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35 Under 35


Nomination the 2024-2025 class award will be determined at a later date


35 under 35 logoEvery other year, NSPRA's 35 Under 35 program recognizes professional and professional partner members who are making a difference for their school districts or education-related employers.  Members of previous 35 Under 35 classes have contributed to NSPRA in a variety of ways. Many serve, plan to serve or have served as chapter officers. Some write for NSPRA member publications, present at NSPRA Seminars or participate as panelists for NSPRA professional development webinars. The invaluable insights of these emerging leaders are critical in keeping NSPRA on the forefront of school public relations.

Read the press release announcing members of the 2022-2023 35 Under class.

Congratulations to the 2022-23 “35 Under 35” class,
presented in partnership with Rhodes Branding!

Will Argeros
Multimedia Specialist
Roosevelt School District 
(Phoenix, Ariz.)
From Will's nomination:
"He is hungry and is making a
difference in his school community!"

Ja’Leasa Bolden
Director of Communications
Moss Point (Miss.) 
School District
From Ja’Leasa's nomination:
"Ja'Leasa has an outstanding
record of innovation and motivation."

Olivia Bronczek
Communications Coordinator
Massillon City (Ohio) 
Schools
From Olivia's nomination:
"Olivia's ability to connect with her
community is outstanding."

Collin Brooks
Director of Communications
Johnson City (Tenn.) 
Schools
From Collin's nomination:
"His ideas are thoughtful
and his expertise is exceptional."

Jesse Chatz
Director of Communications
Skokie-Morton Grove (Ill.) 
School District 69
From Jesse's nomination:
"Jesse is an advocate for advancing
educational equity for all students."

Jacqueline Dillard
Director of Communications
Butte County (Calif.) 
Office of Education
From Jacqueline's nomination:
"Her career in school PR will be
aspirational and long-term."

Eshaya Draper
Communications Manager
Middlesex County (N.J.) 
 Magnet Schools
From Eshaya's nomination:
"He is a lifelong learner and his
growth potential is immeasurable!"

Kelly Gordon
Chief Communications Officer
Pattonville School District 
(St. Ann, Mo.)
From Kelly's nomination:
"Kelly is in tune with the community
and the information they need."

Leslee Hackett
Consultant
Goliath Communications 
(Alief, Texas)
From Leslee's nomination:
"An avid learner, Leslee is always
committed to improving her craft."

Jasmine Hager
Internal Communications Specialist
Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) 
Schools
From Jasmine's nomination:
"She is known for her willingness
to help whenever possible."

Christian Justrabo
Communications Specialist
St. Tammany Parish (La.) 
Public School System
From Christian's nomination:
"He's an invaluable asset who can step
into almost any communications role."

Maggie Kelly
Director of Communications 
and Community Engagement
Estacada (Ore.) School District
From Maggie's nomination:
"She has built our communication
program from the ground up."

KincaidAlexandra Kincaid
Public Information 
Office Director
Dayton (Ohio) Public Schools
From Alexandra's nomination:
"Communications under her
leadership has transformed."

Maria Kury
Spanish Communication 
Specialist
Wichita (Kan.) Public Schools
From Maria's nomination:
"Maria embraces the vision that ALL
students are empowered to dream."

Rebecca Latham
Chief Communications Officer
Community Consolidated School 
District 15 (Palatine, Ill.)
From Rebecca's nomination:
"Rebecca is fearless
in her work."

Ashten Latta
Public Relations Manager
South Carolina Whitmore School 
(Columbia, S.C.)
From Ashten's nomination:
"She believes building community
relationships is foundational."

Mandi LeCompte
Communications Manager
Highline Public Schools 
(Burien, Wash.)
From Mandi's nomination:
"Mandi is a multi-disciplinary creative 
who is passionate about equity."

Jessica McCartney
Director of Communications
Enumclaw (Wash.) 
School District
From Jessica's nomination:
"Jessica is a rising
star in school PR!"

Molly McGowan Gorsuch, APR
Director of Client Engagement
Rhodes Branding 
(Columbia, S.C.)
From Molly's nomination:
"Molly sets up communication
departments for success."
Megan Moore
Communications Director
Lexington County (S.C.) 
School District One
From Megan's nomination:
"She is proactive in her
innovative communication efforts."

Iva Petrosino, APR
Director of Communications
Gates Chili Central School District 
(Rochester, N.Y.)
From Iva's nomination:
"Iva consistently demonstrates
leadership and excellence."
Kayla Pologa
Marketing/Partnerships Manager
Deer Valley Unified
School District (Phoenix, Ariz.)
From Kayla's nomination:
"She is respected throughout the
district for her expertise."
Megan Renihan
Communications Coordinator
Batesville (Ark.) School 
District
From Megan's nomination:
"Megan has brought a wave of
change and efficiency."
Emily Reverman
Communications Manager
Salem-Keizer (Ore.) 
Public Schools
From Emily's nomination:
"She has an innate ability to share
stories through student voice."

Josué Reyna
Public Information Director
Menifee (Calif.) Union 
School District
From Josué's nomination:
"He is a leader of leaders,
making our district better."

Mitchell Roush
Director of Communications 
and Marketing
Grand Island (Neb.)
Public Schools
From Mitchell's nomination:
"He believes in amplifying 
student and teacher voices."

Kristin Rozek
School and Community 
Relations Specialist
Green Bay (Wis.) Area
Public Schools
From Kristin's nomination:
"Kristin is detail-oriented
but sees the big picture."

Elishia Seals
 Educational Sales Consultant
Finalsite
From Elishia's nomination:
"Elishia is a future star and
a natural leader."

Eric Steckling
Director of Communications
and Community Relations
Deerfield (Ill.) Public 
Schools District 109
From Eric's nomination:
"Entering the field at the height of
COVID, he rose to the challenge."

Alyssa Teribury
Assistant Program 
Manager
Capital Region BOCES 
(Albany, N.Y.)
From Alyssa's nomination:
"Within a few years, Alyssa has
become a true leader."

Juanita I.C. Traughber, APR
Communications Director
University School 
of Nashville (Tenn.)
From Juanita's nomination:
"Juanita's work shapes
the school's brand."

Anakaren Cárdenas Ureño
Director of Communications 
and Engagement
Laguna Beach (Calif.)
Unified School District
From Anakaren's nomination:
"She has honed her communication
skills with demonstrated results."

Valonia Walker, APR
Chief Communications
Officer
Hempstead
 (Texas)

Independent School District
From Valonia's nomination:
"She is a gifted storyteller
who creates engagement."

Kelsey Webb
Marketing and Public 
Relations Coordinator
Ohio Hi-Point Career Center 
(Bellefontaine, Ohio)
From Kelsey's nomination:
"Kelsey has a forward-thinking
approach to her work."

Paul Weller
Director of Media Services
Central Indiana Educational 
Service Center (Indianapolis, Ind.)
From Paul's nomination:
"His desire to share stories
is inspiring!"

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To be considered for the award, nominees must have:

Nominees must:

  • Be age 35 or younger as of the nomination deadline. 
  • Have worked in school public relations for at least one year.
  • Be a professional or professional partner member of NSPRA.

NSPRA will recognize each honoree with a profile piece in upcoming issues of its monthly Member Memo e-newsletter to association members as well as on its website and social media channels. Honorees will also be recognized at the NSPRA 2023 National Seminar in St. Louis, Mo., in July.

The sixth class of NSPRA's 35 Under 35 program is sponsored by Rhodes Branding.


View a list of previous 35 Under 35 classes here. For more information about this program, please contact NSPRA Communications Specialist Sarah Loughlin at sloughlin@nspra.org or 301-519-1221.