Skip to Content

College of Information and Communications

  • Video Contest

SIPA

Founded in 1923, the Southern Interscholastic Press Association is a nonprofit organization committed to helping students, advisers and administrators at public and private schools across the South create and cultivate unique, high-quality student media programs and rigorous hands-on learning experiences for all student storytellers.

2024 SIPA Convention

Join us for the 2024 Southern Interscholastic Press Association Convention in SIPA’s 100th year! There will be learning, competition and fun from March 1-3 at the Marriott Columbia and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina. 

Convention Registration

Onsite Competition Registration

Hotel reservations are due by Feb. 2 »


News

2023 SIPA Convention Wrap-Up

Find out more about 2023 SIPA convention and see all the winners. Thanks to our sponsors Jostens and SNO!

SIPA membership renewal

It's a new school year! So don't forget to renew your SIPA membership. Even if you have a lifetime membership, you need to update your school and evaluative information.

Social media

Follow SIPA on social media. We're on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Pinterest, and we want you to follow us. Find us by searching for SIPAatUSC! 

Member publications, students snag national awards

SIPA members receive big awards for individual achievements and overall publications from the Journalism Education Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Quill and Scroll Honor Society.

Bobby Hawthorne named 2023 convention keynote speaker

Award-winning writer and instructor Bobby Hawthorne will discuss the storytelling process and how all student journalists use the writing and reporting skills.

Members receive national recognition

SIPA members receive big awards for individual achievements and overall publications from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association, Integrated Marketing Communication Association, and National Scholastic Press Association.

Clarke Central HS seniors named SIPA Stars

Audrey Enghauser and Natalie Schliekelman, Clarke Central HS (Ga.) seniors, are named the final SIPA Stars of the school year. SIPA Stars is a showcase series that spotlights individual students, celebrates their content and exemplifies good Southern journalism at work in scholastic classrooms. 

SIPA recognizes Chandler, Taylor at 2022 convention

SIPA recognized Christopher Chandler and Michaela Taylor for their dedication to student media at the annual convention held March 4-6, 2022.

Natalie Caula Hauff named 2022 SIPA convention keynote speaker

Pulitzer Prize-winner Natalie Caula Hauff will lead our "Convention Conversation," moderated by former reporter and current Wando HS yearbook adviser Phillip Caston.

Members snag national awards

SIPA members receive big awards for individual achievements and overall publications from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Quill and Scroll Honor Society.

Chloe Sears, Hannah Watts named SIPA Stars

Chloe Sears, Clarke Central HS (Ga.), and Hannah Watts, Catawba Ridge HS (S.C.), are named the first SIPA Stars of the school year. SIPA Stars is a showcase series that spotlights individual students, celebrates their content and exemplifies good Southern journalism at work in scholastic classrooms. 

Artist Olivia Lake named SIPA Star

Olivia Lake, the newest SIPA Star from Sparkman HS (Ala.), is able to make ideas come to life through her art. SIPA Stars is a showcase series that spotlights individual students, celebrates their content and exemplifies good Southern journalism at work in scholastic classrooms. 

Craig Melvin named 2021 convention keynote speaker

Craig Melvin, Columbia native and "Today Show" news anchor, will participate in our first "Convention Conversation," led by former SIPA president Amanda Loveday.

Analis Bailey announced as special speaker at 2021 convention

Analis Bailey, a UofSC SJMC alumna, will speak live to convention attendees on March 5. Bailey works for USA Today as a sports reporter.

Natalie Ripps recognized as SIPA Star

Natalie Ripps, Clarke Central HS (Ga.) literary-arts magazine co-editor, is the second student named a SIPA Star, a showcase series that spotlights individual students, celebrates their content and exemplifies good Southern journalism at work in scholastic classrooms. 

American Heritage, West Henderson receive technology grants

The SIPA Endowment Committee awarded two technology grants this year due to COVID-19. WAHS News broadcast at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida and Wingspan news program and Westwind yearbook at West Henderson HS in Hendersonville, North Carolina received $500 for technology.

