High school Journalism Staff raises funds for airfare

As the award-winning journalism staff of Buffalo High School begins preparations for this year's yearbook, the students are also readying themselves for the learning experience of a lifetime.

This March, the staff, made up of ten high school students, will travel to Columbia, South Carolina for the Southern Interscholastic Press Association convention and competition to further their knowledge of high school journalism.

"Our staff owes its success to the training we have gotten," says junior Tristan Brewer. "We go to the best conferences and trainings in the state, and now we can go to one of the best conventions/ competitions in the nation."

The SIPA convention is held at the Marriott Hotel and University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Instructors include esteemed journalism professors from around the nation, and attendees include students from fourteen different states, Texas being the westernmost.

"[SIPA is] a great opportunity to have fun and compete against other schools from other states and see how good we're doing," said junior Meredith Shaw.

The journalism program will finance almost all expenses for the students except airfare, which the students hope to offset with their upcoming luncheon and talent show fundraiser.

"I think that the talent show and luncheon is a great idea to raise money for the South Carolina trip," says sophomore Kelsey Fahler. "It involves the community and gives everyone the opportunity to have a great time competing and watching while they support our staff."

The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, January 18 at the high school cafeteria and auditorium. The luncheon, consisting of chili and cowboy stew, will be served at 11:00 a.m. and will be followed by the talent show at 2:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased from any journalism student or at the high school library. Admittance to the talent show costs $5 and a luncheon ticket costs $5. A combination ticket may be purchased for $10.

Community members may enter the talent show for $5 per act. Age divisions include: six and under, seven to ten, eleven to fourteen, and fifteen and higher years old. Trophies will be awarded in each category.

"With everyone's help, the staff is ensured an awesome trip and learning experience," says Fahler.