Quill and Scroll Writing, Visual, Multimedia Contest

1. Categories

The contest includes categories in:

• Writing: News Writing, DEI and Social Justice Writing, Feature Writing, Profile Writing, Staff Editorial Writing, Review Writing, Column Writing (Non-Sports and Sports), In-Depth Reporting/Individual Writing, In-Depth Reporting/Team Writing, Sports Feature Writing, Sports Game/Event Coverage, Political Writing, Health, Science, and Agriculture Writing, Climate and Environment Writing, News Writer of the Year, and Beginning Writer.
• Visuals: Breaking News Photography, Feature Photography, Sports Action Photography, Sports Reaction Photography, Photo Illustration, Photo Gallery, Profile or Environmental Portrait, Beginning Photographer, Editorial Cartoon, Informational Graphic, News Magazine Front Page Design, Newspaper Front Page Design, Features Page Design (Single Page or Two-Page Spread), Sports Page Design, Editorial Page Design, and Beginning Designer/Artist.
• Multimedia: Video News Package, Video Sports Package, Video Features Package, Video DEI, Social Justice Reporting, Documentary Video, Audio Podcast: Single Episode, Interactive Informational Graphic, News Show, Multimedia Feature/News Package, Multimedia Sports Package, Multimedia Opinion Package, Social Media, News Content Creator/Influencer (NEW), Beginning Podcaster, Beginning Social Media Journalist, Beginning Multimedia Journalist, Beginning Videographer
• Middle School: Middle School Writing, Middle School Visual, and Middle School Multimedia (NEW)

Details about the categories can be viewed on the official competition website. 

2. Prizes

Judges will award first, second, and third places, as well as honorable mentions, recognizing 10–15% of entries in each category. Award recipients can apply for Quill and Scroll student scholarships in May of their senior year.

Points are assigned (5 for first, 4 for second, 3 for third, 1 for HM) to determine Blue and Gold Award winners for each class and the top three in Writing, Photo, and Multimedia subheadings.

Winners of the News Writer of the Year category will be eligible for a $7,500 School of The New York Times Summer Academy scholarship, covering room and board (travel not included). Entries will be judged by The New York Times faculty.

Finalists and winners in the Climate and Environmental Writing category may have their work republished by the Youth Environmental Press Team (YEPT), a youth-led platform focused on environmental issues. Republished writers will receive a $30 payment, and those interested can take on Director roles within YEPT, which offer $1,000 per semester.