SIPA: CONVENTION

USC

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Over 500 scholastic journalism advisers, special guests and speakers registered for this year's POP: Power of the Press convention held February 29 - March 2 in Columbia, S.C.

SIPA's annual convention kicked-off Friday with pre-convention classes and media tours. Friday and Saturday the convention offered educational sessions to students and advisers, as well as numerous intrastate competitions. Sessions are designed to help all staffers, from the beginning to the advanced, and are taught by nationally recognized advisers and journalism professionals. SIPA also offers hands-on training in computer classes.

Friday’s keynote speaker Kelly McBride, ethics leader at Poynter Institute, offered advice that helps your staff when you find yourself in those sticky ethical situations. She also helped staffs recognize ethical problems and know how to work their way through them responsibly.

Saturday keynote speaker, Sean Daly, a columnist from the St. Petersburg Times and self-proclaimed pop culture junkie, gave his take on the impact of pop culture in society and the media. Daly also talked about how to write for yourself and your readers. Whether Daly was talking about the history and progression of hip-hop music or making students (and advisers!) perform famous dance moves, he always kept the audience entertained and engaged.

COMPETITIONS

Students also had the opportunity to compete in the following team on-site competitions:

Southern Regional Scholastic Journalism Quiz Bowl: Two four-person teams may compete in a qualifying round. Winners advance to semifinals Saturday and finals on Sunday.
WED competition: WED stands for Writing, Editing and Design competition open to newspaper and yearbook teams. These teams of four write, edit and design a newspaper page or yearbook spread.
Broadcast individual anchor contest.
Broadcast on-the-spot feature where students compete in two-person teams producing a feature package on the convention.

INDIVIDUAL CONTESTS

Individual students competed in the Carry-in Contest.

By the end of the convention students, advisers and professionals left knowing a great deal more about the future of journalism. The students also have the knowledge of how to improve their publications design, writing and leadership.

Check the links on the right to view the opening, photos, awards and program.

Mark March 6 - 8 on your calendar now for SIPA 2009!

2008 Convention Recap

2008 Program (pdf)

Convention Opening (Quick Time movie)

2007-08 Publication Awards

2008 Scholarship Recipients

Dr. Kay Phillips Administrator of the Year

Al Leonard's Administrator of the Year speech (pdf)

Elizabeth B. Dickey Distinguished Service Award Recipients

Scroggins Winners

Best in State Newspapers