November 7, 2025
Empower. Engage. Reward.
Step into the action of student media at the Louisiana Scholastic Press Association (LSPA) Fall Invitational — an opportunity for high school students to experience live, on‑the‑spot competitions plus mentorship from LSU’s top journalism and media experts.
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Lunch included)
Location: LSU Journalism Building, 144 Field House Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Audience: High school students & advisers (up to 5 students per school). Limited seats.
Registration Opens: September 10, 2025
Registration Closes: October 27, 2025 (or when seats are filled)
Each school may register up to 5 students and 3 advisors.
Deadline for payment: Postmarked by November 1, 2025
Conference Fees
$20 administration fee per high school
$25 per person (students & advisers)
Payment Instructions
Preferred: school check, school board‑issued check, or money order made out to LSPA. After submitting the registration form, PRINT OUT a copy of the form & mail payment to:
LSPA c/o Kyrin Lewis
LSU Manship School of Mass Communication
144 Field House Drive, Room 211
Journalism Building, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Register Now
What You’ll Do
- Live rotating writing competitions: Real‑world prompts in writing revealed on the spot. An optional broadcast competition is available with separate guidelines.
- Faculty‑led feedback: LSU Manship School faculty serve as live judges with actionable insights.
- Behind‑the‑scenes tours: Explore LSU Student Media facilities.
- Awards & recognition: Catered lunch, medallions, plaques, and signed certificates.
Who Should Attend
- Writing & reporting
- Digital marketing & advertising
- Broadcast journalism
- Yearbook design & storytelling
- School newspaper production
Agenda at a Glance
8:00–8:45 a.m.: Check‑in & Breakfast (8:00–8:30) · Welcome & Rules (8:30)
9:00–9:45 a.m.: Live Prompt #1 OR Student Media Tours
10:00–10:45 a.m.: Live Prompt #2 OR Student Media Tours
11:00–11:45 a.m.: Live Prompt #3 OR Student Media Tours
12:00–1:30 p.m.: Lunch · Broadcast Video Showcase & Critique · Broadcast Video Voting
1:00–1:30 p.m.: Awards Presentation & Close
1:30–2:30 p.m.: Optional: Meet Mike the Tiger (Holliday Forum)
Competition Rules at a Glance
Written Prompts: News Writing, Feature Writing and an NIL Exercise
- Students participating must use their own laptop. No phone use during written competitions.
- Internet access is restricted to uploading your document at the end.
- Submissions must be provided as a .docx template (Times New Roman 12 pt, double‑spaced) during the competition.
- Include Name, School, and Prompt Code in the file name and inside the document.
- Upload links will be provided before the event.
Broadcast Video Competition
- This competition is NOT held live, two prompts will be released by October 1, 2025 to participants who sign up and are registered.
- Participants will be required to submit a YouTube URL via provided form by 7:00 a.m. on November 7, 2025.
- Live showcase & critique of all broadcast submissions will be held during lunch at the Invitational; you must be present to win, This is the only PEOPLE’S CHOICE award, a QR code will be provided for everyone present to vote on the winner.
- Recommended final video: 1080p, 30 fps for broad compatibility.
Awards & Recognition
- 1st place — medallion & certificate
- 2nd place — plaque & certificate
- 3rd place — certificate
Awards given for each written prompt and the broadcast competition. Judging is conducted by LSU Manship faculty and professional volunteers; Monitors will ensure fair competition.
Questions?
Email: lspamanship@lsu.edu
