Columbia, SC – The Tega Cay Sun, a local newspaper focused on delivering news to Tega Cay, Fort Mill, and surrounding communities, was recognized for its journalistic excellence by the South Carolina Press Association (SCPA). In its first year of eligibility, the Tega Cay Sun won an impressive seven awards at the SCPA’s 2024 News Contest.
Presented on April 4th at the 2024 News Contest during the Awards Celebration Luncheon in Columbia, SC, the awards represented the best in South Carolina journalism. With over 3,000 entries submitted, the contest showcased a high level of competition.
Founded just under two years ago by Thomas Hyslip and Patrick Byrne, the Tega Cay Sun has quickly established itself as a vital source of local news. It is a small but impactful newspaper that is “hyper focused” on local news. The newspaper operates on a unique “always free to the reader” model, ensuring that news is accessible to everyone, both online and in print.
The Tega Cay Sun’s awards spanned both statewide and divisional categories, showcasing their strength in various aspects of journalism. Notably, the Tega Cay Sun competed in the “All Weekly Division” categories, going up against much larger newsrooms and publications across the state.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by the South Carolina Press Association in just our first year of eligibility,” said Thomas Hyslip, co-founder of the Tega Cay Sun. “These awards are a reflection of our deep commitment to local journalism and the belief that every community deserves access to free, quality, reliable news—without a paywall.”
Co-founder Patrick Byrne added, “From day one, we’ve been proud to deliver impactful, community-focused reporting that’s always free to our readers, both online and in print. Winning two awards in the highly competitive All Weekly Division, against much larger publications, reinforces the importance and impact of truly local journalism.”
Here is a breakdown of the awards won:
All Weekly Division
- Education Beat Reporting: First Place was awarded to Thomas Hyslip for “Fort Mill School District” coverage. This was a significant win, with Hyslip taking first place in a category that included all weekly newspapers in South Carolina, regardless of size. You can see the coverage here.
- Election/Political Coverage: Third Place was awarded to Thomas Hyslip and Patrick Byrne. In 2024, the Tega Cay Sun published an impressive 51 articles focused on state and local elections, providing comprehensive coverage that enriched civic participation in the community. See the Sun’s coverage here.
Division F (Small Weekly and Monthly newspapers)
- Lifestyle Feature Writing: First Place was awarded to Patrick Byrne for “Non Profit Named After 19 Month Old Child Keeps Her Legacy Alive.”
- Column Writing: First Place was awarded to Thomas Hyslip for “Dr. Tom’s Cyber Bits & Tips.“
- Inside Page Design: Second Place was awarded to Thomas Hyslip and Patrick Byrne for the March 2024 inside page design.
- Reporting-in-Depth: Third Place was awarded to Thomas Hyslip for “York County Campaign Finances” coverage. The Winning articles are:
- Lifestyle Feature Writing: Third Place was awarded to Thomas Hyslip for “Tega Cay Teen Claire Collins Captures U.S. Kids Golf Foundation South Carolina Spring Tour Title.”
These awards reflect the Tega Cay Sun’s commitment to high-quality journalism and community-focused reporting. Winning in the “All Weekly Division” against larger publications further underscores the newspaper’s ability to compete at a high level.
As the Tega Cay Sun continues to grow, its dedication to local coverage remains at the forefront. The recognition from the SCPA serves as a milestone in its mission to deliver accessible, impactful journalism to the community.
