South Carolina Scholastic Press Association























	Search

History of SCSPA

"It all began as the journalist begins- with people, an idea, an empty page. Today, after more than half a century, the idea expands toward fulfillment as the pages are filled with a history. It is a story of people working toward excellence- people tending toward an ideal that promises to shine far, far into the future. It is a story of youth yearning toward an expression of truth. It is the story of the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association."

Preface to SCSPA's 50th anniversary booklet: The First 50 Years- A Brief History, 1936-1986.

SCSPA Today

More than 1,500 scholastic journalists and publication advisers annually attend SCSPA offerings. The annual fall conference continues to draw more than 600 participants; the spring conference draws nearly 500 each April. Hundreds of students and advisers also regularly attend other workshops that highlight design and journalistic writing and InDesign, Photoshop and Final Cut Pro software.

Two dozen advisers and elected student officers also attend two annual board meetings at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications each year. More than 60 staffs annually send their publications to the SCSPA office to be evaluated by knowledgeable publication advisers and professional journalists.

Each year, dozens of staffs send entries into SCSPA's Excellence in Scholastic Newspaper Awards (ESNA) and magazine and yearbook individual competitions. Major honors, including Journalist of the Year, SCSPA scholarships, SCSPA/Jostens Yearbook scholarships, Reid H. Montgomery Adviser of the Year and the Albert T. Scroggins Jr. service award, continue to be a highlight of the spring awards ceremony.

SCSPA Firsts

First Director- Fred C. Kendrick (1936-1943)
First SCSPA Conference- 230 Participants (1936)
First Newspaper Student President- David Chewning, Greenville HS (1936-1937)
First SCSPA Director to Receive CSPA's Gold Key- Fred C. Kendrick (1940)
First Official SCSPA-sponsored Adviser Association (1958-1972)
First Year for Yearbook Evaluation Service (1959)
First Graduate Assistant- Caroline McGee (1966)
First Journalist of the Year- Jane McFaddin, Manning HS (1969)
First Co-Directors- Perry Ashley, Yearbook, and James McElveen, Newspaper (1969-1971)
First Yearbook/Magazine Student President- Thom Nicoll, Parker HS (1969-1970)
First Year for Literary Magazine Evaluation Service (1975)
First Undergraduate Assistant- Jill Hancock (1980-1981)
First Four-year Undergraduate Assistant- Andrew Bosman (1987-1991)
First Year for Public Relations Materials Evaluation Service (1993)
First Scholastic Press Manager- Andrew Bosman (1993-1997)
First Year for Broadcast Membership (2003)

Award Recipients
Journalists of the Year, 1969-2012:

2012- Coralia Balasca, J.L. Mann HS
2011- Christopher Rosa, Lexington HS
2010- Travis Horne, Lugoff-Elgin HS
2009- Ashley Brown, J.L. Mann HS
2008- Lindsey Sydow, Wando HS
2007- Ashley Marie Gardner, Lugoff-Elgin HS
2005- Melissa Rhodes, Clover HS
2004- Lindsay Wilkes-Edrington, North Augusta HS
2003- Leslie Dennis, Lugoff-Elgin HS
2002- Allyson Bird, James Island HS
2001- Meredith Crocker, Lugoff-Elgin HS
2000- Alison Shuman, Irmo HS
1999- Jennifer Rosenkrantz, Cheraw HS
1998- Brian Hamman, J.L. Mann HS
1997- Phillip Caston, Spartanburg HS
1996- Erin McClam, Irmo HS
1995- Cece von Kolnitz, Irmo HS
1994- Clifton Chestnut, Wando HS
1993- Tracie Long, Hillcrest HS
1992- Michelle Gilchrist, Lugoff-Elgin HS, and Marc LaFountain, Irmo HS
1991- Charlotte Mayfield, Beaufort HS, and Holly Radloff, Eastside HS
1990- Suzanne Richards, Laurens District 55 HS
1989- Amy Mims, Laurens District 55 HS
1988- Lori Price, Camden HS
1987- Melissa Anne Joyner, Lugoff-Elgin HS
1986- Alexa Maddox, Rock Hill HS
1985- Alexa Maddox, Rock Hill HS
1984- Lennie Lanfranco, Irmo HS
1983- Tracy Mixon, Hillcrest HS
1982- Roseann Woodham, Easley HS
1981- Robert Vinson, Camden HS
1980- Jennifer Nicholson, Spring Valley HS
1979- Kim Acker, T.L. Hanna HS
1978- Jan Adkins, Greenville HS
1977- Bertram Rantin, Manning HS
1976- Tommy Taylor, Saluda HS, and Susan Reu, Camden HS
1975- Donna Sparks, Dorman HS
1974- Mark Hedgecoth, Hillcrest HS
1973- Unknown
1972- Donna Ross, Camden HS, and Mack Davis, Spartanburg HS
1971- Janet Simpson, Hillcrest HS
1970- Unknown
1969- Jan McFaddin, Manning HS

