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Greensboro, NC - The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) awarded its highest honors during the annual Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony on March 6, 2026, at the Guilford County Schools Community Education Center in Greensboro.
NCSPRA presented Blue Ribbon Awards to 35 school districts for their outstanding communication and public relations during 2025. NCSPRA also presented eight Best of the Best awards to the districts that displayed the most outstanding work in each category and awarded the organization’s School Communicator of the Year award. This year, the Barry Gaskins Service Award was also given out.
The Blue Ribbon Awards are the highest honor presented by NCSPRA to school districts. The awards are given for outstanding communication in eight categories:
Strategic Communications
Digital Media Engagement
Electronic Media
Excellence in Writing
Publications
Image/Graphic Design
Photography
Special Events/Programs
Individual entries earn either a gold, silver, or bronze level award. Altogether, NCSPRA presented almost 250 Blue Ribbon Awards to the winning districts. To see the full list of winners, please click here. Guilford County Schools was honored with 24 awards, the most of any district. Pitt County Schools received 22 awards, 16 of which were gold, the most at that level. Union County walked away with 21 awards.
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. Pitt County Schools was honored with two Best of the Best Awards.
2025 BEST OF THE BEST WINNERS:
Digital Media Engagement: Durham Public Schools
Electronic Media: Pitt County Schools
Excellence in Writing: Wilson County Schools
Image/Graphic Design: Craven County Schools
Strategic Communications: Guilford County Schools
Photography: Pitt County Schools
Publications (Electronic & Print): Surry County Schools
Special Events/Programs: Cumberland County Schools
Dr. Tracey Helton, NCSPRA President and Chief Communication Officer for Guilford County Schools, presented the awards and said the work of the 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 as districts face an array of challenges in education. 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 winners for their outstanding work as they support students and teachers and promote public education.”
The Georgia School Public Relations Association judged NCSPRA’s 2025 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.”
In addition to the Blue Ribbon Awards and Best of the Best Awards, NCSPRA presented its School Communicator of the Year award to Dr. Lindsay Whitley of Cumberland County Schools and the Barry Gaskins Service Award to Ellen Boyd, APR formerly of Kannapolis City Schools and NCSPRA’s longtime Executive Director.
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.
Whitley was honored for his exceptional commitment to strategic communication and for advancing the field of school PR.
Boyd was named as the 2026-2027 recipient of the Barry Gaskins Service Award for her long career in school communications and her more than five years of service to NCSPRA as Executive Director.
“Ellen Boyd’s leadership has left a lasting mark on NCSPRA," said Helton. “Serving as executive director since 2020, she has guided our organization with heart, vision and an unwavering commitment to strengthening school public relations across North Carolina and beyond. Ellen has long been a constant presence in our chapter throughout her career, and we are incredibly grateful for the dedication she has shown. It is an honor to recognize her as the recipient of the Barry Gaskins Award.”