Awards & Recognition
School Communicators - Earn the Recognition You and Your District Deserve
MSPRA Communications Contest
The MSPRA Communications Contest recognizes and promotes quality school district communications in Michigan. After much deliberation, the MSPRA Executive Board has made its decisions on the winners of the 2011 Communications Contest. With a total of 68 entries this year, the competition was fierce.
Our judges, comprised of both MSPRA members and non-members with public relations expertise, were faced with difficult decisions, but graded each entrant across a variety of categories to determine the following lists of distinguished and commendable winners. Distinguished contestants were those who received a 95 percent or higher on our scale; commendable received 90-95 percent on their entries.
Distinguished
Project or Program
- Vivian Constand, Utica Public Schools, “It All Starts Here”
- Allison Kaufman, Kent ISD, “KCTC Goes Green”
- Tommy Cameron, Jackson County ISD, “Camp McGregor”
- Julie Ferguson, Oakland Schools, “Teacher of the Year Program”
Publications
- Stephanie Hoekenga, Muskegon Area Career Tech Center, Main Brochure for Career Technical Programs
- Lori Spencer, L'Anse Creuse Public Schools, Elementary Student/Parent Handbook
- Stephanie Hoekenga, Muskegon Area Career Tech Center, Individual Program Brochures
E-Newsletter
- Anne Cron, Birmingham Public Schools, “The Scanner” Newsletter
- Alison Arnold, Traverse City Public Schools, “Late News”
- Kyle Herm, Portage Public Schools, “The Portage Connection”
Website
- Holly McCaw, Otsego Public Schools, Otsego Public Schools Website
Photography
- Marian Vassallo, Birmingham Public Schools, “Take A Look”
Video
- Holly McCaw, Ostego Public Schools, Jumpstart Program
- Dennis Threadgill, Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Campus Life Videos
Commendable
Project or Program
- Dianne Litzenburger, Char-Em ISD, “Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come”
- Diane Bauman, Farmington Public Schools, International Baccalaureate Program
- Katie McClintic, Kent ISD, “Healthy Sciences” Brochure
Publications
- Lori Spencer, L'Anse Creuse Public Schools, “Kindergarten Core Curriculum Outline”
- Cindy Lyons, Jackson Area Career Center, Career Center Annual Brochure
- Anne Cron, Birmingham Public Schools, “In Focus” Newsletter
Non PA 25 Annual Report
- Allison Kaufman & Katie McClintic, Kent ISD, Annual Report
- Diane Bauman, Farmington Public Schools, Annual Report
E-Newsletter
- Diane Bauman, Farmington Public Schools, “Farmington”
- Christine Finger, Kalamazoo RESA, “Kalamazoo RESA Focus”
Website
- Karen Heath, Berrien RESA, Berrien RESA website
- Julie Griswold, Jackson County ISD, Jackson County ISD website
Electronic & Interactive Media
- Molli Templin, Portage Public Schools, “Sounds of the District”
Writing
- Stephanie Hoekenga, Muskegon Area Career Tech Center, “The Link” articles
Individual PA 25 Report
- Marian Vassallo, Birmingham Public Schools, Pembroke School Annual Report - Elementary
Photography
- Marian Vassallo, Birmingham Public Schools, “Now That's a Story”
Video
- Karen Heath, Berrien RESA Blossom Land Learning Center, “I can do it…can you?”
- Daniel Parente, Birmingham Public Schools, “BPS eNews Student Highlights”
- Cindy Lyons, Jackson County ISD, Career Center Video
MSPRA 2011 Gold Medallion Award
MSPRA's Gold Medallion Awards recognize outstanding programs or projects that advance responsible school communications. Entries may come from public and private schools, education groups, regional MSPRA groups, and any public relations agency or private business serving such education entities.
- Tommy Cameron, Jackson ISD, "Most Teens Don't"
MSPRA 2011 OUTSTANDING Superintendent COMMUNICATOR award
This award from the Michigan School Public Relations Association annually recognizes a practicing superintendent of schools or CEO of an education agency, service center, or intermediate unit for outstanding leadership in school public relations and communications.
- Keith Wunderlich, New Haven Community Schools
Thank You
MSPRA would like to give a special thanks to the judges who worked tirelessly to determine the overall quality of each and every entry received. We would also like to thank all contestants for their participation and wish congratulations to those who placed in this year’s competition.
