2025 Competition Deadline Announced!
For official rules, deadlines, and updates, please refer to the competition organizer. Aralia provides competition information for student reference and is not affiliated with the competition organizer.
Quill and Scroll Yearbook Excellence Contest
Quill and Scroll, the International High School Honor Society, hosts the Quill and Scroll Yearbook Excellence Contest. The Yearbook Excellence Contests celebrate the best in yearbook design, writing and photography. Students can choose from 39 categories, under four main umbrellas: Design, Writing, Photo and Middle School to submit!
Aralia does not currently offer a preparation class for this competition.
Competition Overview
Eligibility
Middle school and high school students
Entry Fee
$8 each entry
Submission Deadline
October 1, 2025
Winner Announcement
December 1, 2025
Competition Details
1. Categories
Design Categories:
- Category 1 – Theme Development
- Category 2 – Cover Design
- Category 3 – Student Life Spread
- Category 4 – Academics Spread
- Category 5 – Clubs or Organizations Spread
- Category 6 – Sports Spread
- Category 7 – Performing Arts Spread
- Category 8 – People (panel) Spread
- Category 9 – Profile Spread
- Category 10 – Graphic Design Spread
- Category 11 – News/Current Events Spread
- Category 12 – Beginning Designer
Writing Categories
- Category 13 – Headline Writing and Design
- Category 14 – Caption Writing
- Category 15 – Personality Profiles
- Category 16 – Sports Feature Writing
- Category 17 – Academics Writing
- Category 18 – Clubs or Organizations Writing
- Category 19 – Performing Arts Writing
- Category 20 – Student Life Writing
- Category 21 – Alternative Story Form
- Category 22 – News/Current Events Writing
- Category 23 – Theme Copy
- Category 24 – Beginning Writer
Photo Categories:
- Category 25 – Sports Action Photo
- Category 26 – Sports Feature Photo
- Category 27 – Feature/Student Life Photo
- Category 28 – Academic Photo
- Category 29 – Clubs or Organizations Photo
- Category 30 – Performing Arts Photo
- Category 31 – Theme Photo
- Category 32 – News/Current Events Photo
- Category 33 – Portrait Photography
- Category 34 – Photo Illustration
- Category 35 – Photo Essay
- Category 36 – Beginning Photographer
Middle School Categories:
- Category 37 – Middle School Design
- Category 38 – Middle School Writing
- Category 39 – Middle School Photo
2. Judging
Judges will award first, second, and third places in each category for each class, along with honorable mentions, ensuring that 10 to 15 percent of all entries are recognized in every category. All high school students who receive awards will be eligible to apply for Quill and Scroll student scholarships in May of their senior year.
Quill and Scroll administrators will tally points (5 for first place, 4 for second, 3 for third, and 1 for honorable mention) to determine a Blue and Gold Award winner for each class, as well as first, second, and third places in each of the subcategories—Design, Writing, and Photo.
Class Recommendation
Prepare to compete at the highest level