Golden Achievement Award

The Golden Achievement Award recognizes exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing and engagement. Each entry is judged individually against the contest criteria - not against other entries - and judges select as many winners as meet the award criteria.

2021 Golden Achievement Award Winners

  • Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, Colo.
    Onward
    Joe Ferdani, APR, Chief Communications Officer
  • Ascension Public Schools, Donaldsonville, La.
    Ascension Public Schools Teacher Recruitment Campaign
    Jackie Tisdell, Public Information Officer
  • Capital Region BOCES, Albany, N.Y.
    Essential Ed 2.0: Relaunching and Rapid Deployment of Resources
    Jessica Scheckton, Assistant Director of Communications
  • Capital Region BOCES, Albany, N.Y. 
    Summer Adventure: Engaging Young Learners During a Stay-at-Home Summer
    Jessica Scheckton, Assistant Director of Communications
  • Capital Region BOCES, Albany, N.Y.
    Roadmap to Reopening: Communicating the “New Normal” to Operate Schools During COVID-19
    Jessica Scheckton, Assistant Director of Communications
  • Capital Region BOCES, Albany, N.Y.
    Mailing It In: Engaging School Communities in an Absentee-Ballot-Only School Budget Vote
    Jessica Scheckton, Assistant Director of Communications
  • Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES, Olean, N.Y.
    CA BOCES CTE Career Exploration Campaign
    Jessica Golley, Marketing, Brand & Communication Coordinator
  • Cedar Rapids Community School District, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Disaster Strikes - CRCSD Crisis Communication
    Colleen Scholer, Director of Communications
  • CESA 10, Chippewa Falls, Wisc.
    Engineering Opportunities for the Spooner Area School District
    Angie Sommers, Marketing Strategist
  • CESA 7, Green Bay, Wisc.
    This is CESA 7
    Dean Leisgang, Director of Communications
  • Cherokee County School District, Canton, Ga.
    Crisis Communications: CCSD Pandemic Response
    Barbara Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer
  • Chester County Intermediate Unit, Downingtown, Pa.
    CCIU Vaccine Advocacy Campaign
    Mary Curley, Director of Communications & Learning Solutions
  • CiTi BOCES, Mexico, N.Y.
    CiTi COVID-19 Communications Plan
    Naomi Himes, Public Relations Coordinator and the CiTi Public Relations Team
  • Columbia Public Schools, Columbia, Mo.
    PR Education TV/video/podcasting programs
    Aurora Meyer, APR,  Communication Manager
  • Columbia Public Schools, Columbia, Mo.
    District Financial Aid and Budget Transparency Columbia Public Schools Communicates District Financial and Budget Information  to Better Engage Stakeholders
    Aurora Meyer, APR, Communication Manager
  • Columbia Public Schools, Columbia, Mo. 
    Fast-Tracked  Digital Learning Initiatives   A Global Pandemic Gives Columbia Public Schools the Opportunity to Implement the 1:1 Technology Initiative Across the District.
    Aurora Meyer, APR, Communication Manager
  • Columbia Public Schools, Columbia, Mo.
    Outreach During a Time of Pandemic 
    Aurora Meyer, APR, Communication Manager
  • Cumberland County Schools, Fayetteville, N.C. 
    Excellence in Teaching: Rising to the Challenge ~ 2021 Teacher & Beginning Teacher of the Year Virtual Celebration
    Lindsay Whitley, Associate Superintendent of Communications & Community Engagement
  • Cumberland County Schools, Fayetteville, N.C. 
    Cumberland Family Academy
    Lindsay Whitley, Associate Superintendent of Communications & Community Engagement
  • Department of Defense Education Activity, Alexandria, Va.
    Returning to School in a COVID-19 Environment
    Miranda Ferguson, Public Affairs Officer
  • Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District, Roseville, Calif.
    COVID-19 School Reopening Guidebook
    Gina Nielsen, Chief Communications Officer
  • Duluth (Minn.)  Public Schools ISD 709
    We Can, Northland
    Katie Kaufman, Communications Coordinator
  • Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, Fla.
    People and Persistence Prevail Over Politics
    Tracy Pierce, Chief Communications Officer
  • Fridley Public Schools, Fridley, Minn.
    Fridley Public Schools 20for20 Senior Salute
    Sarah Burghardt, Communications Specialist
  • Fridley Public Schools, Fridley, Minn.
    Fridley Public Schools COVID-19 Communications
    Jael McLemore, Director of Communications
  • Fridley Public Schools, Fridley, Minn.
    Fridley Public Schools Capital Projects Levy
    Jael McLemore, Director of Communications; Sarah Burghardt, Communications Specialist; David Webber, Communications Specialist
  • Garland (Texas) Independent School District 
