Below are the tentative rules for the 2023 on-site competition. Pease monitor the SEJC page and recheck upon arriving at the conference, as the rooms for some contests may eventually have to be moved for logistical reasons.
Upon arrival, competitors in each event will receive a Contestant Identification Number. This number will be used to identify the entry. So, for example, Sally Jones enters News Writing. She receives the CIN News Writing-Four. She will use that CIN when she makes her submission for that event.
Research materials have been posted to SEJC website for those entering Arts and Entertainment, Feature Writing, News Writing and Photography/News features. Contestants are free to explore this material prior.
Several events are scheduled for the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. Information regarding this event (including directions and parking) options are on the SEJC website.
NOTE: Competitors are allowed to enter more than one on-site event, provided that the events are not scheduled at the same time or with overlapping times. For example, a competitor may not enter the News Writing and Feature Writing categories, as they will both take place from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Likewise, a competitor could not enter TV Anchoring and Public Relations, as TV Anchoring is from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Public Relations is 2 p.m. – 4 p.m Friday, Feb. 10.
SECJ 2023 ONSITE CONTEST RULES
Sports Writing
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9
Location: David R. Stopher Gymnasium
Instructions: Attend the men’s basketball game between Nicholls State University and the University of New Orleans
Competitors will write a 500-600 word game recap story based with at least three live sources. Competitors must use their own computer to write the story.
Competitors will be able to attend the post game interview with Nicholls State head coach Austin Claunch and two players.
Feel free to research the team(s) beforehand.
Credentials will be provided in each school’s registration materials.
Submission Guidelines:
Students must email the final copy of their story no later than midnight to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: Sports Writing – Sports Writing #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
Sports Photography
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9
Location: David R. Stopher Gymnasium
Instructions:
Attend the men’s basketball game between Nicholls State University and the University of New Orleans.
All participants must provide their own equipment.
Competitors will submit their best five photos, which should be cropped, toned and captioned. Photos should be saved as jpg, no larger than 1MB.
Credentials will be provided in each school’s registration materials.
Submission Guidelines:
Students must email the final copy of their entry no later than midnight to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: Photography/Sports – Photography/Sports #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
Feature Writing
Time: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
See Jean Lafitte Center Document
Transportation: There will be limited shuttle transportation to the site beginning at 11 a.m. Pickup on side of Talbot Hall.
Story Guidelines:
Competitors will write an 800-900 word feature story using their own computer.
Click here for further Contest Information
Submission Guidelines:
Students must email the final copy of their story no later than 2 p.m. to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: Feature Writing – Feature Writing #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
News Writing
Time: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
See Jean Lafitte Center Document
Transportation: There will be limited shuttle transportation to the site beginning at 11 a.m. Pickup on side of Talbot Hall.
Story Guidelines:
Details on story topic have not been set.
TBA will be available for interviews.
Competitors will write a 500-600 word news story based on the program with at least three live sources. Use your own computer to write the story.
Click here for further Contest Information.
Submission Guidelines:
Students must email the final copy of their story no later than 2 p.m. to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: News Writing – News Writing #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
Photography/News features
Time: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
See Jean Lafitte Center Document
Transportation: There will be limited shuttle transportation to the site beginning at 11 a.m. Pickup on side of Talbot Hall.
Guidelines:
The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center will present several options for photography that morning. There will be two SEJC press events taking place at the facility. The facility has an outdoor component that might present opportunities. The site is just a few blocks from downtown Thibodaux with historic buildings and is on the banks of Bayou Lafourche (once a main distributary of the Mississippi River).
Earlier that morning there will be activities for somewhere between 150 and 200 area elementary-school children. Some may still be onsite at 11:30. Note that any pictures of the school children may be submitted in this category, but MAY NOT be published or used in any other venue.
Instructions:
All participants must provide their own equipment.
Competitors will submit their best five photos, which should be cropped, toned and captioned. Photos should be saved as jpg, no larger than 1MB.
Submission Guidelines:
Students must email the final photos no later than 2 p.m. to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: Photography/News Features – Photography/News Features #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
Radio News Reporting
Time: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
See Jean Lafitte Center Document
Transportation: There will be limited shuttle transportation to the site beginning at 11 a.m. Pickup on side of Talbot Hall.
