Award Details
The Student Keystone Media Awards contest recognizes high school and college journalism that provides relevance, integrity, and initiative in serving readers. Any student at any public, private or parochial Pennsylvania high school, college or university who has had their material published in the school news publication may enter the contest. Students who have had their work published on a digital news site may enter the contest provided the site meets the criteria as outlined in the contest rules.
Congratulations to the 2025 Student Keystone Media Award Winners!
2025 Sweepstakes Award Winners:
Division I – University of Pennsylvania, The Daily Pennsylvanian
Division II – Delaware Valley University, The Full360
Division III – Bucks County Community College, The Centurion
Division IV – Conestoga High School, The Spoke
Specialty Category Winner:
High School Diversity Champion Award, sponsored by AT&T – Rae Murphy, Emmaus High School – The Stinger
Category Winners:
2025 Student Keystone Media Award Winners – Division I
2025 Student Keystone Media Award Winners – Division II
2025 Student Keystone Media Award Winners – Division III
2025 Student Keystone Media Award Winners – Division IV
Students will be honored at the Student Keystone Media Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at WITF’s Public Media Center in Harrisburg, beginning at 11 a.m. This event includes “ask-me-anything” sessions with professional journalists, tours of WITF’s facilities for students, and a networking lunch, followed by the awards presentation. The event is expected to end by approximately 1:30 p.m.
The PNA Foundation with generous support from AT&T will cover the cost of the event for all Student Keystone Winners. The registration cost for any guests (advisers, school officials, family, friends, etc.) is $37 per person. PRE-REGISTRATION is required for ALL attendees. Pre-registration will ensure that the student winners will have their awards available at the event, and their names called during the presentation.
Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 26.
Plaques will be provided to all first-place winners and certificates to all second place and honorable mention winners in attendance at the awards luncheon. Certificates for non-attendees will be available for pick up at the conclusion of the presentation. Any certificates not distributed at the event will be mailed by mid-April.
Judges’ tip for creating winning entries: Be sure your articles include facts and no misinformation. It is extremely important to follow AP Style as well as adhere to facts and correct details in your stories/entries. The AP Stylebook is available online and in print.
Direct order your plaques through Present A Plaque! To get the same plaques we issue to our first-place winners in the Student Keystone Media Awards contest, order the pocket plaques in black marble with frosted, non-glare acrylic (item #FBPOCM81 – for a case of 10), or item #FBPOCM81S (for individual plaques). You’ll see a significant savings if ordering by the case! Plaque orders will be sent directly to you from Present A Plaque via FedEx (ground or 2-day delivery options available).
The PNA Foundation recognizes that student journalists do amazing work throughout the school year. It’s uplifting for anyone who cares about the news media industry to know that creative, committed and passionate students are excelling at what we love. Share your best work and have it showcased on our Student Journalism Projects Page!
Visit our Journalism Scholarships page and our Internship Guide page to see opportunities available for student journalists.
Visit our Students, Advisers & Teachers page to see all the other great opportunities we offer!
Questions? Email the PNA Foundation or phone 717-703-3003.
