cartoon)
  • Action shots of learning around the school
• Submissions should accomplish the following: 
  • Reflect opinions of the artist
  • Be visually appealing
  • Include a variety of photos, if it is a photo series. 5-15 suggested

How to Submit

• Format: Times New Roman, 12 pt font on Google Docs for written
• Do not include your name or personal information on the document itself.
• Download as a PDF (written) or JPG/PNG (visual)
• attach download in an email to Ashlyn Jacobs, Satellite Editor-in-chief, at [email protected]
• In the subject line, use the following format: Lastname, Firstname: Satellite Visual/Written Contest Submission 
• Submit by midnight on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020

Judging

• Submissions will be judged by the Satellite editors
• Winners will be contacted via email
• First place winners will get cash prize

Winning submissions and honorable mentions will be published on neenahsatellite.com