CATEGORY CRITERIA

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2D VISUAL ART (Drawing & Painting)

 

Project Criteria

• The 2D Art category includes original art in the area of 2-dimensional visual art (e.g. acrylics, pen/ink, oil, watercolor, etc.) that is not computer generated or computer enhanced.

• The entry must be suitably matted or mounted and ready for hanging. (Clean, well-cut mats or mounted on sturdy boards).

• The entry must be an original piece conceived and completed by the student with a 2 or 3 sentence statement describing how the idea for the work was conceived. Students should not submit works that directly copy subject matter, style, or content of historical works, even if it is a partial copying.

 

Judging Criteria

• Originality, creativity, and technical ability.

• Personal expression of idea, feeling or value.

• Effective use of principles of design: rhythm, balance, line, pattern, volume, and color.

 

 

3D FINE ART/APPLIED DESIGN

 

Project Criteria

• 3D Applied Art/Design category includes functional projects or scaled models (architectural design and 3D modeling/printing) that exhibit craftsmanship or computer design utilizing 3-dimensional design principles.

• Materials such as paper, wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, leather, fabric, wire etc. may be used singly or in combination.

• Size limitations: 75 pounds maximum. The project should not exceed 6’ in any dimension, must fit through a 3’ x 7’ office door and must be transportable without needing special equipment or knowledge. Large and/or fragile projects will need to be transported to the judging site by the student or parent.

• Student name must be printed on the back or underside of the project.

           

Judging Criteria

• Craftsmanship & Skill.

• Originality.

• Basic Design Principles: good use of line, form, balance, surface texture, and proportion.

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ACTING

 

Project Criteria

• Students are to prepare a monologue between 2 and 4 minutes in length.

• The monologue may be classical, contemporary, or an original piece.

• Students are encouraged to present themselves professionally in demeanor and dress for their audition.

           

Judging Criteria

• Stage presence.

• Acting skill.

• Craft: Believability.

• Speech quality.

 

 

CREATIVE WRITING

 

Project Criteria

• Write a short story, excerpt, or original creative writing piece. The piece should be typed, double spaced and be between 3 and 10 pages long.

• Please be aware of your audience. Topic, tone and subject should be appropriate for a high school classroom.

 

Judging Criteria

• Quality of writing: Does the writer demonstrate a command of the language?

• Development: Does the writer use purposeful details that deepen understanding?

• Craft: Does the writer skillfully use story structure and/or literary devices?

• Tone: Does the writer set a consistent tone or impact the reader emotionally?

 

 

DIGITAL DESIGN

 

Project Criteria

• A student may submit 1 piece of original digital art created with the use of a computer (color or black & white).

• The entry must be an original piece conceived and completed by the student with a 2 or 3 sentence statement describing how the idea for the work was conceived. Students should not submit works that directly copy subject matter, style, or content of historical works, even if it is a partial copying.

 

Judging Criteria

• Originality, creativity and technical ability.

• Personal expression of idea, feeling or value.

• Effective use of principles of design: rhythm, balance, line, pattern, volume, and color

 

 

EDITORIAL WRITING

 

Project Criteria

• Write a strongly worded opinion piece that seeks to persuade or enlighten the reader with a minimum of 400 and a maximum of 600 words.

• Please include existing documentation, articles, or facts that are the basis for your article.

• Editorials should include a headline.

 

Judging Criteria

• Quality of argument: Is the editorial written in direct and persuasive language?

• Quality of writing: Does it open with power and close with purpose? Does the body provide facts, information, and statistics to support the writer’s premise?

• Balance: Does the editorial acknowledge the opposing viewpoint and use sound reasoning to refute the opposing view?

• Completeness: Does the editorial make the reader think? Is it influential and does it give relevance to the opinion?

 

 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

 

Project Criteria

• The purpose of this project is to see how well the entrepreneur understands and operates his/her business, not just how (or whether) it is profitable. Completeness, organization, and clarity will be considered.

• Prepare a presentation (PowerPoint, Google docs, or other) describing your venture. Include the following in the order you think is best:

  • Product or service description.

  • Describe your background, interests, and experience relative to your business idea. How you got into your business.

  • Who is doing what to make the business operate?

  • How many hours per month or week do you spend on this business?

  • Who are your targeted customers?

  • Tell how you get your customers. Include samples or images of ads, coupons, flyers, business cards, or other things you use to attract customers.

  • Who are your competitors (e.g. big companies, other students, small businesses)?

• Describe your financial experience.

  • What is your income and expenses - for a typical month? for a one-year period?

  • What is your profit (or loss) over this period?

  • How did you decide what to charge?

  • How did you get any money funding to start the business or buy equipment, supplies, or inventory (if any) e.g., loans, savings, gift, trade, other?

• Provide pictures, a sample, or a prototype of your product or service.

• Include recommendations from customers, if possible.

 

Judging Criteria

• Entrepreneurial projects will be judged on depth; completeness; and over-all presentation of project.

 

 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SOLO

 

Project Criteria

• Piece must be a solo performance, limited to 4 minutes in length. No accompanist allowed.

• Competition is open to a performance with any instrument.

• Any form of music is acceptable; Classical, Contemporary or anything in between.

• Students are encouraged to present themselves professionally in demeanor and dress.

