Are you attending the 2026 Spring National High School Journalism Convention? Make sure to connect with SIPA during your time in Minneapolis!

Visit booth #809 at the trade show to say hello and grab some SIPA swag!

Thursday, April 16 1 – 7 p.m.

Friday, April 17 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Join some of our students, advisers and staff for sessions throughout the convention.

Thursday, April 16

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Social Media Storytelling

Sarah Lerner, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – 101 J

Friday, April 17

12-12:45 p.m.

Walking the walk: Leading by example

David Ragsdale, Clarke Central High School, 100 GH

Saturday, April 18

8-8:45 a.m.

Organizing your production

Sarah Lerner, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – 101 B

9-9:45 a.m.

Let’s get social

Sarah Lerner, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – 101 B

10-10:45 a.m.

Southern storytelling panel

Larry Steinmetz, Bullitt East High School, David Ragsdale, Clarke Central High School, Phillip Caston, Wando High School, R.J. Morgan, University of Mississippi – 100 J

11-11:45 a.m.

AI and the future of media: Skills you’ll need to succeed

Dr. Tom Reichert, University of South Carolina – 200 HIJ

The 85-lb beagle and the legless football player: Finding stories

Phillip Caston, Wando High School – M100 J

1-1:45 p.m.

Blocked, not broken: Normalizing the creative struggle

Amy Smedberg, University of South Carolina – 101 I

2-2:45 p.m.

Five practices for exemplary student leadership

Amy Smedberg, University of South Carolina, Noah Iverson, Wando High School – 101 I