Chris Waugaman, adviser of Royals Media at Prince George High School in Petersberg, VA, was named one of the Elizabeth B. Dickey Distinguished Service Award winners at the annual Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA) convention in Columbia, SC, on Saturday, February 28.

According to the SIPA website, this award “recognizes advisers, teachers and friends of scholastic journalism who have contributed extraordinary amounts of time, talent and energy to SIPA. Recipients usually have at least seven years’ experience advising a school publication; influence beyond the walls of the school in state, regional and national press associations; award-winning publications; and convention leadership.”

Unable to attend the luncheon due to the recent inclement weather, Waugaman was notified of his achievement via Facebook Messenger: