2025-26 Critique & Contest – All Entries Due May 15
Critique & Contest is the national communications and journalism competition for ACT members. This contest allows students the opportunity to have their work analyzed by professionals and judged against members across the nation. Categories include writing, publication, electronic media, photography, design & layout and public relations.
The first individual entry for each member is FREE. Each additional individual entry is $5 USD per entry. All group entries are $5 USD per entry. The National ACT organization will invoice chapters for the number of paid entries that were judged.
View the 2024-2025 Critique & Contest rules and guidelines to learn more about our categories from this past year and how to submit. The guidelines for the 2025-2026 contest will be available at a later date and there may be some updates made to categories. Please follow us on social media for updates.
Writing Entry Format Example:
Submit Entries to Submittable
If you have any questions, email Vice President Jenna Fiscus.
2024-25 Awards
2023-2024 Winning Entries (Will be replaced with 2025 winners soon)
Writing Division:
News Story: Michelle Stangler, University of Wisconsin-River Falls “Push to Eliminate AM Radio in New Vehicles Raises Static with Ag Community, Farm Radio”
Short Feature Story: Elizabeth Perdue, Oklahoma State University “Oklahoma’s Proven Best”
Long Feature Story: Lauren Fritzler, West Texas A&M University “Breaking the Silence of Cowboy Code”
Short Personality Feature Story: Keona Mason, Oklahoma State University “Headway for Headspace”
Long Personality Feature Story: Layne Burnett, Texas Tech University “A Tale of Two Hat Makers Part 1: Flint Custom Hats”
Research Related Writing: Laramie Coffey, Oklahoma State University “Sweet Success”
Editorial Writing: Michelle Stangler, University of Wisconsin-River Falls “It’s About the People”
Single Blog Entry: Ryan Hess, Texas Tech University “One Sticky Situation”
Writing Award of Excellence: Layne Burnett, Texas Tech University “A Tale of TwoHat Makers Part 1: Flint Custom Hats”
Publication Division:
Brochure/Pamphlet: Jackie Miller, Iowa State University “Maximize Your Corn Crop With Verdesian”
Newsletter/E-Newsletter: Taylor Talbert, University of Illinois “Sigma Alpha News”
Magazine: Oklahoma State University “Cowboy Journal V26N2”
Publications Award of Excellence: Oklahoma State University “Cowboy Journal V26N2”
Design and Layout Division:
Page Layout: Matt Rosman, Oklahoma State University “Growing the Future”
Poster or Flyer: Taylor Talbert, University of Illinois “Taking the Next Step”
Logo Design: Lauren Gatz, Kansas State University “Camerlinck Cattle Company Logo”
Infographic Design: Baleigh Peterson, University of Minnesota “Grain Bin Safety – Know the Risks”
Advertisement Design: Avery Cantrell, Oklahoma State University “Cantrell Ag”
Web Design: Taylor Talbert, University of Illinois “Taylor Renae Talbert Website”
Design and Layout Award of Excellence: Matt Rosman, Oklahoma State University “Growing the Future”
Photography Division:
Scenic Photo: Payton Irick, Oklahoma State University “Mount Cook New Zealand in the Winter”
People Photo: Emma Taber, Texas Tech University “Busy Body”
Animal Photo: Sara Frost, Oklahoma State University “Getting Horses Gathered”
Plant Photo: Karstyn Cantrell, Oklahoma State University “Olive Branch in South Africa”
Food Photo: Payton Irick, Oklahoma State University “Delectable Wine”
Other Photo: Jami Musshfen, Oklahoma State University “American Vintage”
Black and White Photo: Emma Taber, Texas Tech University “Busy Body”
Photo Series: Nicole Stevens, Oklahoma State University “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?”
Photography Award of Excellence: Karstyn Cantrell, Oklahoma State University “Olive Branch in South Africa”
Electronic Media Division:
Radio Package: Michelle Stangler, University of Wisconsin-River Falls “Positivity in Ag Network: Inside Look with Ireland Farmer”
Radio Advertisement: Laura Wuebker, Oklahoma State University “Soybeans and Swine”
Short Video Package: Mickinzi Ferguson & Elizabeth Rossen, Oklahoma State University “Dr. Lou Anella for OSU Ferguson Communications”
Long Video Package: Ella Thome, Zachariah Booth & Austin Reimer, University of Minnesota Twin Cities “90lbs of Butter”
Video Advertisement Production: Nicole Koziolek, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities “UMASH Grain Safety Video”
Electronic Media Award of Excellence: Nicole Koziolek, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities “UMASH Grain Safety Video”
Public Relations Division:
PR Campaign: Nicole Koziolek, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities “Pin-Point Executive Campaign”
Press/News Release: Ryan Hess, Texas Tech University “Red Feather News Release”
Single Social Media Post Campaign: Kensie Darst-Todd, Missouri State University “Raising Up the Next Generation of Cowboys and Cowgirls at WRCA”
Single Item: Sophie Varner, Oklahoma State University “Aspen Coffee Promotional Postcard Set”
Public Relations Award of Excellence: Nicole Koziolek, University of Minnesota “Pin-Point Executive Campaite
Jim Evans Development Fund Grant Program (Rolling Application)
The Jim Evans Development Fund Grant Program is an opportunity to provide financial support ($500) to chapters demonstrating leadership and creativity in building professional development programs. The general terms and conditions for awarding these grants are outlined in these materials. Annual grants are considered appropriate for establishing pilot projects, as well as new and innovative program directions. Funding for salaries, direct labor reimbursement or equipment for administrative or local service is not considered appropriate. Facilities and administration fees (i.e. overhead or indirect costs) are disallowed. Read more about the guidelines and application procedures: Jim Evans Development Fund Grant Program.
“Of the Year” Awards
Chapter of the Year Award – Due May 1
National ACT sponsors the Chapter of the Year Award, recognizing local ACT chapters in the areas of educational activities, social activities, leadership activities, fundraising activities, member recruitment and retention activities and community service. An overall Outstanding Chapter of the Year award will also be awarded. Create a video that highlights the areas your chapter completed during the 2024-25 academic year. The video should not be longer than five minutes. Judges will be selected to review entries and select award winners. Publish the video on YouTube and send the URL address to Member Relations Coordinator by May 15. Find more information here.
ACT Distinguished Alumnus Award – Due May 1
National ACT sponsors the Distinguished Alumnus Award to recognize an outstanding ACT alumnus member annually. ACT chapters may submit one nominee each year. The National ACT officer team selects the recipient of this award. Find more information here.
ACT Distinguished Member of the Year – Due May 1
National ACT sponsors the Distinguished Member of the Year Award for an outstanding agricultural communications student who has had a significant role in the success of local chapter activities. Each ACT chapter may submit one nominee each year. The National ACT officer team selects the recipient of this award. Find more information here.
ACT Honored Professional Award – Due May 1
National ACT sponsors the Honored Professional Award to recognize an outstanding agricultural communications industry professional annually. Agricultural communications professional organizations and ACT chapters may submit one nominee annually. The nominee need not be a former ACT member. The National ACT officer team selects the recipient of this award. Find more information here.
ACT Honored Chapter Adviser Award – Due May 1
National ACT sponsors the Honored Chapter Adviser Award, which will recognize up to two outstanding ACT chapter advisers annually. ACT alumni and ACT chapters may submit one nominee annually. The nominee must be from a current dues-paying chapter. The National ACT officer team will select the recipients of this award. The recipients of the award will receive an engraved award. Find more information here.