Ryan White, born with haemophilia, was diagnosed with AIDS at age 13. White became a pioneer in AIDS education, spending the remaining years of his young life trying to help slow the spread of AIDS and reducing prejudice against people living with AIDS. He was persistent in his efforts to educate his community, teachers and the American public until his death in 1990.
Entry Criteria
Scholastic journalists are encouraged to cover health issues to inform their school communities. Entries may come from high school newspapers, newsmagazines, literary-art magazines, yearbooks, online and broadcast media.
Print categories are:
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Editorial
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Commentary
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Feature
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Double truck/Feature package
Broadcast/Online categories are:
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Feature — television
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Feature — online or podcast
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Commentary — television or radio
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PSA — television or radio
The entry must be original student work and must have been published or broadcasted within one year of the contest deadline. Date of publication/broadcast must be indicated.
Entries with inaccurate or misleading information will be disqualified.
The individual (or team of students who worked on the same entry) must be a member of his or her high school's newspaper, newsmagazine, yearbook, or literary-art magazine staff or a member of his or her high school's radio, television or Web production class or staff.
Requirements
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A completed application form. Go to
www.jea.org under Awards and Contests to obtain the entry form.
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A standard audio cassette, video tape (VHS format only), or link to your Web site or podcast of your best work, not to exceed 3 minutes. (Please include two copies)
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Broadcast entries can be submitted on DVD, Mini DVD and VHS.
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If your submission is an online entry, include the Web site's url and name of the entry.
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If Web, please include link name.
Entries must be postmarked no later than July 1, 2009.
Purpose
A responsible student press informs its community. The student journalist should tell the truth about health issues in an interesting and relevant manner. We hold the Ryan White Excellence in Journalism Award so that:
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High School newspapers, newsmagazines, literary-art magazines, yearbooks and broadcast media will cover health issues.
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Coverage will be well researched, inform students and promote dialogue in school communities.
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Student editors and writers will learn of the best resources available to write on health issues.
Award Recognition
The Ryan White Excellence in Journalism Award is a juried award. Entries are evaluated by professionals who cover health issues. Awards in each print and broadcast/online category are $300 for first place and $150 for second place. Honorable mentions in each of those categories will receive $50 gift certificates to the JEA Bookstore. All prizes will not be awarded if entries do not meet entry criteria and production quality.