SCSPA scholarship winners, 1979-2012:

2012- Lauren Harper, Fort Mill HS
2011 - Anna Stevens, Lugoff-Elgin HS
2010 - Chelsea Shope, Summerville HS
2009- Zac Baker, Dutch Fork HS
2008- Alysha Strother, Dutch Fork HS
2007- Justin Fabiano, Stratford HS
2006- Zach Toman, Lancaster HS
2005- Megan Herring, Carolina Forest HS
2004- Eryn Hutchison, Dutch Fork HS, Elizabeth White, Lugoff-Elgin HS, & Tecla Markosky, Wando HS
2003- Maria Charles, Spartanburg HS, & Jason Myers, Carolina Forest HS
2002- Alyson Goff, Stratford HS, and Laura Gough, North Augusta HS
2001- Parul Joshi, Westside HS, and Laura Moss, Riverside HS
2000- Carla Wynn, Beaufort HS
1999- Laura Dickert, Lugoff-Elgin HS, and Kathryn Patterson, Dorman HS
1998- Emily Hensley, Boiling Springs HS, and Clayton Kale, James F. Byrnes HS
1997- Tim Green, Wade Hampton HS
1996- Allison Aiken, Socastee HS, and Jason Lynes, Irmo HS
1995- Jessica Barfield, Lancaster HS, and Andrea Painter, Spartanburg HS
1994- Kelly Ann Harding, Clover HS, and Tieffa Harper, Summerville HS
1993- Melissa Smith, Eastside HS
1992- Melody Tinsley, Easley HS
1991- Jamie Williams, Abbeville HS
1990- Daniel Barabas, Greer HS
1989- Kathy Heberger, Greer HS
1988- Bonnie Drake, Wando HS
1987- Michelle Elizabeth Fox, Eastside HS
1986- Padgett Singleton, James F. Byrnes Academy
1985- Bruce Littlefield, Brookland-Cayce HS
1984- Renee Sharpe, Airport HS
1983- Dawn Starr Brock, Cheraw HS
1982- Unknown
1981- Mary Ann Bannich, T. L. Hanna HS
1980- Unknown
1979- Kim Acker, T. L. Hanna HS

SCPA scholarship winners, 1998-2012:

2008- Jessica Hardin, Travelers Rest HS
2007- Zach Lamb, Hanahan HS
2006- Lauren Elizabeth Smith, Chapman HS
2005- Melissa Rhodes, Clover HS
2002- Kimberly Grotheer, South Aiken HS, and Shawn Rourk, Stratford HS
2001- Jennifer Barclay, Wando HS, and Jacquelyn Broach, Lake City HS
2000- Sarah McLean, Wando HS, and Erin Shealy, Saluda HS
1999- Jessica Copeland, Lexington HS, and Christina Myers, South Aiken HS
1998- Leigh Priester, Beaufort HS, and Carly Roberts, Laurens District 55 HS

SCSPA/Jostens yearbook scholarship winners, 2008-2012:

