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.
Register for the 2023 SIPA convention now. Plan your trip to Columbia (pdf) with this guidebook that includes FAQs, on-site competition information and basic convention facts. Reserve your hotel rooms (pdf) before Feb. 10 to get the convention rate. We will be posting updates as we have them so keep checking back.
Apply to be a CJI team member and receive your acceptance by April 30. Just tell us a little bit about who you are so we can assign you to the best beat for you! Find out more about CJI and what you will learn and do this summer.
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.
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!
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.
Award-winning writer and instructor Bobby Hawthorne will discuss the storytelling process and how all student journalists use the writing and reporting skills.
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.
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 recognized Christopher Chandler and Michaela Taylor for their dedication to student media at the annual convention held March 4-6, 2022.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Natalie Caula Hauff will lead our "Convention Conversation," moderated by former reporter and current Wando HS yearbook adviser Phillip Caston.
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, 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.
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, Columbia native and "Today Show" news anchor, will participate in our first "Convention Conversation," led by former SIPA president Amanda Loveday.
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, 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.
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 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, 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.
Since the school year will be virtual, the SIPA Endowment Committee will award two $500 technology grants to members.
This summer, SIPA adopted six cornerstone values that coincide with its new mission statement.
SIPA recognized several individuals for their service at the annual convention held March 6-8, 2020 in Columbia.
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, 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 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.
The SIPA Endowment awarded its sixth technology grant to The Arrow online news program at New Hope High School in New Hope, Alabama.
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, former West Henderson HS (North Carolina) adviser, has inspired a generation of journalists and continues to support SIPA's mission.
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 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.
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 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 honored several individuals for their service at the annual SIPA convention held March 2-4, 2018 in Columbia.
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, former Mississippi Scholastic Press Association director and high school journalism adviser, has supported scholastic journalism and education throughout the Southeast.
Two SIPA member programs won 2017 National Student Production Awards, better known as Emmy Awards, from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Rebecca Pittman is a media planner at Brunner, a marketing organization responsible for one of the most memorable Super Bowl 2017 advertising spots.
SIPA awarded scholarships to three outstanding scholastic journalists at the annual SIPA convention held March 3-5, 2017 in Columbia.
SIPA honored several of its outstanding administrators, staffers and alumni at the annual SIPA convention held March 3-5, 2017 in Columbia.
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.
A former SIPA president and SCSPA Journalist of the Year, Bertram Rantin brings 30 years of journalistic experience into the classroom at USC.
Kyle Tibbs Jones of The Bitter Southerner will give an interactive keynote at the 2017 SIPA Conference on Saturday, March 4.
SIPA uses social media to connect with, educate, offer advice to and entertain members. Find out how the organization uses three platforms.
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.
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 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, Wellington High School yearbook adviser, has been a driving force behind the SIPA Endowment since its inception 22 years ago.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anna Hodgson, a 2012 University of South Carolina visual communications graduate, is fascinated by data visualization, where investigative journalism meets creative design.
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.
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.
Sam Aaron, Dutch Fork High School senior, is co-producer of The Silver Screen Report broadcast and co-editor of The Renaissance newsmagazine.
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.
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.
The SIPA Endowment awarded its third annual technology grant to the Hoof Print at Ola High School in McDonough, Georgia.
Students can receive awards for individual work in various categories, publications and programs gain feedback and honors for overall work and advisers, principals and scholastic media friends can be recognized for dedication and support to programs. See all the awards and contests SIPA offers.
CJI is a four-day summer institute devoted to helping high school students and advisers enhance their knowledge of cutting-edge journalism techniques and standards for their publications and productions. Find out about CJI 2020!
SIPA holds its annual convention the first weekend of March in Columbia, South Carolina. Start planning your trip March 6-8, 2020 now!
SIPA's Endowment supports convention and college scholarships, a technology grant, keynote speakers and mentoring programs that benefit students and advisers across the Southeast. See how you can support the Endowment.
SIPA offers membership to broadcast, literary magazine, newsprint, online and yearbook programs in middle and high schools. Join your regional organization today!
SIPA connects with members through various social media platforms. Each platform allows us to communicate and engage in different ways, whether through curating resources, creating digital content or directly sharing advice.
SIPA students make an impact in high school, at college and in the professional world. Here are some of their stories.