2019 Blue Ribbon Awards
Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony and Brunch
Make plans to join us for the Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony and brunch on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the O. Henry Hotel, 624 Green Valley Road, Greensboro.
We will gather to bring attention to school districts' award-winning efforts in 2019, announce the “Best of the Best” winners, and present the Barry Gaskins Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to School Public Relations.
Below is attendance information for the ceremony and brunch:
▪ Anyone who is a member of NCSPRA for 2019-2020 may attend the ceremony at no charge, regardless of whether you submitted an entry or won an award.
▪ If your district won a Blue Ribbon Award, your district may bring one guest (a non-NCSPRA member) with you at no charge.
▪ Other guests (non-NCSPRA members) are welcome at a cost of $40 per person. Plan to pay at the door by cash or check.
Please RSVP to Todd Hagans (tthagans@gaston.k12.nc.us) by Monday, January 27 at 5:00 p.m. with a list of people attending from your district.
Blue Ribbon Awards 2019
The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) seeks to promote excellence and professionalism in school communications and public relations through the Blue Ribbon Awards program.
As an NCSPRA member, you are invited to enter the Blue Ribbon Awards. Our program is the most prestigious in the state for recognizing the outstanding work of professionals in the school public relations/communications field.
Eligibility
The Blue Ribbon Awards program is open to North Carolina school districts and affiliate organizations that have a 2019-2020 NCSPRA membership.
Entry Period
Entries must have been completed between November 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019.
Entry Fee
A $35.00 fee and completed entry form must accompany each entry. An entry without the $35.00 fee will not be judged. If you are paying by check, make it payable to NCSPRA and send to NCSPRA Blue Ribbon Awards, P.O. Box 206, Ashburn, VA 20146.
Judging
The Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA) Board of Directors will judge the Blue Ribbon Awards program.
Presentation of Awards
The awards will be presented during the Blue Ribbon Brunch on Friday, January 31, 2020 at the O. Henry Hotel in Greensboro.
Submitting Entries
New this year, all submissions will be accepted online using Google Drive. No entries will be accepted by mail or e-mail. NCSPRA members may submit as many entries in each category as they wish. An entry may not be submitted in more than one category. To accommodate the judging process, each entry should be submitted separately – a completed entry form must accompany the entry.
The submission portal closed on December 11 at 5:00 p.m.
Typically, entries should be submitted as a PDF. For electronic media entries, you may upload the video file or a PDF that has a website link or YouTube link to the video. Please consider compressing a file that is very large.
Scoring and Awards
Scoring for each entry is based on a 100-point scale. The judges use a standard scoring rubric for each entry. Click here for the scoring rubric. There are three award levels:
Gold Award 90-100 points
Silver Award 80-89 points
Bronze Award 70-79 points
Entries with a score below 70 do not receive an award. There is no limit to the number of awards given per category.
‘Best of the Best’ Award: A ‘Best of the Best’ Award is given for the most outstanding entry in each category. The Gold Award winners in each category will be eligible for the category’s ‘Best of the Best’ Award. The judges will select one ‘Best of the Best’ winner per category. If a category does not have at least one Gold Award winner, a ‘Best of the Best’ Award will not be given for the category.
Deadline for Entries
All entries (with the entry fee and completed entry form) must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2019. Entries received after the deadline will not be judged.
Click here for a list of last year's Blue Ribbon Award winners.
Award Categories
Digital Media Engagement
Submit a single entry or a series of no more than three entries that illustrates the effective use of a website, mobile app, blog, or social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) to engage an audience for a specific purpose. Include the address for the website, blog, or social media account, instructions about how to download the mobile app, or screen prints of social media posts/comments for judging.
Electronic Media
Submit a single video or audio program or series of no more than three related programs. The video file(s) may be uploaded into the submission portal or you may provide the website address or YouTube link to access online. Indicate time length for each entry. Please note that if the judges cannot view or hear the entry because of a technical issue, it will not be judged.
Excellence in Writing
Submit a single article or a series of no more than three articles related to a specific topic; “articles” include press releases, stories/messages from newsletters and other publications, written material for a website, newspaper opinion pieces/columns, speeches, etc. Entries should be a minimum of 300 words and not exceed 5,000 words. Articles included in another award entry may not be entered in this category.
Image/Graphic Design
Submit a single entry or a series of no more than three entries related to a specific topic that illustrates the effective use of graphic design to enhance the image of a school or school district. Entries may include logos, stationery, website pages, promotional items, and other graphic design pieces. Items included in another award entry may not be entered in this category.
Marketing
Submit a marketing or communications plan and as many as four additional pieces (printed/electronic materials, videos, pictures, graphics, promotional items, etc.) that illustrate a comprehensive marketing campaign for a school or school district. Entries may include a bond referendum, school-wide or district-wide initiative, community/parent involvement program, student/employee recognition program, year-long anniversary celebration, etc. An entry in this category is multi-faceted and encompasses more than a single special event or program.
Photography
Submit a single photo or a series of no more than five photos related to a specific topic along with a website address, tear sheet, original publication, photocopied document, etc. to show how the photo(s) were used. Only NCSPRA members’ work may be submitted. Photos included in another award entry may not be entered in this category.
Publications (Print and Electronic)
Submit print publications (as a PDF) or electronic publications (with web link) of newsletters (include two or three issues), handbooks, calendars, annual reports, posters, brochures, booklets, magazines, etc.
Special Events and Programs
Submit as many as five pieces (agenda, program, pictures, graphics, script, etc.) that illustrate a single special event or program. Entries may include recognition activities, banquets, press conferences, ceremonies, dedications, receptions, etc.