School Photographers of America (SPOA) celebrates student achievement in yearbooks. Through its yearly competition, yearbooks produced between July 10, 2025 to June 10, 2026 will be evaluated by a blue-ribbon panel of yearbook innovators focusing on photo-driven publications.
The top entries will be named to the “SPOA GALLERY,” and considered national award winners. The Gallery list will be revealed and streamed live during SPOA’s annual summer conference. From the Gallery, approximately one third of books will be revealed to be “GRAND CHAMPIONS.” Grand Champions will be announced in August.
Split into Elementary and Middle School and High School contests, entrants will be reviewed in a series of evaluations, each resulting in fewer and fewer remaining entrants until the “Gallery” has been established. The rounds of review will focus on student photography, design, storytelling and concept.
Entry Rules
Either sales representatives or advisers must complete the online entry form below, and submit PDF files of the cover, endsheets and pages through the entry form. To reduce file size, you may choose not to include your senior and business ads. If your book includes a colophon, please be sure it is included in your PDF. Files can be no larger than 100 mb, so you may have to split your book into multiple files.
Files should be labeled with the school name and state.
Name of School_State_File Number
Central MS_TN_1
Central MS_TN_2
Johnson ES_CA_1
Wilson HS_MA_1
Wilson HS_MA_2
Wilson HS_MA_3
Materials must be received by June 10, 2026 at 11:59:59 P.M. CST. The entry fee for Elementary, Middle School, Charter and K-8 books is $25, while High School and K-12 books is $75. Must pay online when submitting form and files.
No book containing plagiarized or libelous material will be accepted for critique. This includes senior quotes illegally quoting song lyrics, titles or unauthorized excerpts of literary work without having obtained permission from the creators.
Questions? Email stephanie.hayes@schoolphotographersofamerica.com for more information. We cannot wait to see what you create!
About critiques and competitions:
Written critiques are offered by various national and state organizations. Peers review books against various standards and cite what you are doing well and ways you can improve. Additionally, the feedback helps you learn to accept and process constructive criticism.
Competitions like this one, on the other hand, are subjective. Each organization reviews books slightly differently. While there is an element of “holding to the standard” and rewarding staffs who “do it right,” competitions pit books of similar sizes against each other in the ultimate “eyeball test.” Reviewers know the rules, how to break them and reward staffs who balance the two, ultimately rewarding innovators in the artform.
SPOA Gallery and Grand Champion Yearbook Awards
Congratulations to the yearbooks selected as SPOA Grand Champions! Chosen from among the nation’s top entries, these exceptional publications represent the very best in photography, design, storytelling, and creative concept. After advancing through multiple rounds of evaluation by a blue-ribbon panel of yearbook professionals, these books have earned one of SPOA’s highest honors and stand as outstanding examples of student-driven yearbook excellence.
High School
Yearbook Grand Champions
Elementary, Middle School & Charter
Yearbook Grand Champions
Congratulations to the yearbooks selected for the SPOA Gallery! After advancing through multiple rounds of evaluation, these publications were recognized among the nation’s outstanding yearbooks for excellence in photography, design, storytelling, and creative concept. While not selected as Grand Champions, earning a place in the SPOA Gallery is a significant national achievement and a reflection of the creativity, dedication, and talent behind each yearbook.
High School SPOA Gallery Recipients
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Bloomingdale High School, Valrico, Florida, The Minotaur, Adviser: Elise Cruz-Aragon, Student Leaders: Elsie Owen, Brendaleah Falcon, Chloe Bennett, JJ Maguire, Caitlin Serpa
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Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf, Iowa, The Beacon, Adviser: John Staber, Student Leaders: Claire Franzman and Elle Harson
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Beachside High School, St. Johns, Florida, The Beacon, Adviser: Rachel Murphy, Student Leaders: Briana Watson, Avery Willim, Victoria Gobeli, Alyssa Cronin, Saylah Sullivan
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Tocoi Creek High School, St. Augustine, Florida, The Territorial, Adviser: Shannon Welch, Student Leaders: Anthony Furfari, Kaitlyn Welch, Bradford Wiggs
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Geneva School of Boerne, Boerne, Texas, The Boardwalk, Adviser: Katy Dwyer, Student Leaders: Maggie Deimund, Taylor Locke, Bekah Burkhart, Audrey Kate Garcia & Elle Chalmers
Elementary, Middle School & Charter SPOA Gallery Recipients
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Liberty Pines Academy, St. Johns, Florida, Adviser: Donna Hale, Leonard's Photography
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LaVilla School of the Arts, Jacksonville, Florida, Adviser: Peyton Souder, Leonard's Photography
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Maryville Elementary School, Granite City, Illinois, Adviser: Wagner Portrait Group
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Spring Hill Middle School, Spring Hill, Tennessee, Adviser: Megan Burnette, Wilcox Recognition
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Woodview Elementary School, Grafton, WI, Adviser: Catherin Carr, Visual Image Photography