The winnner is picked by the editors but I am sure that comments are taken into consideration too - from people who know the entrant person.  The contest rules are listed at the top of the page.  However, what concerns me is that we were supposed to be limited to 300 words which was very hard.  I could have been more descriptive but the limit held me back.  So many went over the word limit and supposively you were to be disqualified if you did - so I don't know what is up with that?