NSPA & ACP THROUGH THE DECADES

Wisconsin Roots

Central Interscholastic Press Association, which would become National Scholastic Press Association, was organized by William Bleyer (front right), E. Marion Johnson (back right) and H.E. Birdsong (backcenter), all members of the journalism faculty at University of Wisconsin, photographed here in the Badger yearbook.

1921

⊲ WORLDWIDE

1921 DeWitt Wallace founds Reader’s Digest magazine.

1922 Tutankhamun’s tomb is discovered in Egypt.

1924 George and Ira Gershwin compose “Fascinating Rhythm.”

1925 Crossword puzzles become popular.

1926 The Book-ofthe-Month Club enrolls 40,000 in the first year.

1927 Motion pictures synchronize audio and video in theaters.

1928 Walt Disney releases the first Mickey Mouse cartoon.

1929 The Stock Market crash ushers in the Great Depression.

34 SCHOOLS FROM FOUR STATES MEET

School publications experience rapid growth, a postWorld War I development.

On April 22-23, 126 editors and advisers, with 34 schools from four states, gathers in Madison, Wisconsin. Organized by William Bleyer, E. Marion Johnson and H.E. Birdsong at the University of Wisconsin, the meeting lays the foundation for Central Interscholastic Press Association — which would become National Scholastic Press Association

MAGAZINE BEGINS 60-YEAR RUN

Scholastic Editor, the first bulletin published in the United States focused on school journalism and journalists, outlines its guiding principles in the first issue.

“Among the membership of CIPA are a great many publications which are published by small high schools where journalism is not taught as a regular subject and for the editors of these papers and magazines we hope to give valuable summaries of some of the fundamentals of the profession.”

The founder, E. Marion Johnson, is active in its management until 1936. Its first edition offers nuggets of advice — Get names right.

Never betray a confidence, no matter how big the scoop.

Remember you can be both a gentleman and good reporter.

A hyphenated word at the end of the first deck of a headline is a sure sign of a careless editor.

1922

< NEW ORGANIZATION IS NAMED CIPA

A second meeting attracts twice the delegates and three times more schools. Organizational plans are completed, and delegates name the new organization the Central Interscholastic Press Association.

Professor E. Marion Johnson, of the University of Wisconsin, guides the organization, with assistance from other faculty members and journalism students. One of those students, Fred Kildow, would serve as the director and emeritus director for nearly 50 years.

1923

ALL-AMERICAN RATING BEGINS

The All-American critique designation is announced. From First Class-designated publications of each division, the judges select the outstanding publications as “the All-American class.”

FIRST EDITION

The inaugural edition of The Scholastic Editor was the association’s first effort to unify student journalists and journalism teachers across the nation. The typewritten, memographed publication noted for its humble start, it outlined plans for the 1922 contest, with advice as crucial then as it is today — “The time is very short. Mail your entries today.”

1924

Membership Expands To 45 States

“Association founded by 41 schools in 1921 now has 845 members in 45 states” proclaims the Scholastic Editor headline. CIPA membership grows from 63 in 1921.

An Uncertain Future

E. Marion Johnson was appointed chair of the University of Minnesota journalism department and moves to Minneapolis. At the same are no conventions or contests offered in 1926-27. As a result, members had a lot of questions about the organization’s future. A piece by Johnson in the November, 1926, Scholastic Editor acknowledges the questions, but offers few answers. “It will only be a short time before several announcements of real interest to everyone of our readers and the school world in general, will be made,” he said. Ultimately, the organization was renamed the National Scholastic Press Asssociation with its headquarters at the University of Minnesota.

1924 Convention

Approximately 885 delegates, representing 307 publications from 198 schools, gathered in Madison, Wisconsin for the fifth annual convention.

The East was represented by Robert Quick, Newton High School, Newtonville, Massachusetts and the West by Charles Mann, Stadium High School, Tacoma, Washington.

For $1.75, delegates purchased a coupon book that provided admission to convention features including the convention banquet, “vodvil” performances, a carnival ball, “publication criticism” and convention exposition.

“PACE-MAKER” PAPERS

Four scholastic newspapers tied in the All-American contest in 1927 and earned the “Pace-maker” award.

The Southerner, South High School, Minneapolis

South Side Times, South Side High School, Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Red and Black, East Salt Lake City (Utah) High School

Central High News, Central High School, Minneapolis

Top Prize

Recognized as the top award in scholastic and collegiate journalism, the “Pace-maker” was awarded for the first time in 1927 to The Quest magazine from Central High School, Minneapolis. Director E. Marion Johnson presents the silver loving cup to editors Richard Moran and Eleanor Fowler. The top All-American winners were awarded Pacemaker status.