Categories in the annual Best of The South:

Individual Awards

1. Best News Writer. Judged on the submission of up to three news stories, of a spot or in-depth nature.
2. Best Feature Writer. Judged on the submission of up to three feature stories, which can be profiles or analyses.
3. Best Arts & Entertainment Writer. Judged on the submission of up to three stories covering arts and entertainment topics, including reviews and arts columns.
4. Best Opinion-Editorial Writer. Judged on the submission of up to three op-ed items.
5. Best Sports Writer. Judged on the submission of up to three sports articles in any combination of game stories, sports news stories, sports features and columns.
6. Best Special Event Reporter/Editor. Judged on the submission of up to three news or features stories covering a single issue or event unique to a specific campus.
7. Best Photographer. Judged on the submission of up to three published photographs of a news, sports or feature nature.
8. Best Artist/Illustrator. Three pieces of either computer- or non-computer-generated artwork of a news or editorial nature. Artwork can be stand-alones or accompaniments to articles. Editorial cartoons and comics are allowed. Format: submit pdf files of full pages on which entries appeared.
9. Best Graphic Designer/Data Journalist. Judged on the submission of up to three pieces of either information graphics or charts. Format: submit pdf files of full pages on which entries appeared.
10. Best Newspaper Designer. Judged on the submission of one to two editions, not to exceed a total of 36 pages,  of a student newspaper published between Nov. 15, 2023, through Nov. 14, 2024.Only campus-based newspapers are allowed. Format: Submit pdf files of each issue.
11. Best Magazine Designer. Judged on the submission of up to three magazine article layouts.
12. Best Magazine Writer. Judged on the submission of up to three articles of a news, feature, sports or editorial nature that have appeared in a magazine.
13. Best Television News Reporter. Judged on the submission of up to three original television packages that showcase a student’s abilities to report on news.
14. Best Radio News Reporter. Judged on the submission of up to three original stories that showcase a student’s abilities to report on news, feature or sports.
15. Best Television Feature Reporter. Judged on the submission of up to three original television packages that showcase a student’s abilities to report on lighter, rather than hard news, stories.
16. Best Radio Feature Reporter. Judged on the submission of up to three original radio reports that showcase a student’s abilities to report on lighter, rather than hard-news, stories.
17. Best Radio Journalist. Judged on the submission of up to three original radio news, feature or sports stories.
18. Best Television Journalist. Judged on the submission of up to three original TV news, feature or sports stories (not whole newscasts).
19. Best Advertising Staffer. Judged on the submission of up to three published or broadcast advertisements that have been designed or produced by a student staffer.
20. Journalist of the Year. Judged on the submission of a resume, two letters of recommendation (only one of which can be from a teacher or adviser), three work samples and a personal essay of at least 500 words addressing commitment and responsibility. Entries that do not include all of the above will be disqualified. Entrants are encouraged to enter at least one individual category, and judging coordinators may take placement in that category into consideration. 
21. Best Multimedia Journalist. Judged on the submission of at least three formats used by a student journalist to cover a single story.

School Awards

22. Best Public Service Journalism. Judged on one project intended to help solve or recognize a community or campus problem with a statement describing the project and its results and up to three supporting items that could include articles, editorials, photos or letters of recommendation.
23. Best Audio Program. Judged on a regularly produced student audio program (including newscasts, radio programs and podcasts) that aired during the times specified in contest rules. Up to three submissions, with no one piece longer than 15 minutes. Editing for time is allowed. Only campus-based audio newscasts are allowed. Format: submit MP3 files of entries. The submissions must have aired Nov. 15, 2023, through Nov. 14, 2023.
24. Best Video Newscast. Judged on one vi4eo newscast that was broadcast or streamed between Nov. 15, 2023, and Nov. 14, 2024.
25. Best Magazine. Judged on the submission of one or two student print magazines published between Nov. 15, 2023, and Nov. 14, 2024.
26. Best Newspaper. Judged on the submission of one to two editions, not to exceed a total of 36 pages,  of a student newspaper published between Nov. 15, 2023, through Nov. 14, 2024.Only campus-based newspapers are allowed. Format: Submit pdf files of each issue.
27. Best Website. Judged on the submission of a URL of a student-produced news-based website.
28. Best Radio Station. Judged on the submission of up to three student-produced programs showing depth and breadth of a terrestrial or streaming radio station. The programs must have aired between Nov. 15, 2023, and Nov. 14, 2024.
29. Best TV Station. Judged on the submission of up to three student-produced programs showing the depth and breadth of the station. Programs must have aired between Nov. 15, 2023, through Nov. 14, 2024. Only campus-based stations are allowed. Entries can include newscasts, sports and feature programming. This entry may include streamed programming. 

Special Category

30. Research Category. This competition is intended to recognize students’ efforts often associated with a class that is not focused on producing articles or items for print or broadcast. Topics can be devoted to issues in print or broadcast journalism, public relations, advertising, mass communication and social media. The format of what is to be submitted can be a traditional research paper, a poster, a series of data journalism articles, media criticism or a series of in-depth interviews. Winners are required to give a presentation of their research at the SEJC convention.