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 2026 Student Keystone Media Award winners!
Please review the list of winners as soon as possible. This information is pulled directly from the contest system as entered. Email the PNA Foundation with any changes or corrections to your winning entries and/or credits. All changes must be received by us no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, to ensure corrections can be made prior to the event.
Specialty Category winners:
- The Lenfest Institute College Diversity Champion Award
- Hannah Pajtis, St. Joseph’s University, The Hawk
- High School Diversity Champion Award, sponsored by AT&T
- Tanner Cohagan, State College Area High School, Lions’ Digest
- Tim Williams Memorial Journalism Scholarship – check back soon for announcement
Category winners:
- 2026 Student Keystone Media Award Winners – Division I (colleges & universities with enrollment over 10,000)
- 2026 Student Keystone Media Award Winners – Division II (colleges and universities with enrollment under 10,000)
- 2026 Student Keystone Media Award Winners – Division III (two-year colleges)
- 2026 Student Keystone Media Award Winners – Division IV (high schools)
Sweepstakes winners:
- Division I – Penn State University – ComMedia
- Division II – Delaware Valley University – Full360
- Division III – Bucks County Community College – The Centurion
- Division IV – Strath Haven High School – The Panther Press
Winners will be honored at the Student Keystone Media Awards Event on Tuesday, April 14, at the Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center located at 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg.
The PNA Foundation covers the cost of the event for all Student Keystone Winners. A registration fee for any guests (advisers, school officials, family, friends, etc.) will be charged. 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. Register now. Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 1.
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 after the event.
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).
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.
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 Newsroom Internships page (including the paid Summer Newsroom Internship Program – applications due by Jan. 16) to see opportunities available for student journalists.
Visit our Student Resources & Initiatives page to see all the other great opportunities we offer!
Questions? Email the PNA Foundation or phone 717-703-3003.