Q: What is the AJC Cup?
A: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup was started in 1927 and is one of the oldest newspaper awards programs in the country. This is an annual award – a trophy – given to a high school student in each participating metro Atlanta school. The graduating student is selected by school administrators based on their achievements, character, leadership and/or community involvement. Each student is awarded an AJC Cup that includes their name, school and year. The student’s school typically presents the AJC Cup trophy at a time or ceremony determined by the school such as graduation, senior night or at an award program. In addition to a trophy, the AJC salutes this important milestone by recognizing these students in print.
Q: How are students selected?
A: A high school senior is selected by school administrators based on their achievements, character, leadership and/or community involvement. The AJC is not involved in the selection but is provided the student’s information by a member of the school administration – principal, guidance counselor, etc.
Q: How are schools selected?
A: Nearly 200 public and private schools in metro Atlanta were contacted by the AJC and offered the opportunity to submit an honoree.
Q: What schools are eligible to participate?
A: High schools must have a minimum of 75 students in their graduating class and be in one of the following counties: Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Newton, Paulding, Pike, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton.
Q: How is the student nominee information submitted?
A: The AJC Cup submission form is online only. Students are selected only by a school official or administrator. At this time, submissions are not open to the public.
Q: What is the deadline for submission?
A: The deadline for 2017 AJC Cup submissions is Friday, March 31. Nominations cannot be accepted after Friday, March 31, due to publication deadlines.
Q: How is a student’s information used by the AJC?
A: The AJC recognizes these students by publishing the list of AJC Cup recipients in print in June. The AJC makes every effort to protect each student’s information and does not collect or publish personal contact information or share information with any third party.
Q: How do I know if the nomination was received?
A: The school official who submitted the submission will receive an automatic confirmation message immediately after submission. For any other inquiries, send an email to AJCCup@coxinc.com.
Q: Why does my school not have a winner?
A: We make every effort to contact all eligible schools in metro Atlanta. Each year we contact over 200 public and private schools by email and mail. In some cases, there are schools that meet the requirements but do not respond to our requests with an honoree.
Q: How does the student receive their trophy?
A: Trophies are sent directly from Suburban Custom Awards. Suburban makes every effort to ensure that submissions received by May 10 will be shipped to arrive in ample time of the school’s graduation/senior event.
Q: How are students recognized by the AJC?
A: Each year the AJC publishes the names of the AJC Cup winners soon after traditional high school graduations, typically in early June. The print publication date may vary.
Q: Who can I contact with any additional questions?
A: You can send inquiries to AJCCup@coxinc.com.
