Student Awards For Excellence

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JAN. 9, 2026 4 P.M. CT

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JAN. 9, 2026 4 P.M. CT

The WBA Student Awards are given out at the WBA Student Seminar.

GENERAL RULES

  • As in any contest, conflicts may arise. Issues involving judging of entries will be resolved by the judges; their decisions will be final. Issues involving interpretation of the rules and procedures of the WBA Student Awards Program will be settled by the WBA Education Committee. Their decisions will be final.
  • Each online entry for Television must be submitted in Vimeo or in YouTube.
  • Each online entry for Radio must only be submitted in Soundcloud.
  • College entry fees are $10 per entry. High school entries are free.
  • Fees can be paid online when submitting your entry.
  • Entries must be completed and submitted online. Entries must be received by Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, by 4 p.m. CT. Entries will be accepted starting Dec. 1, 2025.
Submit Entries Here

Judging will be done by educators outside the state of Wisconsin.

Judging of high school entries will be done by Wisconsin educators.

College/University

ELIGIBILITY RULES

  • All entries must have been produced in their entirety by full-time students enrolled in any WBA member college or university for the calendar year 2025.
  • All entries must have been produced in the facilities of and using equipment belonging to or available as part of a regular academic program to any such Wisconsin college or university.
  • Any faculty or professional work used in any entry will disqualify that entry.
  • Entries must consist of original material produced by the student or students submitting the piece and be suitable for broadcast. Entries submitted for a class are also permitted.
  • Entries can only be submitted in one category, except for entries in the category of “Best News Series/Documentary,” “Best Photojournalism,” and “Best Writing” categories.

High School

ELIGIBILITY RULES

  • All entries must have been produced in their entirety by full-time students enrolled in any Wisconsin High School for the calendar year 2025.
  • All entries must have been produced in the facilities of and using equipment belonging to or available as part of a regular academic program to any such Wisconsin High School.
  • Any faculty or professional work used in any entry will disqualify that entry.
  • Entries must consist of original material produced by the student or students submitting the piece and be suitable for broadcast. Entries submitted for a class are also permitted.
  • Entries can only be submitted in one category.

CATEGORIES College and University

TV

  • Boyd Huppert Excellence in Television Writing Award
    Excellence in writing in a single hard news, feature, sports story, or documentary. The best entries are those with clear, concise writing that conveys the feelings, emotions, and significance of the story. $250 cash prize to winner, $100 to second place, $50 to third.
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Photojournalism
    Video storytelling in a single hard news, feature, sports story, or documentary.
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Episodic Entertainment Program
    Regularly scheduled program including game shows, comedies, dramas, etc. Excludes news, sports and talk.
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast.
  • Best Special
    One-time or annual, live or preproduced programming that might include specials, performances, or other local events.
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast.
  • Best General News Story
    This includes hard news or investigative stories. Humorous stories do not belong in this category (see Best Feature). 
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Informational/Educational/Corporate Production
    Productions that teach, train, and/or promote a service or organization. Examples of entries that fit, but not limited to, include training videos, recruiting videos, organizational profiles, product promotion/sales pieces.
    Requirements: Submit 10 minutes maximum.
  • Best News Series/Documentary
    Full-length program or multi-part single-issue series that explores a single topic in-depth.
    Requirements: Submit up to 10 minutes maximum of an episode.
  • Best Public Affairs/Talk Show
    Hosted full-length interview or panel discussion programs that focus on current issues or a singular topic and provide opportunities for under-represented voices to be heard.
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast.
  • Best Newscast
    Full-length program that includes on-camera talent, packages and/or video segments that was presented live or recorded live for later presentation.
    Requirements: Submit 10 unedited minutes maximum.
  • Best Feature Story
    Soft news that would play in a newscast or magazine program.
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Promo
    Promotional announcements.
    Requirements: Submit up to one minute.
  • Best PSA
    Public service announcement that provides information, education and awareness.
    Requirements: Submit up to one minute.
  • Best Sports Story
    This includes short sports packages with sound bites that would play in a sportscast or sports program.  Note: Not play-by-play or sports show.
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Sports Play-by-Play
    A segment of play-by-play of a sporting event that was originally presented live or recorded live for presentation later.
    Requirements: Submit 10 minutes unedited maximum.
  • Best Sports Show
    Regularly scheduled stand-alone sports program with packages and/or other segments. Not play-by-play.
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast.

