Convention
Join us for 2025 SIPA Convention!
SIPA Advisers,
You and your staffs are invited to the 2025 SIPA Convention in Columbia, South Carolina, March 7-9! Join us at the Marriott Columbia and the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications for a weekend of learning and celebrating scholastic media in the Southeast. This year’s theme is Southern Storytelling!
Educational breakout sessions:
Throughout the weekend, students will have the opportunity to learn from one another, veteran advisers, professors, and professionals. The final program of speakers will be finalized in February. Below is a preview of some of talented presenters:
Keynote: Aaron Manfull– Director of Student Media, Francis Howell North High School
Breakout session speakers:
- Jennifer Bartell Boyken, Poet Laureate of Columbia, SC
- Justin Daigle, Vice president, Journalism Education Association
- Brynn Eddy, Editor, Lexington County Chronicle
- Jonathan Falk, Staff Attorney, Student Press Law Center
- Randy Grimes, Film and Media Arts Department Head, Trident Technical College
- Dara Khaalid, Journalist, WTVI PBS Charlotte
- Valerie Kibler, President, Journalism Education Association
- Kailee Kokes, Graphic Designer, Pure Fishing
- Dr. R.J. Morgan, Director, Mississippi Scholastic Press Association
- Makayla Richards, Digital Producer, 11Alive WXIA
- Ann Ricker, Editor, TALK Greenville
- Buck Ryan, Director, Citizen Kentucky Project
- Mark Smith, Director, University of South Carolina Institute for Southern Studies
- Michaela Baker Taylor, Senior Social Media Strategist, University of South Carolina
- Melanie Wilderman, Director, Oklahoma Scholastic Media
Interested in leading a breakout session? Interested students and advisers are invited to submit a session proposal form.
Student activities:
Convention offers student journalists from across the Southeast a unique opportunity to make connections and network with peers. On Friday evening, we will have an ice cream social along with trivia, games, and crafts. Saturday evening features a banquet and karaoke! Student officer elections for the 2025-2026 school year will take place on Saturday. Students interested in running for office should complete the application form.
Optional student experiences:
Pre-convention Workshops | Friday, March 7 1-5 PM
School of Journalism & Mass Communications, University of South Carolina
$20/student
- Studio Photography with Britt Hogg, Instructor, University of South Carolina
- Podcasting 101 with Sarah Lerner, Adviser, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
- Layout Design 101 with Anna Turner, Instructor, University of South Carolina
- Multimedia Journalism with Kelly Furnas, Senior Lecturer, Elon University
- Walking the Walk: Leading by Example
Team On-site competitions | Saturday, March 8 9-4 PM
$10/student
- Literary-Arts Magazine- Limit 3 teams per school. Up to four students per team.
- Newsprint- Limit 3 teams per school. Up to four students per team.
- Yearbook- Limit 3 teams per school. Up to four students per team.
- Online Media- Limit 3 teams per school. Up to four students per team.
- Photography- Limit 3 teams per school. Two students per team.
- Broadcast- Limit 3 teams per school. Two students per team.
Individual On-site competitions | Saturday, March 8 9-4 PM
$10/student
- Anchor Contest- 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.
- Review Writing Contest-
Students learn review writing techniques and write a review on an experience they participate in at the convention. Maximum four entries per school.
Quiz Bowl | Events throughout the weekend
$10/student
Students compete in quiz bowl-style rounds as teams and answer questions about journalism standards, current events, civics, and pop culture. Limit 4 teams per school. Up to four students per team.
Opportunities for advisers:
- Friday, March 7 9:15-10:30 PM: Adviser Meet & Greet
- Saturday, March 8 9-10:30 PM: Adviser Breakfast
- Saturday, March 8 1:30-3:20 PM: Grant writing workshop
- TBD: Journalism Education Association resources info session
Best of Show at SIPA
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 $10 per media.
Registration Information
Early bird pricing before January 15:
Student & adviser registration: $80
Chaperone registration: $50
Pricing before February 1:
Student & adviser registration: $90
Chaperone registration: $50
Hotel Reservations:
All hotel reservations must be made directly with the Marriott Columbia. The cost for rooms is $184.80 per room per night. To reserve rooms at the SIPA block rate, please download and complete the hotel reservation form. Forms must submitted directly to the Marriott. The Marriott contact is Erika Leon.
Flying to Convention:
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is conveniently located 20 minutes from the Marriot Columbia. Charlotte Douglas International, Charleston International, and Greenville-Spartanburg International airports are all about 1.5 hours from Columbia. If you are flying into CAE, please reach out to Amy Smedberg for complimentary shuttle services.
Early Arrival:
The hotel block rate is available starting on Thursday, March 6 if you would like to arrive early. Please contact Amy Smedberg if you are interested in scheduling a University of South Carolina campus tour and/or School of Journalism and Mass Communications visit. Looking to explore Columbia before convention? Here are some of our recommendations of things to do:
- Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
- Columbia Art Museum
- Nickelodeon Theatre
- Congaree National Park
- South Carolina State House
- South Carolina State Museum
- Explore Five Points and The Vista
Registration:
Please complete the online registration form. Following registration, you will receive an invoice from. We have updated and streamlined the registration system this year. Please reach out if you have any questions about the process.
Required forms:
All students will need to submit a behavior contract and photo release form. Advisers may turn in forms at convention check in or email scanned copies to Amy Smedberg.