Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Rural Schools Association of New York State 2025-26: Our Roots. Our Rise. Photo Contest Select a category Our Roots – Capture the foundation of rural life: landscapes, traditions, school pride, and the close ties that define your community. Our Rise – Show growth and possibility: learning in action, innovation, collaboration, or moments that represent the future of rural schools. Submission Guidelines 1 photo per student, club, or teacher entry (JPEG or PNG, at least 1,500px wide) per category. Include a title and caption (50–150 words) explaining how your photo reflects the selected category. Photos must be original, taken during the current or previous school year. Ensure permission is obtained for any recognizable people in the photo. Who can enter? Student Winners: Top photos will be featured at the RSA Annual Summer Conference, on RSA’s website, and in RSA publications. Teacher Award-Grand Prize: One teacher will receive statewide recognition for a photo that embodies the theme and highlights the role of rural educators. Public Relations/Communication Specialist Grand Prize: One PR/Communication Specialist will receive statewide recognition. Deadline to submit: February 27, 2026 Participant Type *Individual StudentClub, Class, or Group of StudentsTeacher or Staff MemberPR/Communications SpecialistOtherWho should be awarded if selected as a winner - individual student, group of students, teacher/staff member, club, class, or other). If selected, RSA will work with the mentor to capture names and additional information.Details for Mentors and Schools A teacher or staff member, which will be called the “mentor” of the photo contest must be identified from each participating school. The school must identify only one member to be a mentor. This mentor will be responsible for submitting all associated contest materials. Individual students, groups of students, classes, clubs, (or otherwise identified by the mentor) may participate. The school mentor will be responsible for setting restrictions and rules for their school entries regarding the number of photo submissions allowed per student, student groups, classes, or clubs. Student names will not be collected during the entry process. RSA will work directly with the mentor of the selected winners to retrieve this information. An attestation to release images of students and members of their community must be submitted upon entry. Each photo submitted requires an entry form submission. You may only submit one photo per form. Mentor Email Address *School District (please do not abbreviate) *Mentor Name *FirstLastYour Name *FirstLastYour Title (or grade(s) taught if a teacher) *Attestation I attest that the students and persons captured in the photo have signed a waiver, release, or have otherwise indicated that their identity may be shared for the purposes of this photo and contest. It is understood that the image may be used for RSA marketing materials, webpages, print, and other materials. Please confirm *YESNOPhoto Submission Category *RootsRisingPhoto Title *Brief description of the photo (150 words or less) * do (Max teacher) Submit One Photo (Max Size 10MB) * Click or drag a file to this area to upload. One photo per form is allowed - if you are submitting more than one photo, you will have to submit a new form.Grade(s) of participating students (you may select more than 1) *Kindergarten7th Grade1st Grade8th Grade2nd Grade9th Grade3rd Grade10th Grade4th Grade11th Grade5th Grade12th Grade6th GradeSend Submission
