2026 Contest Materials

Contest Schedule

Monday, April 20, 2026

8-8:45am: Welcome and contest orientation (check-in, wifi set up, review agenda, introductions, etc)
8:45-9:15am: Quiz
9:15-9:30am: Break
9:30-10am: 20 minute press conference + 10 minute Q&A
10am-1pm: Practicum and communications plan work time

Items available in the Google Drive asset bin folder:

Magazine Layout Design
Target Publication: New Horizons

Utilize any page layout software: Canva, Adobe Express, InDesign, etc.

Task:

Use press packet and information gathered in the press conference to develop a 2-page magazine layout.
Must use the text written by the feature story writer.
Photos, graphics and logos will be provided.
Submit your magazine layout as a PDF file.

Broadcast Production
Utilize any software: Canva Video, iMovie, Movie Maker, Spotify for Podcasters, etc.

Task:

Create a 60-90 second story for the New Horizons website using the press packet, information gathered in the press conference and provided audio/video clips.
Can be a TV story, podcast, video, radio story or slideshow.
Purpose is to promote readership of the story created by your team or supplement what is in the written story.
Submit your broadcast production as a file upload or as a URL link to view submission.

Feature Story
Utilize any software: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.

Task:

Create a 350-500 word news story for New Horizons magazine using the press packet and information gathered in the press conference.
It should be written for the magazine’s target audience, have a strong focus and lead, and include a headline.
You will submit this feature story and your team will use it as the text for the magazine layout design.
Submit your feature story as a PDF file.

Social Media Plan
Utilize any software:
Canva, Adobe Express, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.

Task:

Develop posts to accompany and promote their team’s magazine story.
Create 1-week of content: including at least three social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, etc.) and a minimum of seven posts.
Submit your social media plan as PDF file of screenshots, links and/or embedded image of each created post.

Communications Plan
Utilize template provided below

Task:

Create a 3-page communications plan PDF as if it were to be presented to a client. This should be a collaborative effort with your team.
Should include components noted in the template such as an overview of the plan, central theme, main question, call to action, and the rational and goal of each practicum.
Utilize the Google Docs template provided in the Asset Bin folder.
Submit your communications plan as a PDF file.