SIPA members receive national recognition, awards

SIPA members snag big awards for individual achievements as well as for overall publications from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Quill and Scroll Honor Society.

Ebony Christie named first SIPA Star

Ebony Christie, Richland Northeast HS (S.C.) producer, becomes the first student recognized as a SIPA Star, a showcase series that spotlights individual students, celebrates their content and exemplifies good Southern journalism at work in scholastic classrooms. 

Endowment to award two technology grants

Since the school year will be virtual, the SIPA Endowment Committee will award two $500 technology grants to members.

SIPA adopts six cornerstone values

This summer, SIPA adopted six cornerstone values that coincide with its new mission statement.

SIPA recognizes individuals for service at 2020 convention

SIPA recognized several individuals for their service at the annual convention held March 6-8, 2020 in Columbia.

Amanda Heckert announced as 2020 convention keynote

Amanda Heckert, a University of South Carolina alumna, will be the Saturday morning keynote speaker at the 2020 convention. Heckert is the deputy editor at Garden & Gun magazine and editor of the magazine's latest book, Southern Women.

Lori Oglesbee-Petter named 2020 Endowment speaker

Lori Oglesbee-Petter, former SIPA chair, has fought fiercely to protect the practice of journalism. When the principal of Prosper HS implemented prior review, she taught her students how to stand up for themselves and for their first amendment rights. 

SIPA members win at 2019 National High School Journalism Fall Convention

SIPA members snag big awards for individual achievements as well as for overall publications from the Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association at the 2018 Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Washington, D.C. Nov. 21-24.

New Hope HS online news program receives technology grant

The SIPA Endowment awarded its sixth technology grant to The Arrow online news program at New Hope High School in New Hope, Alabama.

Prosper HS online editors, former adviser announced as convention speakers

Neha Madhira and Haley Stack will give a TED Talk-style speech March 2, while their former adviser Lori Oglesbee-Petter will teach multiple yearbook sessions. All three will be honored with the Joseph Shoquist Freedom of the Press Award.

Brenda Gorsuch named 2019 Endowment speaker

Brenda Gorsuch, former West Henderson HS (North Carolina) adviser, has inspired a generation of journalists and continues to support SIPA's mission.

Q&A: Get to know your 2018-2019 SIPA student officers

Learn more about Yasmin, Kelly, Greyson and Megan, your SIPA student officers. They attended the fall executive committee meeting and were responsible for the SIPA 2019 theme and logo.

SIPA members win at 2018 National High School Journalism Fall Convention

SIPA members snag big awards for individual achievements as well as for overall publications from the Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association at the 2018 Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Chicago Nov. 1-4.

Northwest Guilford HS newspaper receives technology grant

The SIPA Endowment awarded its fifth annual technology grant to the Northwest Horizons print and online program at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina.

SIPA recognizes outstanding administrator

SIPA recognized Sabrina Suber with its Dr. Kay Phillips Administrator-of-the-Year Award at the annual SIPA convention held March 2-4, 2018 in Columbia.

SIPA honors individuals for service to organization

SIPA honored several individuals for their service at the annual SIPA convention held March 2-4, 2018 in Columbia.

SIPA members win at 2017 National High School Journalism Fall Convention

SIPA members won some big awards for individual achievements and as overall publications from the Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association at the 2017 Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Dallas Nov. 15-19.

Beth Fitts named 2018 Endowment speaker

Beth Fitts, former Mississippi Scholastic Press Association director and high school journalism adviser, has supported scholastic journalism and education throughout the Southeast.

SIPA broadcast members win Emmy awards

Two SIPA member programs won 2017 National Student Production Awards, better known as Emmy Awards, from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

SIPA Alumni: Rebecca Pittman

Rebecca Pittman is a media planner at Brunner, a marketing organization responsible for one of the most memorable Super Bowl 2017 advertising spots.

Students awarded scholarships at SIPA convention

SIPA awarded scholarships to three outstanding scholastic journalists at the annual SIPA convention held March 3-5, 2017 in Columbia.