    20th Annual Employee Giving Campaign
    Caren Rodriguez, Communications Coordinator
  • Gaston County Schools, Gastonia, N.C.
    Billboards Marketing Campaign
    Todd Hagans, Chief Communications Officer
  • Gaston County Schools, Gastonia, N.C.
    Newspapers in Education (NIE) Campaign
    Todd Hagans, Chief Communications Officer
  • Glens Falls (N.Y.) City Schools
    Glens Falls City Schools COVID-19 Communications
    Skye Heritage, Communications Director
  • Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, N.C.
    Celebration of Excellence
    Nora Shoptaw, APR, Program Administrator of Communications
  • Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, N.C.
    We See You GCS
    Nora Shoptaw, APR,  Program Administrator of Communications
  • Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, N.C. 
    Drive-Thru Graduation Recognitions
    Janson Silvers, Media Relations Program Administrator
  • Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, N.C.
    Proactive Media Relations
    Janson Silvers, Media Relations Program Administrator
  • Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, N.C. 
    GPA Tech Tuesdays & Thursdays: Live Canvas Help for Title I Parents and Caregivers
    Wanda Edwards, Director of Communication
  • Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, N.C.
    GPA Encourages Heart Love During American Heart Month
    Wanda Edwards, Director of Communication
  • Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, N.C.
    Reopening Plan
    Nora Shoptaw, APR,  Program Administrator of Communications
  • Hamilton County Schools, Chattanooga, Tenn.
    Reopening School in a Global Pandemic
    Cody Patterson, Communications Officer
  • Hernando County School District, Brooksville, Fla. 
    Against All Odds - Hernando' s Referendum 2020
    Karen Jordan, Public Information Officer
  • Hernando County School District, Brooksville, Fla.
    Against All Odds
    Karen Jordan, Public Information Officer
  • Highline Public Schools, Burien, Wash.
    Highline Tech Levy
    Catherine Carbone Rogers, APR,  Chief Communications Officer
  • Highline Public Schools, Burien, Wash.
    Spring 2020 COVID Communications
    Catherine Carbone Rogers, APR, Chief Communications Officer
  • Katy (Texas) Independent School District 
    Katy ISD: COVID-19 & Smart Restart
    Andrea Grooms, APR, Chief Communications Officer, Maria Dipetta, Manager, Media Relations and Multimedia  and  Renie Deanda , Director of Communications 
  • Kenosha (Wisc.) Unified School District
    Return 2020
    Tanya Ruder, Chief Communications Officer
  • Kyrene School District, Temple, Ariz.
    Safe Return to School
    Erin Helm, Director of Communications & Marketing
  • Lexington (S.C.) County School District One
    COVID-19 Communications
    Kathryn McPhail, Communications Director
  • Lockport (Ill.) Township High School
    Lockport Township High School Communication Program
    Janine Wheeler, Public Relations Director
  • Maine Township High School District 207, Park Ridge, Ill.
    COVID-19 Relief Efforts: Helping Those Most in Need
    Brett Clark, APR, Director of Communications
  • Marion County Public Schools, Ocala, Fla.
    Netiquette Video
    Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Public Relations Director
  • Mesa (Ariz.) Public Schools
    Safe.Strong.Ready. communications campaign
    Heidi Hurst, Director, Communications & Engagement
  • Minnetonka (Minn.) Public Schools
    School Board Recognitions Program
    Mary Cornelius, Communications Specialist  and Andy Smith, Audio/Visual Specialist and Sue Ryan, Communications Assistant
  • Mobile (Ala.) County Public Schools
    mcpssTV LIVE Lessons
    Rena Philips, Director of Communication
  • Mount Prospect (Ill.) District 57
    Educating the Public and Building Excitement Around New Superintendent Announcement
    Jenny Kustra-Quinn, Communications Consultant
  • NCSPRA, Davidson, N.C.
    Spring Professional Development Series
    Ellen Boyd, APR, Executive Director
  • Newburgh (N.Y.) Enlarged City School District
    COVID-19 Communications: A Year in Review
    Cassie Sklarz, APR, Communications Strategist
  • Northshore School District, Bothell, Wash.
    Northshore Learns 3.0
    Lisa Youngblood Hall, Chief Communications & Experience Officer, Megan Bernicchi, Assistant Director of Equity Pedagogy, Natalie Campbell, Partnerships and Volunteer Coordinator,  Alex Clark, Digital Communications & Accessibility Specialist,   Juliana Fisher, Nutrition Services Director, Sarah Lawrence, User Services Manager, Toby Normoyle, School Technology Specialist, Shelby Reynolds, Assistant Director, Instructional Technology and Library Services and Christina Wilner,  Assistant Director Of Communications 
