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Press Release Contact: Sarah Loughlin, Communications Manager National School Public Relations Association 301-519-1221 I sloughlin@nspra.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NINE SCHOOL DISTRICTS/EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS EARN TOP SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
Winners of NSPRA's top competition recognizing superior school public relations programs and campaigns were selected from among a record number of entries submitted.
ROCKVILLE, MD. (June 12, 2024) – The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) is pleased to announce that eight Gold Medallion winners representing nine school districts and education organizations were selected from among 87 entries submitted by school communication professionals from across the United States and Canada. NSPRA’s Gold Medallion Awards program is the field's top competition that recognizes superior educational public relations programs and campaigns grounded in strategic communication best practices.
Entries were submitted in six categories, but only four of those categories had a winner. The following school districts/education organizations and their communications staff were named a 2024 NSPRA Gold Medallion recipient:
Bond/Finance Campaign
Battle Ground Public Schools Capital Levy Battle Ground Public Schools Battle Ground, Wash. Submitted by: Amanda Richter, APR, Director of Communications and Community Engagement; Jenna Buescher-Hill, Communications Specialist; and Chris Brown, Communications Specialist
Every Vote Matters Papillion La Vista Community Schools Papillion, Neb. Submitted by: Annette Eyman, APR, Director of Communications (retired); Chantelle Green, Communications Specialist; Tyler Cronin, Communications Specialist; and Stephanie Scheller, Administrative Assistant
Using Research & Strategy for 17 Funding Campaigns to Achieve a 94% Success Rate Educational Service District 112 Vancouver, Wash. Submitted by: Monique Dugaw Greenwell, Executive Director of Communications and Public Engagement; Melissa Burt, Senior Graphic Designer and Content Strategist; Justine Hanrahan, Communications Manager; Mika Yoshida, Assistant Director; Heidi Barnes, Director of Creative and Web Development; Fred Gunnerson, Junior Graphic and WordPress Designer; and Xander Hayes, TV ETC Coordinator and Video Services
Comprehensive, Strategic, Year-Round Communication Program
Empowering and Inspiring Excellence: The Path Forward Strategic Plan Shelby County School District Columbiana, Ala. Submitted by: Cindy Warner, APR, Public Relations and Community Education Supervisor and Dr. Lewis Brooks, Superintendent
Marketing Communication Campaign
Transporting Students to Success Peoria Unified School District Glendale, Ariz. Submitted by: Danielle Airey, APR, Chief Communications Officer; Erin Dunsey, APR, Communications Manager; Sara Meredith, Communications Coordinator; Angela Toale, Communications Coordinator; Natalie Zinovyev, Graphic Designer; and David Collie, Media Production Specialist
Discovering #ThePowerOfChoice Dublin City Schools Dublin, Ga. Submitted by: Ashley-Michelle Thublin, APR, Director of Strategic and Crisis Communications
Special Communication Project / Campaign
UNITE for Education Tuscaloosa County School System and Tuscaloosa City Schools Tuscaloosa, Ala. Submitted by: Terri Brewer, Director of Public Relations at Tuscaloosa County School System and Lydia Avant, Director of Public Relations at Tuscaloosa City Schools
"Belonging Begins Here" Attendance Campaign Beaverton School District Beaverton, Ore. Submitted by: Shellie Bailey-Shah, Public Communications Officer; Tim Hurtt, District Videographer; Melissa Larson, Communication Specialist; Gabby Urenda, Communication Specialist; Sean Van, District Graphic Designer; and Kara Yunck, Communication Coordinator
"The winning submissions this year showcase the best-of-the-best school communication plans," stated Barbara M. Hunter, APR, Executive Director of NSPRA. "Each one exemplifies a deep understanding of strategic communication best practices and has made a genuine, positive impact on their communities."
Gold Medallion winners will be honored during the NSPRA President Installation and Gold Medallion Awards Ceremony Luncheon at the NSPRA 2024 National Seminar on Wednesday, July 17, from 12 - 2 p.m. PT at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, Wash.
Links to each of the winning entries can be accessed on the NSPRA website at www.nspra.org/gold-medallion-24.
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 www.nspra.org.
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