2025-2026 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 Wyatt Morrow.
2024-2025 Awards
2024-2025 Winning Entries
Writing Division:
News Story: Kelsey Dowdle, Oklahoma State University “Cotton Harvest Impacted by Rainfall”
Short Feature Story: Sara Howard, Oklahoma State University “Developing Leadership”
Long Feature Story: Madison Paden, Oklahoma State University “Fescue Toxicosis and the Effects on Beef Cattle (Technical)”
Short Personality Feature Story: Maci Guay, Texas A&M University “Farm Grit and CEO Wit”
Long Personality Feature Story: Allie Herring, Texas Tech University “From Texas to Tuscany: Wine, Olive Oil, and Agritourismo” & Trinity White, Oklahoma State University “From Tractor to TV”
Research Related Writing: Maci Guay, Texas A&M University “Could Xylitol Boost Brainpower?”
Editorial Writing: Jacob Zajkowski, Cornell University “Glass Grown Food: The Next Steps for the Glass City’s Agriculture”
Single Blog Entry: Jennie Abbot, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign “Enhancing Field Disease Monitoring with AGMRI”
Writing Award of Excellence: Maci Guay, Texas A&M University “Farm Grit and CEO Wit”
Publication Division:
Brochure/Pamphlet: Kyra Holt, Iowa State University “Summer Stampede at the National Ranching Heritage Center”
Newsletter/E-Newsletter: Molly Freese, Iowa State University “ISU ACT April Newsletter”
Magazine: Texas Tech University “2024 The Agriculturist”
Publications Award of Excellence: Molly Freese, Iowa State University “ISU ACT April Newsletter”
Design and Layout Division:
Page Layout: Makayla Craig, Oklahoma State University “What’s Hopping in Oklahoma?”
Poster or Flyer: Kaitlyn Broughton, Oklahoma State University “A Shampoo Like No Other”
Logo Design: Maddie Dollarhide, Oklahoma State University “Cooper Family Orchards”
Infographic Design: Parker Pitterick, Iowa State University “What’s in your Cup?”
Advertisement Design: Kiersten Bourquin, Oklahoma State University “Alpha Gamma Rho April 2025”
Web Design: Addison Raber, Oklahoma State University “Addison Raber Portfolio Website”
Blog Design: Whitnie Yoder, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College “Social Media Etiquette – 10 Do’s and Dont’s”
Design and Layout Award of Excellence: Makayla Craig, Oklahoma State University “What’s Hopping in Oklahoma?”
Photography Division:
Scenic Photo: Landry Roberts, Texas Tech University “Colorado Tranquility”
People Photo: Megan Clark, Iowa State University “Ranching in Her Blood”
Animal Photo: Taylor Epperson, Oklahoma State University “A Painted Lady on Lavender”
Plant Photo: Hannah Wilcocks, Oklahoma State University “Buzzing Beauty”
Food Photo: Brianna Stockwell, Oklahoma State University “Fungi Never Looked so Good!”
Other Photo: Greyson Murphy, Tarleton State University “West Texas Nights”
Black and White Photo: Greyson Murphy, Tarleton State University “Working Hands”
Photo Series: Anna Hendricks, Oklahoma State University “Dragging Days”
Photography Award of Excellence: Greyson Murphy, Tarleton State University “West Texas Nights”
Electronic Media Division:
Audio Package: Addison Stoddard, Utah State University “Bringing the Family Farm to Every Home”
Audio Advertisement: Gretchen Wylie, Texas A&M University “The Buzz on Pollinators Podcast Ad”
Short Video Package: Karli Schwerdtfeger & Brilee Payne, Oklahoma State University “Dr. Lauren Cline video for OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture”
Long Video Package: Jacob Zajkowski, Cornell University “Composting at Cornell and Beyond”
Electronic Media Award of Excellence: Gretchen Wylie, Texas A&M University “The Buzz on Pollinators Podcast Ad”
Public Relations Division:
PR Campaign: Tru Joi Curtis, Taylor Webb Duhaime, Gwenyth Schowe, Ashley Euritt, University of Arkansas “State Fair Brand Strategic Marketing Proposal by Ozark Bloom and Co.”
Press/News Release: Gretchen Wylie, Texas A&M University “McDonald’s/Cinnabon Press Release”
Single Social Media Post Campaign: Taylor McGill, Oklahoma State University “Chilly Cowboy: Get Dunk’d Campaign”
Single Item: Allie Herring, Texas Tech University “Texas Tech ACT Promotional Koozie”
Public Relations Award of Excellence: Taylor McGill, Oklahoma State University “Chilly Cowboy: Get Dunk’d Campaign”
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.