Story Guidelines:
Details on story topic have not been set.
TBA will be available for interviews.
Instructions:
Create a radio package between 90-120 seconds. If necessary, editing may be done in our digital media lab, Room 107 Talbot Hall, but competitors must have their own Adobe Creative Suite credentials.
Submission Guidelines:
Mp3 files are to be sent by 2 p.m. to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: Radio News Reporting – Radio News Reporting #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
TV News Reporting
Time: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
See Jean Lafitte Center Document
Transportation: There will be limited shuttle transportation to the site beginning at 11 a.m. Pickup on side of Talbot Hall.
Story Guidelines:
Details on story topic have not been set.
TBA will be available for interviews.
Instructions:
Create a TV package between 90-120 seconds.
Competitors must provide their own cameras, mics and tripods. If necessary, editing may be done in our digital media lab, but competitors must have their own Adobe Creative Suite credentials in order to log in and use Adobe Premier Pro.
Students must upload their package to their own YouTube channel in order to submit.
Submission Guidelines:
YouTube links are to be sent by 2 p.m. to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: TV News Reporting – TV News Reporting #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
Arts and Entertainment
Time: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: Mary and Al Danos Theater Talbot Hall
Story Guidelines:
Details on story topic have not been set.
Submit a 500-600 word story about the concert with at least three live sources. Competitors must use their own computer to write the story.
Click here for further contest information.
Submission Guidelines:
Students must email the final copy of their story no later than 2 p.m. to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: Arts and Entertainment – Arts and Entertainment #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
Op-Ed Writing
Time: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: 103 Talbot Hall
Instructions:
Be prepared to write an opinion piece based on a topic given to you by the judge. The topic will be posted to the SEJC webpage by 10 a.m. Feb. 10.
Competitors will write a 500-600 word opinion with at least three sources. Competitors must use their own computer to write the story.
Submission Guidelines:
Students must email the final copy of their story no later than 2 p.m. to the SEJC website.
The email subject line should include the contest title and contestant number.
(Example: Op-Ed Writing – Op-Ed Writing #12)
The submission must not include the contestant’s name or university.
Current Events Quiz
Time: 2 p.m. -3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: 105 Talbot Hall
Instructions: Take a quiz on current events
TV Anchoring
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: 107(A) Talbot Hall
Instructions: A script will be posted to the SEJC website by 10 a.m. Feb. 10. Competitors will then record a spot in the television studio using a teleprompter. No equipment is required from the competitor.
Public Relations
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Location: Room 103 Talbot Hall
Instructions: Participate in a team exercise based on a topic given upon arrival.
Click here for further contest information.
Design/page layout
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10
Location:106 Talbot Hall
Instructions: Create a layout design using InDesign or another software to create the front page of a newspaper for the SEJC News.
A packet of Materials will be posted to the SEJC website by 1 p.m. Feb. 10.
Use of supplied stories, photographs, and illustrations are required for this assignment. No other stories, photographs, and illustrations may be used.
Create one (1) front page of a newspaper (12.5” X 22” and .5 margins) that reflects a daily hometown medium size or larger broadsheet newspaper.
Design an original Masthead (Nameplate) of the SEJC News.
Use a 5 columns format with at least 5 stories, and at least 3 photos or illustration on the page.
One story may jump to an inside page (not shown).
Write original headlines and cutlines.
Teasers at the top of the page are optional.
An index must be included in the layout.
The final product must be exported as a PDF.
Submission:
Students must submit the final PDF of their project no later than 4:15 p.m. to the SEJC website.
Copy Editing
Proctor:
Time: 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10
Location: 105 Talbot Hall
Instructions: Take a quiz on AP style, you will need #2 pencil
History
Time: 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10
Location: 105 Talbot Hall
Instructions: Take a quiz on media law and history, you will need #2 pencil
Law
Time: 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10
Location: 105 Talbot Hall
Instructions: Take a quiz on media law and history, you will need #2 pencil
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The computers in rooms 103 and106 Talbot Hall are available for students to use the Adobe Creative Suite. In order to use the suite, students must login to their own Adobe account.
Participants must have their own transportation to events, except for the Radio News and News Writing contests.
All participants must have their own equipment/materials needed to compete. This includes but is not limited to computers, cameras, chargers/batteries, microphones, etc.