Radio

  • Boyd Huppert Excellence in Radio Writing Award
    Excellence in writing in a single hard news, feature, sports story, or documentary. The best entries are those with clear, concise writing that conveys the feelings, emotions, and significance of the story. $250 cash prize to winner, $100 to second place, $50 to third.
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Episodic Entertainment Program
    Regularly scheduled program including game shows, comedies, dramas, etc. Excludes news, sports and talk.
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of broadcast.
  • Best Special Programming
    One-time or annual, live or preproduced programming that might include specials, performances, or other local events.
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast.
  • Best General News Story
    This includes hard news or investigative stories. Humorous stories do not belong in this category (see Best Feature). 
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best News Series/Documentary
    Full-length program or multi-part single-issue series that explores a single topic in-depth.
    Requirements: Submit up to 10 minutes maximum of single episode.
  • Best Public Affairs/Talk Show
    Hosted full-length interview or panel discussion programs that focus on current issues or a singular topic and provide opportunities for under-represented voices to be heard.
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast
  • Best Newscast
    Full-length program that includes talent, packages and/or video segments that was presented live or recorded live for later presentation.
    Requirements: Submit 10 unedited minutes maximum.
  • Best Feature Story
    Soft news that would play in a newscast or magazine program. 
  • Best Long Form Audio Storytelling
    Feature packages that focus on creative use of sound in storytelling.
    Requirements: Submit up to 10 minutes.
  • Best Promo
    Promotional announcements.
    Requirements: Submit up to one minute.
  • Best PSA
    Public service announcement that provides information, education, and awareness.
    Requirements: Include script. Submit up to 1 minute.
  • Best Sports Story
    This includes short sports packages. Note: Not play-by-play or sports show.
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Sports Play-by-Play
    A segment of play-by-play of a sporting event that was originally presented live or recorded live for presentation later.
    Requirements: Submit 10 minutes unedited maximum.
  • Best Sports Show
    Pre-game or post-game programs (originally presented live or recorded) or stand-alone sports program with packages or segments. Not play-by-play.
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast.
  • Best Station Imaging
    Package of sweepers, ID’s including legals that brand or image your station.
    Requirements: Submit 1 minute maximum.
  • Best Podcast
    Episodic audio recordings (example: community cause interview) distributed via a syndicated feed on the Internet.
    Requirements: Submit 10 minutes maximum
  • Best Air Check
    Requirements: Music telescoped, total time 1-3 minutes.

Combined (Radio and TV)

  • Best Social Media
    All of the content must be produced/supplied by university students. Student media, a university department, etc. can qualify for this award if they effectively engage with their audience through the use of high-quality and creative posts and media, incorporating station imaging, media, and brand. Submissions will be judged on quality of posts, which includes aspects such as grammar, hyperlinks, and hashtags.
    Requirements: Submit URL(s).
  • Best Website
    All of the content is produced/supplied by university students. Can be for student media, a university department, etc.
    Requirements: Submit URL(s).

CATEGORIES High School

TV

  • Best Event Coverage
    Coverage of school or community events, including examples like graduation, pep rallies, or holiday gatherings.
    Requirements: Submit up to 10 minutes maximum.
  • Best Newscast
    Full-length program that includes on-camera talent, packages and/or video segments that was presented live or recorded live for later presentation.
    Requirements: Submit 10 unedited minutes maximum.
  • Best Promo/PSA
    Promotional announcement or public service announcement that provides information, education, and awareness
    .Requirements: Submit up to 1 minute.
  • Best Feature Story
    Soft news that would play in a newscast or magazine program. 
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Sports Play-by-Play
    A segment of play-by-play of a sporting event that was originally presented live or recorded live for presentation later.
    Requirements: Submit 10 minutes unedited maximum.
  • Best Sports Programming
    All sports coverage, sports talk, and sports features (not play-by-play)
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast.

Radio

  • Best Event Coverage
    Coverage of school or community events, including examples like graduation, pep rallies, or holiday gatherings.
    Requirements: Submit up to 10 minutes maximum.
  • Best Newscast
    Full-length program that includes talent, packages and/or video segments that was presented live or recorded live for later presentation.
    Requirements: Submit 10 unedited minutes maximum.
  • Best Promo/PSA
    Promotional announcement or public service announcement that provides information, education, and awareness.
    Requirements: Submit up to 1 minute.
  • Best Feature Story
    Soft news that would play in a newscast or magazine program. 
    Requirements: Submit 5 minutes maximum.
  • Best Sports Play-by-Play
    A segment of play-by-play of a sporting event that was originally presented live or recorded live for presentation later.
    Requirements: Submit 10 minutes unedited maximum.
  • Best Sports Programming
    All sports coverage, sports talk, and sports features (not play-by-play)
    Requirements: Submit 5 to 10 minutes unedited segment of the broadcast.

HOW TO ENTER

Entries must be completed and submitted online. Online entries will be accepted starting Dec. 1, 2025. Please follow the steps below to complete the entry process. Deadline for entering: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, by 4 p.m. CDT

Instructions

IMPORTANT: The contest platform is optimized for Google Chrome for PC and Macintosh. Please have a recent version downloaded and installed for the best contest experience.

Login

  1. Go to betterbnc.com;
  2. Click contestant login (upper left);
  3. Select the appropriate Contest: 2023 WBA Student Awards
  4. Select the appropriate contestant type:
  5. If you are the single point of contact for your organization, select Contestant Manager.

*Schools should select a single Contestant Manager, who will have access to make entries and create other Authorized Entrants who can make entries on behalf of the school. The Contestant Manager should then login early in the contest entry period, submit two entries, then finalize Contestant Manager account setup, including creation of any desired Authorized Entrants. (Two entries provide an added layer of validation from hackers and spam.) Authorized Entrants will receive emails requesting their account validation, after which they can create their own entries on behalf of the school.

Register an Account

You must first register an account through the online entry system in order to submit your entries. Once you are registered you will be sent a confirmation email with your registration information. Please keep this for your records.

By registering you will be able to track your progress, see what you’ve submitted and view a running total of your entry fees. You will also be able to save entries in progress and complete them at a later date.

Create Your Entries

When you’ve registered an account, you will be taken to the Account Summary page. Click “Add New Entry” button to start an entry. Complete the entry form in full. Be accurate and complete with your credits as this information will be publicized, exactly as entered, for winning entries.

Features:

  • You can save an incomplete entry at any time and return to complete it a later time.
  • You may delete an “In Progress” entry at any time.
  • You can view the details of a “Submitted Entry” or “In Progress” entry by selecting the “Edit button” beside it from the list on your summary page.
  • Editing a “Submitted Entry” will move it back into your “In Progress” entries. You must select the “Submit” button at the bottom after you edit your entry in order to move it back into the “Submitted Entries” portion of your Account Summary Page.
  • Your entries fees will be automatically calculated and a running total displayed.

Upload Digital Files

Each entry requires a digital file to be uploaded prior to submission. For television use Vimeo (www.vimeo.com) or YouTube (www.youtube.com) and for radio use Soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com). Copy and paste links to the content into URL field in your contest entry.

Please carefully review the category descriptions and submission requirements for full details. It is recommended to save all digital files to your desktop, in the correct file formats, to facilitate this process.

Submit Entry

Once an entry is complete, click the submit button at the bottom of entry form. You will be taken to a confirmation page that lists all of your entry’s details. If you need to revise your entry information, select “Back to Entry Form” button. If all of your information is correct select the “Confirm Entry” button. Once you click “Confirm Entry” the entry is submitted.

Pay Entry Fees

It is recommended that you complete all entries before paying your balance. To pay, click “Pay Online” beside your total balance owing on the Account Summary page. Full payment must be received by submission deadline. Entries submitted without the appropriate submission fee will not be eligible for judging. If you wish to pay by check, contact the WBA office to be invoiced.

AWARDS PRESENTATION

Awards will be presented at the WBA Student Forum on Feb. 28, 2026 at Lambeau Field.


The Student Awards for Excellence and Leadership Award will be presented to the individual(s) most responsible for the piece entered. A plaque for the first-place winner for each category will be given to the winning school.  A representative or the student(s) may accept the award.  In addition, Awards for Excellence certificates will be presented to each student in first, second or third place.

Student Awards for Excellence Winners