About NSPRA
Hundreds of Seminar attendees gathered yesterday for the Annual Meeting and Celebration of Achievement, where NSPRA President Heidi Vega, APR, led an energetic and engaging program. The packed event kicked off with a fun, upbeat moment as members of the NSPRA Executive Board made their entrance to personalized walk-up songs. President Vega got the crowd on their feet, encouraging attendees to reflect on their year in school PR.
In her remarks, President Vega highlighted the strength and health of the association—emphasizing record growth, record participation in NSPRA’s awards programs and a thriving national organization.
Andrew Robinson and Gladis Bourdain, co-chairs of the NSPRA 2025 Host Chapter Committee, welcomed attendees to Washington, D.C., and encouraged everyone to “Go-go go see D.C.”
The program continued with recognition of chapters and individuals who achieved excellence over the past year. Sixteen chapters were honored with NSPRA’s prestigious Mark of Distinction for their exemplary efforts in supporting members and advancing the association’s mission.
A record twenty-four NSPRA members earned their Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) since the last National Seminar, who were also recognized:
■ Brooke Allen, APR, Director of Communications, Crown Point Community School Corporation, Indiana
■ Kelly Allen, APR, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Clarkston Community Schools, Michigan
■ Cynthia Angeroth, APR, Director, Communications, Iowa Education for Deaf and Blind, Iowa
■ Randy Barber, APR, Chief Communications Officer, Boulder Valley School District, Colorado
■ Grace Becker, APR, Director of Marketing and Communications, Eden Prairie Schools, Minnesota
■ Bridget Blevins, APR, Administrator of External Relations, Omaha Public Schools, Nebraska
■ Terri Brewer, APR, Director of Public Relations, Tuscaloosa County School System, Alabama
■ Julia Burgos, APR, Chief of School and Community Relations, Alexandria City Public Schools, Virginia
■ Cristina Capretta, APR, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Berea City School, Ohio
■ Conner Dickson, APR, Assistant Program Manager, Capital Region BOCES, New York
■ Ian Dinkins, APR, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, University School of Nashville, Tennessee
■ Monique Dugaw, APR, Executive Director, Communications and Public Engagement, Educational Service District 112, Washington
■ Thomas Gould, Jr., APR, Director of Communications, Howell Public Schools, Michigan
■ Daryl Johnson, APR, Executive Director of Communications, Alexandria City Public Schools, Virginia
■ Rebecca Latham, APR, Chief Communications Officer, Community Consolidated School District 15, Illinois
■ Kate Martin, APR, Director of Marketing and Communications, Bloomington Public Schools, Minnesota
■ Amy Matisek, APR, Director, Communications, Lewis-Palmer School District 38, Colorado
■ Delaina McCormack, APR, Manager, Social Media, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia
■ Sara Meredith, APR, Public Relations Coordinator, Peoria Unified School District, Arizona
■ Sara Myers, APR, Director, Communications, Torrance Unified School District, California
■ Raj Rai, APR, Director, Communications, San Juan Unified School District, California
■ Clarissa Silva, APR, Communications and Multimedia Specialist, Texas City Independent School District, Texas
■ Jessica Stilger, APR, Director of Communications, Berkley School District, Michigan
■ Michelle Valenzuela, APR, Communications Director, Amphitheater Public Schools, Arizona
2024-25 Emerging Leaders honorees were recognized, as were members of the 2024-25 NSPRA Academy, APR Cohort participants, winners of 2025 Golden Achievement and Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards, 2024-25 Superintendents to Watch honorees and Seminar scholarship recipients.
In addition, two NSPRA members were honored with the NSPRA Learning and Liberty Legacy Leaders Recognition. Nominated by the New Jersey School Public Relations Association, Mary Ann McGann was honored for her stellar tenure as the school and community relations coordinator for Westfield Public Schools. McGann retired last month after a decades-long career that also included print and broadcast journalism. Holly McCaw, APR, Director of Communications for Otsego Public Schools, was nominated for the recognition by the Michigan School Public Relations Association in recognition of her exemplary leadership, dedication to the profession, and lasting impact on school public relations in her state.
Attendees also heard from NSPRA President-Elect candidates Derek Duncan, APR, and Kelly Wachel, APR, while Northeast Region Vice President Candidate Monica Lester, APR, and Southwest Region Vice President Candidate Christy McGee, APR, were approved by acclamation of the board and delivered candidate speeches during their respective Region Colleague Connections networking sessions later in the afternoon. Mideast Region Vice President Candidates Cristina Capretta, APR, and Andrew Robinson delivered their candidate speeches during the Mideast Region Colleague Connections. Professional members of NSPRA will be invited to vote on the two candidates for President-Elect in August. Professional members in the Mideast Region will cast their vote at the same time for the contested vice president office.