2024 School Communicator of the Year Award Finalists

Press Release
Contact:
Sarah Loughlin, Communications Manager
National School Public Relations Association
301-519-1221 I sloughlin@nspra.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES
FINALISTS FOR INAUGURAL NATIONAL SCHOOL COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Twenty-seven school communication leaders were nominated by their state/regional chapter of NSPRA for the honor.

ROCKVILLE, MD. (May 1, 2024) – The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), representing more than 2,900 school communicators nationwide, is pleased to announce the following four school communication professionals as finalists for its 2024 School Communicator of the Year Award:

“Each of the four finalists exemplifies what it means to be a leader in school communications,” said NSPRA President Trent Allen, APR. “Their tireless work on behalf of their students and school communities is inspiring.”

Presented in partnership with Finalsite, the award is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership and contributions of active, front-line school communicators. Presented for the first time in 2024, the winner of the award will be announced at the NSPRA 2024 National Seminar during the first General Session on Monday, July 15, in Bellevue, Wash.

A total of 27 NSPRA members were nominated by their state/regional chapter for the national honor. All nominees were first selected by their chapter as its Communicator of the Year (or similar award equivalent), a criteria of eligibility for the national award.

"Finalsite is proud to partner with NSPRA to recognize the exceptional efforts of school communication professionals," said Finalsite Chief Marketing Officer Risa Engel. "This award underscores the profound impact of their work, shining a light on the innovation, creativity and strategic thinking that define the best in school communications."

All nominees will be invited to be recognized on stage at NSPRA 2024 during the first General Session. The 24 additional school communication professionals nominated for the national award by their state/regional chapter are:

Nicole Anderson

Marketing and Foundation Director

Columbus Public Schools, Columbus, Neb.

Nominated by: Nebraska School Public Relations Association

Randy Barber

Chief Communications Officer

Boulder Valley School District, Boulder, Colo.

Nominated by: Colorado School Public Relations Association

Dane Baxa

Director of Community Relations

Goddard Public Schools, Goddard, Kans.

Nominated by: Kansas School Public Relations Association

Carol Birdsong

Executive Director of Communications

Williamson County Schools, Franklin, Tenn.

Nominated by: Tennessee School Public Relations Association

Kevin Christian, APR

Director of Public Relations

Marion County Public Schools, Ocala, Fla.

Nominated by: Sunshine State (Fla.) School Public Relations Association

Barbara Clymer

Communication Coordinator

Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, Pa.

Nominated by: Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association

Heather Daniel

Director of Communications and Policy

Edison Township Public Schools, Edison, N.J.

Nominated by: New Jersey School Public Relations Association

Cassie Dietrich

Public Information Officer

Dublin City Schools, Dublin, Ohio

Nominated by: Ohio School Public Relations Association

Sundeep Dosanjh

Chief Communications and

Community Engagement Officer

Rocklin Unified School District, Rocklin, Calif.

Nominated by: California School Public Relations Association

Johnathan Graves

Director of Communications

Greenwood School District 50, Greenwood, S.C.

Nominated by: South Carolina School Public Relations Association

Paul Griser

Assistant Public Relations Coordinator

CiTi BOCES, Mexico, N.Y.

Nominated by: New York School Public Relations Association

Diana Gulotta

Director of Communications

Prince William County Public Schools, Manassas, Va.

Nominated by: Chesapeake School Public Relations Association

Susan Haynes

Communications Director

Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation, Mooresville, Ind.

Nominated by: Indiana School Public Relations Association

John Huddleston

Supervisor of Public Relations

Jefferson County Schools, Birmingham, Ala.

Nominated by: Alabama School Public Relations Association

Melissa Messinger

Chief Communications Officer

Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Evanston, Ill.

Nominated by: Illinois School Public Relations Association

Jessica Morgan

Director of Communications

Sunnyside School District, Sunnyside, Wash.

Nominated by: Washington School Public Relations Association

Micki O'Neil

Chief Communication Officer

Ingham Intermediate School District, Mason, Mich.

Nominated by: Michigan School Public Relations Association

Kayla Ralston

Director of School and Community Relations

Calhoun City Schools, Calhoun, Ga.

Nominated by: Georgia School Public Relations Association

Rochelle Santos

Media and Communications Manager

Framingham Public Schools, Framingham, Mass.

Nominated by: New England School Public Relations Association

Stacy Tapp, APR

Chief of Communication and Community Engagement

Racine Unified School District, Racine, Wisc.

Nominated by: Wisconsin School Public Relations Association

Jackie Tisdell

Public Information Officer

Ascension Public Schools, Donaldsonville, La.

Nominated by: Louisiana School Public Relations Association

Athena Vadnais, APR

Director of Communications and Community Engagement

Gresham-Barlow School District, Gresham, Ore.

Nominated by: Oregon School Public Relations Association

Chris Williams

Communication and Operations Director

Davis School District, Farmington, Utah

Nominated by: Utah School Public Relations Association

About NSPRA

As the leader in school communication, NSPRA serves more than 2,900 members, who work primarily as communication directors in public school districts and education organizations throughout the United States and Canada. NSPRA provides high quality professional development programming through on-demand learning, an annual National Seminar, webinars, online forums and resources. For more information, visit NSPRA’s website at nspra.org.

About Finalsite

Finalsite is the first community relationship management platform built for K-12 schools. The company’s people, products and services transform how schools connect and engage with their community, recruit students and staff, and fundraise; while managing the complex requirements around data privacy, accessibility, hosting and security. Finalsite products and services include award-winning websites, communications tools, mobile app, enrollment management, and marketing services. With a 96 percent retention rate year-over-year, Finalsite is the preferred provider of over 5,000 school districts and 700 NAIS member schools in the U.S. and international schools in 120 countries. Finalsite is headquartered in Glastonbury, Conn. with a global workforce located across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit finalsite.com.


Danielle Airey, APR Chief Communications Officer Peoria Unified School District, Phoenix, Ariz. Nominated by: Arizona School Public Relations Association	Jared Revlett Public Information Officer Owensboro Public Schools, Owensboro, Ky. Nominated by: Kentucky School Public Relations Association


Dirk Tedmon Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Eden Prairie Schools, Eden Prairie, Minn. Nominated by: Minnesota School Public Relations Association	Kelly Wachel, APR Chief Communications Officer Park Hill School District, Kansas City, Mo. Nominated by: Missouri School Public Relations Association

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