When Cindy Warner was named the National School Communicator of the Year in 2025, she knew she wanted her platform to be about more than just celebrating successes. She wanted to talk about how school communicators actually survive and thrive in the trenches of school public relations.

When state chapters talk about revitalization, the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA) in Florida has become a model of what’s possible: a chapter that moved from stagnation to statewide influence in just a few years.

This year, 26 outstanding professionals were nominated by their state or regional chapters for this national honor. To be eligible, each nominee was first recognized at the chapter level as a Communicator of the Year or equivalent.

Propelled by strategic guidance of the Executive Board and the dedication of its staff, the National School Public Relations Association made significant strides forward in 2023-24. 

January 2025 Elevation Article: For years, I hammered away, people pleasing my way from project to project with little regard for my limitations and sense of self. And it wasn’t serving the long game.