  • Oakland Schools, Waterford, Mich.
    Educationally Speaking podcast
    Sarah Davis, Communications Specialist
  • Omaha (Neb.) Public Schools
    Omaha Public Schools - Responsible Return to School
    Jeremy Maskel, Executive Director, District Communications and External Relations
  • Orange County Schools, Hillsborough, N.C.
    Equity Warriors
    Melany Stowe, PIO
  • Orange County Schools, Hillsborough, N.C
    Family Liaisons
    Melany Stowe, PIO
  • Peoria Unified School District, Glendale, Ariz.
    I Got My Shot
    Danielle Airey, Chief Communications Officer
  • Peoria Unified School District, Glendale, Ariz.
    Be the Difference
    Danielle Airey, Chief Communications Officer
  • Peoria Unified School District, Glendale, Arizona
    One Busy Ballot
    Danielle Airey, Chief Communications Officer
  • Pulaski County Special School District, Little Rock, Ark.
    Roadmap to Reopening
    Jessica Duff, Exec Director of Communications
  • Questar BOCES, Castleton, N.Y.
    Working Together to Reopen and Sustain In-Person Learning
    Dan Sherman, Director of Communications
  • Racine (Wisc.) Unified School District
    Campaigning Through COVID: RUSD Referendum. Every Student. Every School. Flat Tax Rate.
    Stacy Tapp, APR, Chief of Communication & Community Engagement
  • San Antonio (Texas) Independent School District, San Antonio, Texas
    San Antonio ISD Family Power Hour
    Elsa Pennell, Director, Family & Community Engagement
  • San Diego (Calif.) County Office of Education, San Diego, California
    Thanksgiving Food Drive Parade
    Stacy Brandt, APR, Communications Specialist and Nicole Shina, Special Programs Assistant 
  • School District of Clayton, Mo.
    Diversity Recruitment Fair Campaign
    Chris Tennill, APR,  Chief Communications Officer
  • School District of Clayton, Clayton, Mo.
    Black History Is Essential Video Campaign
    Chris Tennill, APR,  Chief Communications Officer
  • School District of Manatee County, Bradenton, Fla.
    Mask Up Manatee
    Michael Barber, Communications Director
  • Shawnee Mission School District, Overland Park, Kan.
    SMSD Strong: Strong Schools, Strong Communities Bond Referendum
    Kristin Babcock, Communications Coordinator
  • Shawnee Mission School District, Overland Park, Kan.
    Virtual Education Foundation Fall Breakfast
    Kristin Babcock, Communications Coordinator
  • Shawnee Mission School District, Overland Park, Kan.
    Districtwide Quarterly Art Show
    Kristin Babcock, Communications Coordinator
  • Socorro Independent School District, El Paso, Texas
    Socorro ISD COVID-19 Communication Campaign
    Daniel Escobar, Chief Communications Officer
  • Socorro Independent School District, El Paso, Texas
    2020 Socorro ISD Teacher of the Year Virtual Announcement
    Daniel Escobar, Chief Communications Officer
  • Socorro Independent School District, El Paso, Texas
    2020 Team SISD Graduation in the Time of COVID
    Daniel Escobar, Chief Communications Officer
  • Spring Branch Independent School District, Houston, Texas
    Visioning for the Future
    Lexi Marshall, Assistant Director of Communications, Linda Buchman, Associate Superintendent for Communications & Community Engagement and Abby Walker, Coordinator for Strategic Partnerships and Volunteer Programs
  • St. Vrain Valley Schools, Longmont, Colo.
    We are #greatFULL
    Kerri McDermid, Chief Communications and Global Impact Officer
  • St. Vrain Valley Schools, Longmont, Colo.
    Our Schools, Our Community: A Grassroots Initiative to Change the Narrative of Public Education in Colorado
    Kerri McDermid, Chief Communications and Global Impact Officer
  • Stamford (Conn.) Public Schools
    SPS 3 Rs Response to COVID-19: Rapid Resolved Resolute
    Sharon Beadle, Public Affairs Officer
  • Waterford School District, Waterford Township, Michigan
    Waterford School District Virtual Orientations
    Kelly Allen, Directory of Communications and Community Relations
  • Wichita (Kan.) Public Schools
    Our Collective Crisis
    Suzy Finn, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships Supervisor and Wendy Johnson,  Division Director, Strategic Communications
  • Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, Texas
    OnLine OnTime OnPoint Attendance Campaign
    Monica Bustillos, Director of District Affairs, Diana Mooy,  Pupil and Parent Services Coordinator  and James Vasquez, Director of Pupil & Parent Services

 

Previous years' winners:

Membership

Find out more about the benefits of becoming a member of NSPRA!

Social Media

Connect with us!

TwitterFacebookLinkedinYouTube

Post a Job Opening

Want to post a job? Do it here!

Shopping cart

Your shopping cart is empty.