 

Judging Criteria

• Pitch accuracy, tone, and quality.

• Technical Facility (ability).

• Interpretation: expression, style, and tempo.

• Dynamics and phrasing.

• Stage presence, posture, and presentation.

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INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC GROUP

 

Project Criteria

• Instrumental Performance can be a 2-5 minute recorded performance by a duet, concerto, chamber group or jazz combo. No limit to the group size, but must be 2 or more people.

• Competition is open to a performance with any instrument.

• Any form of music is acceptable; Classical, Contemporary or anything in between.

• Students are encouraged to present themselves professionally in demeanor and dress.

 

Judging Criteria

• Pitch accuracy, tone, and quality.

• Technical Facility (ability).

• Interpretation: expression, style, and tempo.

• Dynamics and phrasing.

• Stage presence, posture, and presentation.

 

 

JOURNALISM

 

Project Criteria

• Write a hard news story of your choice in journalistic style with a minimum of 400 and a maximum of 800 words.

• Include a headline to your article.

• Please include existing documentation, articles or facts that your article is based on.

 

Judging Criteria

• Quality of writing: Is it factual and not opinion? Does the writer use clear, concise language? Is the story written with active verbs and descriptive phrases?

• Quality of reporting: Is the story complete? Did the writer use credible sources representing different sides of the issue? Are the readers’ questions answered?

• Balance: Are all sides of the issue reported fairly? Is the information presented in an objective manner?

• Completeness: Is the entire story presented or will readers have to go elsewhere for important information?

• Did the writer thoroughly investigate the issue and report the information?

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY (Digital)

 

Project Criteria

• Project must be original and 100% student work, i.e. photography and digital enhancement.

• Digital effects, techniques and/or enhancements are permitted.

• Electronic file criteria:         

  • Size: the longest edge a minimum of 2240 pixels

  • Resolution: 300 dpi

  • Saved as a .jpg file

 

Judging Criteria

• Technical Quality:   

  • Proper exposure and contrast working together.

  • Use of full tonal scale with proper exposure and contrast.

  • Awareness given to the entire frame.

  • Appropriately focused, clean, and properly spotted.

• Artistic Merit:

  • Is the photograph clear in terms of subject?

  • Is the photograph effectively composed?

  • Does the photograph have visual impact?

  • Does the photograph elicit thoughtful or emotional reflection?

  • Has the idea/concept/theme been presented clearly?

 

 

SCIENCE/ENGINEERING/ENVIRONMENTALISM

 

Project Criteria

• Projects may be completed as an individual or a team (maximum of 4 students).

• Create a presentation suitable for use in a high school science or engineering course or develop a model for an invention for the future.

• The presentation should include not only a set of specific directions, but also a clearly written discussion of the phenomena displayed and the scientific or engineering principles involved.

 

Judging Criteria

• Creative, original product.

• Use of scientific and/or engineering principles.

• Written description.

• Overall clean appearance of the project.

 

 

VIDEO PRODUCTION

 

Project Criteria

• Project must be original work.

• Posted online (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) with a link to a URL.

• Production must be appropriate for educational setting. The entry can be disqualified if this is not followed.

• Project Submission Form must include a brief summary indicating theme, category selected, and identification of target audience. Projects may be completed by individuals or groups of up to 4 students.

 

**Actual video must include written credits including name(s) of students submitting the work. Any prize to be shared among students submitting.

 

• Select one of the five following categories for participation:

  1. PSA (Public Service Announcement): Maximum of 60 seconds; all graphics, i.e. names, dates, titles, and credits must be included; and identify target audience.

  2. Commercial: Maximum of 60 seconds; feature the sale of any product, e.g. car, invention, etc.; and identify target             audience.

  3. Documentary / Presentation / Instructional: Maximum 10 minutes; express any theme or program, e.g. seat belt safety and identify target audience.

  4. Entertainment: Maximum 10 minutes; express any area of entertainment, e.g. drama, comedy, mystery, adventure, animation; identify target audience.

 

Judging Criteria

• Videos will be judged on theme and category selection identified, time requirements met, target reached, content of video, editing principles, smoothness of transitions, overall video quality, write-up, and originality.

 

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VOCAL MUSIC SOLO

 

Project Criteria

• Performance can be A Capella, with a backing track or live accompaniment.

• The performance must be a solo performance, limited to 3 minutes in length.

• Students are encouraged to present themselves professionally in demeanor and dress.

 

Judging Criteria

• Stage presence.

• Interpretation.

• Voice quality.

• Preparation.

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VOCAL MUSIC GROUP

 

Project Criteria

• Performance can be A Capella, with a karaoke or instrumental track, or live accompaniment. Any tracks being used should have no vocals.

• The performance must be a group performance, limited to 3 minutes in length.

• There is no limit on how many students can be in the group, but there must be at least 2-part harmony for groups of 2 and 3-part harmony (SAB, SSA, TTB, etc) for groups larger than 2.

• Students are encouraged to present themselves professionally in demeanor and dress.

 

Judging Criteria

• Stage presence (Posture, facial expression & body language)

• Musicality (phrasing, dynamics, timing/rhythm)

• Intonation (singing in tune within section and as a group)

• Tone quality appropriate for the genre

• Preparation/Memorization

• Level of difficulty