Girls basketball team hugging and celebrating on the court
The Story Award — the KSNN Story Contest

The KSNN Story Contest

The Story Award

Watch: What We're Looking For

The Story Award KSNN Channel

A short film from the KSNN newsroom on the stories that win: character, not stat lines.

Your athlete has a story worth telling. Enter a video that shows how they lead, persevere, support others, or make an impact beyond the game, and let our newsroom tell it to the world.

Free to enter Ages 5–18 Parental consent required Every sport

Entries are open. The last day to enter is December 31, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Pacific).

Enter the Contest How it works

How it works

Three steps. One story

The whole entry takes about ten minutes. A parent or legal guardian submits and approves every entry, nothing is reviewed or published without consent.

1

Tell the story

Record a short video about the moment your athlete showed who they really are, on or off the field, and share the link with your entry.

2

Parent approval

A parent or guardian confirms the entry and consents to review. We verify every entry before it goes anywhere.

3

The newsroom takes it from there

Our editors review every story. Finalists get a KSNN feature; the winner takes The Story Award.

The prize

  • A real cash prize, keep it, or give it to a cause you choose
  • A story worth sharing with family, school, and teammates

Entry window: October 1 to December 31, 2026. The winner receives a $1,000 cash prize (see the Official Rules).

Enter the Contest

Why Share Your Story?

Because they'll remember it

An entry becomes a keepsake for your athlete, your family and the teammates in the video.

Because character counts

The Story Award looks past the scoreboard: effort, kindness, grit and heart.

Because the newsroom tells it properly

Finalists are written up by KSNN editors, so the story reaches beyond your own sideline.

Important dates

Entries open October 1, 2026 A 90 day entry window.
Entry deadline December 31, 2026 Late entries can't be judged.
Finalists notified Announcing soon By email, to the parent/guardian on the entry.
Winner announced Announcing soon Here, and on @ksnnchannel.

What the judges look for

Not the score. Not the stats. The Story Award goes to character in action.

Leadership

Lifting a team when it counts, with actions and words.

Perseverance

Coming back from the injury, the loss, the hard season.

Sportsmanship

Respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and the game.

Impact

Making a difference beyond the game: school, family, community.

Entries are parent-approved and COPPA-compliant. Please read the Official Rules and Privacy Policy before you enter.

Questions, answered

Who can enter?

Any youth athlete aged 5–18, in any sport, at any level, recreational or competitive. A parent or legal guardian must make the entry.

Does it cost anything?

No. Entering The Story Award is free.

Why does a parent have to submit it?

Because entrants may be under 13, a parent or guardian must submit and approve every entry. We use this only to verify consent, nothing is reviewed or published without it.

What does the winner get?

A $1,000 cash prize, a KSNN feature story, and video coverage of their journey. Full details are in the Official Rules.

When are winners announced?

Entries are open from October 1 to December 31, 2026. Judging and announcement dates are being finalized and will be posted here and on @ksnnchannel.

Something else? Write to newsdesk@ksnn.net.

Winners & Featured Entries

See approved entries
After judging, the winning story and finalists will be showcased right here, told the KSNN way, with the athlete's name in lights. Approved entries are listed on the Contest Entries page.

The Story Award

Ready to tell it?

Ten minutes, one story, and a newsroom waiting to hear it. It Begins Here!

Enter the Contest

Parent-approved entries · COPPA-compliant

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