H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year

About this program

The Journalism Education Association, supported by Balfour Yearbooks, Jostens, Varsity Yearbook and Walsworth Yearbooks, awards the H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year to recognize outstanding secondary yearbook advisers for recent-year and career excellence; the winner receives a $1,000 personal prize, $500 for the winner’s school, an award plaque, a YAOY pin, plus roundtrip economy airfare and up to two nights’ lodging to attend the spring JEA/NSPA convention. Applications are submitted all‑digital via JEA’s Submittable portal (application link typically posted around May 15) and must be received by Sept. 15, with winners announced in December. Applicants must be current JEA members and the committee seeks advisers with at least five years of yearbook advising experience (advisers with less experience are encouraged to pursue the Rising Star Award). Required materials include an updated resume, up to five letters of recommendation, two JPEG photos (head shot and candid) and prescribed PDF yearbook pages/spreads uploaded in the order and formats specified in the JEA application PDF; convention registration beyond the luncheon/panel is not automatically covered.