SIPA honors outstanding administrators, alumni and staff

SIPA honored several of its outstanding administrators, staffers and alumni at the annual SIPA convention held March 3-5, 2017 in Columbia.

SIPA Alumni: Mills Hayes

A former yearbook editor at Lexington High School, Mills Hayes is now pursuing a broadcast journalism degree at the University of South Carolina, where she's the station manager for SGTV.

SIPA Alumni: Bertram Rantin

A former SIPA president and SCSPA Journalist of the Year, Bertram Rantin brings 30 years of journalistic experience into the classroom at USC.

SIPA Announces Keynote and #MySouth Campaign

Kyle Tibbs Jones of The Bitter Southerner will give an interactive keynote at the 2017 SIPA Conference on Saturday, March 4.

SIPA adds new ways to connect through social media

SIPA uses social media to connect with, educate, offer advice to and entertain members. Find out how the organization uses three platforms.

SIPA Alumni: Megan Plassmeyer

SIPA helped instill an investigative mentality that's been vital to Megan Plassmeyer in her advocacy work at the Women's Rights and Empowerment Network.

SIPA Staff: Justin Brouckaert

Justin Brouckaert earned his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of South Carolina in May 2016 and has been telling SIPA success stories since August 2016.

SIPA Alumni: Lauren Harper

SIPA helped teach Lauren Harper the ins and outs of journalism. Now she puts that knowledge to use in the Office of the Mayor.

Mary Inglis named 2017 Endowment speaker

Mary Inglis, Wellington High School yearbook adviser, has been a driving force behind the SIPA Endowment since its inception 22 years ago.

SIPA Alumni: Amanda Loveday

Amanda Loveday's career has taken a few twists and turns, from journalism to politics to public relations. The one thing that's never changed? A love for storytelling.

SIPA members win big at JEA/NSPA 2016 fall convention

SIPA members won some big awards from the Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association at the 2016 Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Indianapolis Nov. 10-13.

SIPA Alumni: Justin Fabiano

Justin Fabiano's journalism career started with SIPA, then took him to the University of South Carolina, ESPN and the SEC Network before landing him back home at Stratford High School.

SIPA Alumni: Liz McCarthy

SCSPA and SIPA helped Liz McCarthy hone her skills in writing, photography, video and social media. At USC, she found a job that lets her do it all.

SIPA Alumni: Rebecca Piner

Rebecca Piner's experiences as SIPA auction coordinator gave her the confidence to pursue a public relations degree. Now she uses those experiences every day as a marketing assistant for USC Athletics.

SIPA Alumni: Jarad Greene

Jarad Greene, a former SIPA student assistant, is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in cartooning. SIPA gave him the encouragement and validation to stick with his craft through college and beyond.

SIPA Alumni: Anna Hodgson

Anna Hodgson, a 2012 University of South Carolina visual communications graduate, is fascinated by data visualization, where investigative journalism meets creative design.

SIPA Alumni: Kevin Mobley

Kevin Mobley is a 2016 graduate of Clarke Central High School, where he was editor-in-chief of ODYSSEY newsmagazine. He looks back on SIPA conventions as milestones in his journalistic growth.

Student Officer: Sophie Winnick

Sophie Winnick, Wando High School senior, is co-editor-in-chief of the Legend yearbook. She likes how SIPA brings out the competitive side of scholastic journalists.

Student Officer: Sam Aaron

Sam Aaron, Dutch Fork High School senior, is co-producer of The Silver Screen Report broadcast and co-editor of The Renaissance newsmagazine.

Student Officer: Allison Killinger

Allison Killinger, Richland Northeast High School senior, is the co-editor-in-chief of The Archive yearbook. Through SIPA, she's learned valuable skills in advertising, photography and spread design.

Student Officer: Sara Goodie

Sara Goodie, Clarke Central High School senior, is the editor-in-chief of the iliad literary arts magazine. She credits SIPA for instilling confidence, drive and her dedication to journalism.

Ola HS newspaper receives technology grant

The SIPA Endowment awarded its third annual technology grant to the Hoof Print at Ola High School in McDonough, Georgia.


Links


Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

©