The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) awarded its highest honors during the annual Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony on April 11, 2025. The ceremony took place at the Blue Heron Event Venue in High Point.

NCSPRA presented Blue Ribbon Awards to 35 school districts for their outstanding communication and public relations during 2024. NCSPRA also presented eight Best of the Best awards to the districts that displayed the most outstanding work in each category. In addition, NCSPRA presented its highest individual honor: the School Communicator of the Year award.

The Blue Ribbon Awards are the highest honor presented by NCSPRA to school districts. The awards are given for outstanding communication in eight categories: Marketing, Digital Media Engagement, Electronic Media, Excellence in Writing, Publications, Image/Graphic Design, Photography, and Special Events & Programs. Individual entries earn either a Gold-, Silver-, or Bronze-level award.

Altogether, NCSPRA presented 334 Blue Ribbon Awards to the winning districts. To see the full list of winners, please click here. NCSPRA also honored the top entry in each category with the Best of the Best Award. The eight Best of the Best winners received special recognition for having the most outstanding entry in each category. 

2024 BEST OF THE BEST WINNERS:  

·              Digital Media Engagement: Pender County Schools

·              Excellence in Writing: Orange County Schools

·              Image/Graphic Design: Catawba County Schools

·              Marketing: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

·              Photography: Burke County Schools

·              Publications (Electronic & Print): Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

·              Special Events/Programs: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

·              Electronic Media: Surry County Schools 

Valerie Newton, NCSPRA President and Director of Communication and Family Engagement for Sampson County Schools, said the work of the award winners exemplifies the high standards of the North Carolina School Public Relations Association and the outstanding work of its members. “We are extremely proud of the work being done by NCSPRA members across the state, and the Blue Ribbon Award winners have demonstrated excellence in all facets of communication. Their expertise and professionalism in the field of communication highlight the superior work being done by North Carolina public schools, and their accomplishments deserve recognition. I congratulate all of our winners for the outstanding work they do to support students and teachers and promote public education.”   

The Georgia School Public Relations Association judged NCSPRA’s 2024 Blue Ribbon entries. The judges praised the work of North Carolina’s school communicators as “a model of excellent communication” and “an exceptional showcase of the incredible work that students and districts are doing.”  

SCHOOL COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

In addition to the Blue Ribbon Awards and Best of the Best Awards, NCSPRA presented its School Communicator of the Year award to Tahira Stalberte, APR of Union County Public Schools. 

The School Communicator of the Year award recognizes one NCSPRA member each year for excellence in the field of school communications. Candidates are nominated by NCSPRA members and are evaluated based on outstanding performance in the areas of Leadership, Communication, Professionalism, and Community Involvement. More information about the SCOY Award and Tahira Stalberte, APR can be found here. 

NCSPRA is a statewide professional organization serving more than 190 members. Its mission is to build support for public education through well-planned and responsible public relations. For more information, please visit ncspra.org.

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