Future journalists from A.C. Flora attend conference
Contributed by A.C. Flora High School

Attending the Southern Interscholastic Press Association Convention (SIPA) are front row, Ashley Page, Tori Evans, Hank Davis, and Michael D'Amelio; second row, Jon Casey, Dr. Sandy Mills, Claire O'Boyle; and not pictured Jasmine Johnson,Molly Brenan, and Emily Eisenstadt.

AC Flora High School newspaper and broadcast journalism students attended the Southern Interscholastic Press Association Convention (SIPA) Feb. 29- March 2 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Columbia. These students were representatives of the school's elective classes, Journalism I, Introduction to Journalism; Journalism II, Newspaper, ournalism II, and Broadcast Journalism.

SIPA is a non- profit organization of public schools.

"We were so glad to have newspaper and broadcast students from A.C. Flora at SIPA for the first time," SIPA Director Karen Flowers said. "Under the direction of Dr. Sandy Mills, both programs are improving, and the students seem really excited about finishing this year and getting even more prepared for next.

The theme of the Convention was "Pop Scandal: The Power of the Press," and the convention addressed the current issues involving the mainstream media and pop culture.

The keynote speaker was Sean Daly, a pop culture critic for the St. Petersburg

Times. A former high school journalist, Daly advised the students to write about things they are passionate about. "Love the fact someone is starting their day with your article and a bowl of Fruit Loops. Some writers write for editors or other writers," Daly said. "I hate that! Always write for yourself or at least for your readers."

At the convention, the students participated in journalism workshops including The Britney Beat: (Un)covering popular culture in your publication, Telling a story with audio, Broadcast journalists write too, Writing columns that matter, and Design: Dead or Alive, and pre- convention workshops, Final Cut Pro, and Maestro Workshop.