On-site competitions One of the features that makes SIPA’s convention truly unique is the opportunity for students to engage in spirited competitions with peers from across the Southeast. These contests showcase the top talents of both students and media programs in the region. With a variety of team and individual on-site competitions, participants gain hands-on, real-world experience across multiple media formats while working under the pressure of a deadline.
On-site Competitions
🥇Best in Show
The convention wraps up with the Best of Show at SIPA award. There is no qualifying critique score to enter the competition. The Best of Show at SIPA recognizes excellence among the convention attendees.
Best of Show will be awarded in the categories of broadcast, online, literary-arts magazine, news magazine, newspaper, and yearbook.
Entries are $20 per media.
📸Team On-site Competitions
Experience the excitement of our one-of-a-kind competitions, where students from every media discipline gain hands-on, real-world skills. Prompts for the competition will be distributed on Friday evening, and all submissions must be turned in by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Winners will be announced during the Awards Program on Sunday.
Broadcast- Students complete interviews, write a script and capture and edit footage on a specific topic to create a video package. Limit 3 teams per school. Two students per team. $30/teamLiterary Magazine- Students write, edit, create, and draw inspiration to craft artistic interpretations and content for a literary-arts magazine spread. Limit 3 teams per school. Up to four students per team. $50/teamNewsprint - Students interview, write, edit, photograph and design pages to create a newsprint package. Limit 3 teams per school. Up to four students per team. $50/teamOnline Media- Students interview, write, edit, photograph and design webpage to create a multimedia package. Limit 3 teams per school. Up to four students per team. $50/teamPhotography- Students take photographs based on a specific theme, write captions and create an online photo essay. Each member will contribute at least four photos to the essay. Limit 3 teams per school. Two students per team. $30/teamYearbook- Students interview, write, edit, photograph and design pages to create a yearbook package. Limit 3 teams per school. Up to four students per team. $50/team
🧠Quiz Bowl
Students compete in quiz bowl-style rounds as teams and answer questions about journalism standards, current events, civics, and pop culture. A trophy will be presented to the winning team. Limit 4 teams per school. Up to four students per team. $50/team
2026 Schedule:
Pre-test: Friday 8-8:30 p.m.
Rounds 1-4: Saturday 5-6 p.m.
Finals: Sunday 8-9 a.m.
📝Individual On-site Competitions
For those not joining a team competition, individual contests are available. Prompts for the competition will be distributed on Friday evening, and all submissions must be turned in by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Winners will be announced during the Awards Program on Sunday.
Anchor- Students write a script from copy on current news events we provide and then read it from an anchor desk. Maximum four entries per school. $20/studentReview- Students learn review writing techniques and write a review on an experience they participate in at the convention. Maximum four entries per school. $20/student