2012- Callie Gunter, Gilbert HS
2011- Macaylee Jones, Lugoff-Elgin HS
2010- Max Fowler, Lugoff-Elgin HS
2009- Taylor Cheney, Charleston County School of the Arts
2008- Lori Cox, Lugoff-Elgin HS

Montgomery Advisers of the Year, 1986-2012:

2012 - Phillip Caston, newspaper & yearbook adviser, J.L. Mann HS
2011 - Rene Horton, yearbook adviser, Pleasant Hill MS
2010 - Amy Goodwin, newspaper and yearbook adviser, Landrum HS
2009- Ginger Dunker, literary magazine adviser, South Aiken HS
2008- Amy Medlock-Greene, broadcast and newspaper adviser, Dutch Fork HS
2007- Beth Underwood, yearbook adviser, Dutch Fork MS
2006- Martha Herring, newspaper adviser, Carolina Forest HS
2005- Jana Hletko, newspaper adviser, Andrews HS
2004- Tressie Hays, newspaper and yearbook adviser, Lexington HS
2003- Sharon Johnson, yearbook adviser, South Aiken HS
2002- Will Felts, newspaper adviser, James Island HS
2001- Kathy Fuller, publications adviser, Irmo MS
2000- Richard Gay, yearbook adviser, Lancaster HS
1999- Tamela Watkins, newspaper adviser, Wando HS
1998- Bobbie McCuen, yearbook adviser, Woodmont HS
1997- Becky Bannon, yearbook adviser, St. James MS
1996- Evelyn Anderson, publications adviser, Riverside HS
1995- Lisa Ashton, publications adviser, Spartanburg HS
1994- Linda Leatherman, yearbook adviser, Lexington HS
1993- Judy Mulkey, newspaper adviser, Irmo MS-Campus I
1992- Beth Hammond, magazine adviser, Brookland-Cayce HS
1991- Greg Jones, publications adviser, Spring Valley HS
1990- Bela Herlong, literary magazine adviser, Saluda HS
1989- Karen Flowers, newspaper adviser, Irmo HS
1988- David J. Corley, newspaper adviser, Laurens District 55 HS
1986- J. Grady Locklear, literary magazine adviser, Sumter HS

Scroggins winners, 1984-2012:

2012 - Beth Underwood, former adviser
2011 - Will Felts, former adviser & SCSPA 75th Anniversary History writer
2010 - David Patrick, yearbook representative
2009- Susan Hughes, principal J.L. Mann HS
2008- Sandra R. Woodcock, Newspaper Association of America Foundation
2007- Charles Renner, Sumter HS
2006- Wade Spees, photographer, Post and Courier
2005- Joseph P. Clarke, principal Spartanburg HS
2004- William Gassman, former principal South Aiken HS
2003- Bruce E. Konkle, former SCSPA director (1985-2002), School of Journalism and Mass Communications
2002- Steve Blackwell and Don Wilder, publishers, Hometown News, Woodruff, SC
2001- William C. Rogers, executive director, South Carolina Press Association
2000- Ronald T. Farrar, interim dean, USC’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications
1999- Richard P. Johns, executive director, Quill and Scroll
1998- Beth Dickey, executive director, Southern Interscholastic Press Association
1997- Kay Phillips, director, North Carolina Scholastic Media Association
1996- Tom French, feature writer, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
1995- Anna Hicks, principal, Irmo HS
1994- Mary Ann Blaskowitz, director of communications, Kershaw County Schools
1993- Wendell Shealy, principal, St. James MS
1992- Thomas Ervin, judge, 10th Judicial Circuit, Anderson, SC
1991- Charles E. Savedge, yearbook consultant, Verona, VA
1990- Jan Ferrell, English teacher, Rock Hill HS
1989- David Knight, public information director, Lancaster School District
1988- Betty G. Coffey, language arts consultant, Greenville County School District
1987- O. Wray Smith, principal, Dorman HS
1986- Francis Snelgrove, former superintendent, Kershaw County Schools
1985- Everette Gobble, principal/superintendent, Woodland Park School, Myrtle Beach AFB
1984- Albert T. Scroggins Jr., dean, USC’s College of Journalism

Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Key recipients
with South Carolina ties, 1940-2010:

1996- Linda Owens, former graduate assistant (1980-1981), SCSPA
1994- Karen H. Flowers, newspaper adviser, Irmo HS
1993- David Knight, public information director, Lancaster County Schools
1988- Bruce E. Konkle, director, SCSPA
1985- Mary Ann Blaskowitz, newspaper adviser, Camden HS
1984- Elizabeth B. Dickey, director, Southern Interscholastic Press Association
1982- Ann Herlong, director, SCSPA
1979- Dr. Albert T. Scroggins Jr., dean, College of Journalism, University of South Carolina
1978- J. Grady Locklear, literary magazine adviser, Sumter High School
1976- Leslie R. Howell, graduate student, University of South Carolina
1975- Alice C. James, yearbook adviser, Hillcrest (Dalzell) HS
1967- Frances Todd, North Augusta HS
1961- Eoline E. May, Union Senior HS
1957- Rebecca Becton, Greenville Senior HS
1957- Emily S. Brothers, English Coordinator, District #1, and former newspaper adviser, Florence HS
1949- Reid H. Montgomery, chair, journalism department, Winthrop University, and director, SCSPA
1940- Frederick C. Kendrick, newspaper adviser, Greenville HS, and director, SCSPA

SCSPA ASSISTANTS
SCSPA Graduate Assistants, 1970-2012:

2001-2002- Joan (Ali) Jansen
1990-1992- Linda Ashby
1989-1990- Anne Trainer
1988-1989- Gretchen Huizinga
1987-1988- Mark Hartsell
1986-1987- Joan Price/Gwendolyn Elliott
1985-1986- Joan Price
1984-1985- Joe Hughes
1983-1984- Danny Flanders
1981-1983- Steve Haggerty
1980-1981- Linda Owens
1979-1980- Bruce E. Konkle
1977-1978- Mary Babb Morse
1976-1977- Theresa Sislind
1973-1975- Mary Myers
1972-1973- Kitty Carson
1971-1972- Linda Harvey
1970-1971- Susan Ross
1966-1967- Caroline McGee

SCSPA Undergraduate Assistants, 1980-2012:

2011-2012-Kelsey D'Amico, Jenna Eckel, Ashley Gardner & Rebecca Piner
2010-2011-Kelsey D'Amico, Jenna Eckel, Ashley Gardner, Jarad Greene & Aric Lavender
2009-2010-Jenna Eckel, Ashley Gardner, Jarad Greene & Beverly Morris
2008-2009- Ashley Gardner, Jarad Greene & Beverly Morris
2007-2008- Ashley Gardner, Jarad Greene & Beverly Morris
2006-2007- Leslie Dennis, Megan Herring & Stephen Stanton
2005-2006- Leslie Dennis, Megan Herring, Jessica Neilsen & Stephen Stanton
2004-2005- Leslie Dennis, Jessica Neilsen, Julia Sellers & Alison Shuman
2003-2004- Kathleen Barber, Julia Sellers & Alison Shuman
2002-2003- Kathleen Barber, Meredith Crocker & Alison Shuman
2000-2002- Janet Abercrombie
1998-1999- Allison Aiken/Beth Zeigler
1997-1998- Allison Aiken
1996-1997- Stephanie Cole/Allison Aiken
1995-1996- Clifton Chestnut/Stephanie Cole
1994-1995- Marc LaFountain & Clifton Chestnut/Stephanie Sonnenfeld
1993-1994- Marc LaFountain/Michelle Gilchrist (SIPA)
1991-1993- Marc LaFountain & April Skeen
1987-1991- Andy Bosman
1985-1987- Renee Sharpe
1983-1985- Rodney Howell
1981-1982- Deborah Conrad
1980-1981- Jill Hancock