My TIPA recap

I hope you read last week’s issue as, for those unfamiliar with TIPA, it brings some background. For those who didn’t, the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association is the oldest state collegiate press association in the nation and is one of the largest and most-respected collegiate groups in the country, according to its website.

This year, it took place April 9 to 12 in San Marcos.

As every year, the UTRGV Student Media department invited its student assistants to represent the university at TIPA’s annual convention. At it, we got to participate in live contests, going head to head against students from across Texas in 30 categories featuring real-world scenarios.

I participated in the Spanish News Writing and the Copy Editing contests. 

April 9: After an almost-six-hour bus ride, we arrived at our destination.

Our Program Coordinator Jesus Sanchez had told us we were going to eat at Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings because they would donate 20% of its sales to TIPA. I would describe it as a more expensive and spicy Chick-Fil-A. Overall, it was a 7/10; I wish I had ordered something else instead of a regular hot chicken sandwich.

Going back to the hotel for a free evening was great. It gave us (those who took advantage of it) the chance to get the rest we needed for the next day.

April 10: At 8:30 a.m., the convention’s tipoff took place, with awkward icebreakers and interesting conversations with new people. Then, after I took a short coffee break, we competitors in the news event were taken to the Texas State University Police Department, where the officers simulated an event for us to write a story about: a man angry about a parking ticket ran over a student and shot the department’s building. I didn’t know then I would win first place in my contest. Afterward, I attended a couple of conferences.

April 11: At 9:30 a.m., the copy editing competition started. The test was weirdly formatted, so I would love to have received some feedback. At noon, our former Student Media Director Azenett Cornejo was introduced into the Hall of Fame; it was great seeing her work recognized. At 4:30 p.m., Rebeca Salinas (editor-in-chief) and I received a newspaper critique from Donna Pazdera, adviser of El Espejo at Texas A&M-San Antonio. After that, I went to the outlets and bought shoes. Also, binge watching High School Musical 1 and 2 with my peers was the best way to end the day.

April 12: The awards ceremony was super long, but it was worth it considering we won the Director’s Cup: more podium places in the live contests. We left immediately for Buc-ee’s and continued to drive home.

Overall, it was a great experience and, now, I know I can have a career in journalism if this accountant-thing does not work out.