KanSPRA: Kansas School Public Relations Association

KanSPRA Distinguished Service Award

This award recognizes a member who:

• advocates for public education in Kansas through work in the nominee's school district and/or the State of Kansas;
• remains committed to a creative, dedicated and professional approach to school communications;
• is active in the Kansas School Public Relations Association as a member who demonstrates excellent personal communications skills, shares expertise and best-practices with colleagues, and supports and encourages fellow KanSPRA members in their efforts to promote public education.

To be eligible, members must be employed full-time in school public education, communications or public relations for at least five years. The award is presented at the annual state conference.

KanSPRA Distinguished Service Award winners:

• 2008 - Wendy Johnson, APR, Wichita

• 2007- Karen McDermott, APR, Maize

KanSPRA Newcomer of the Year Award

This award recognizes a members who:

• advocates for public education in Kansas through work in the nominee's school district and/or the State of Kansas;
• is committed to a creative, dedicated and professional approach to school communications;
• is active in the Kansas School Public Relations Association as a member who demonstrates excellent personal communications skills, a commitment to being involved in KanSPRA activities, and the desire to accept chapter leadership responsibilities.

To be eligible, members must be employed full-time in the field of public school education, communications and/or public relations for no more than 24 months at the time of the nomination deadline. The award recipient receives a scholarship to attend the NSPRA national seminar, which includes paid registration and $500 in reimbursable conference expenses. The award is presented at the annual state conference.

Newcomer of the Year Award winners:

• 2008 - Michelle Herpich, Service Center at Clearwater

• 2007 - Kristin Magette, Eudora

Communicator of the Year (Inactive Award)

This award recognized principals, superintendents or other administrators who were outstanding in the field of school communications. Recipients were nominated by KanSPRA members.

Communicator of the Year Award Winners:

• 2002: Andy Tompkins, KSDE Topeka
• 2001: John Heim, Emporia
• 2000: David Benson, Blue Valley
• 1999: Marilyn Layman, De Soto
• 1998: Ron Wimmer, Olate
• 1997: Mary Devin, Geary County
• 1996: Dale Dennis, KSDE Topeka
• 1995: Kay Highbarger, El Dorado
• 1994: Elizabeth Baker, Derby
• 1993: Gerald Henderson, USA Topeka
• 1992: Melva Owens, Derby
• 1991: Max Heim, Junction City

Professional Achievement Award (Inactive Award)

This award was given to a KanSPRA member who exemplified the purpose and mission of KanSPRA and school public relations/communications. The recipient demonstrated sound communications practices by coordinating a comprehensive school communications project, event or program. Recipient must have been in school communications for at least 24 months and were nominated by KanSPRA members.

Professional Achievement Award Winners:

• 2000: Carol Ann Farmer, De Soto
• 1999: Marsha Chappelow, Blue Valley
• 1998: Brad Stauffer, Topeka
• 1997: Janelle Albertson, KSDE Topeka
• 1996: Sandra Terril, Piper
• 1995: Barbara Long, Topeka
• 1994: Theresa Hearn, Derby
• 1993: Carol Pitts, Buhler
• 1992: Melanie Terrill, Salina
• 1991: Bob Gast, KSDE Topeka

Universal Accreditation (APR)

KanSPRA members have the opportunity to earn universal accreditation through the APR (Accredited in Public Relations) program. The process requires a detailed program of study, completion of a portfolio project and a computer-based exam. (Note: For more information on APR, visit the APR section on this website.)National School Public Relations Association.

KanSPRA Accredited Members:

• Michele Jones, APR, Manhattan-Ogden
• Nancy Horst, APR, Emporia
• Charles Volland APR, Geary County
• Carroll Macke APR, Emeritus
• Janelle Albertson APR, Boulder, Colorado
• Carol Ann Farmer APR, Emeritus
• Brad Stauffer APR, Emeritus
• Richard Barger APR, Emeritus
• Wendy Johnson APR, Wichita
• Karen McDermott APR, Maize
• Martin Weishaar APR, Auburn-Washburn

Past President's Individual Plaque

This award is presented annually at the KanSPRA Fall Conference.

Retirement Recognition

Retired members receive a lifetime membership to KanSPRA and are listed as Emeritus on the membership roster.

NSPRA Distinguished Chapter for a Single Project Award

KanSPRA received the top national award in 2000 at the NSPRA Seminar in San Antonio, Texas, for the chapter's efforts in creating working partnerships with state educational associations and agencies to provide professional school public relations advice, counsel and assistance.

NSPRA Blue Ribbon Award (Inactive Award)

KanSPRA was recognized as a Blue Ribbon Chapter by the National School Public Relations Association for thirty consecutive years, 1978-2008. The Blue Ribbon Award is given to chapters that effectively demonstrate the strength and professionalism of their membership. Kansas is one of only two state chapters to receive the Blue Ribbon Award every year since the award's inception.

NSPRA Mark of Distinction Award Progams (New for 2010)

NSPRA has introduced the Mark of Distinction Awards Program to replace the Blue Ribbon chapter award program. The program recognizes efforts of state chapters in promoting NSPRA's mission of building support for education through responsible public relations that lead to success for all students.

This includes:

• Developing and carrying out activities, projects and programs related to NSPRA's mission, goals and objectives;

• Working to promote the importance of effective communication as a management function at both the district and school level;

• Enhancing and elevating the role of the school public relations professiona;

• Providing professional development and support for chapter members and other education leaders in the state;

• Advocating for students and schools through coalition-building and engagement efforts that connect schools and communities in shared responsibility for education.

Chapters can win a Mark of Distinction Award in two areas:

• Membership Building

• Special Focus Areas

For detailed information about the award program, requirements and recognition incentives, please visit the NSPRA Awards section of this website.

NSPRA Chapter Excellence Award

KanSPRA received an Honorable Mention Award for Over-All Chapter Excellence at the NSPRA Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1998. KanSPRA also received an Honorable Mention Distinguished Chapter Award at the 1999 NSPRA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

KASB/KanSPRA Annual Publications Contest

Each fall, the Kansas Association of School Boards conducts a publications and electronic media contest. The contest not only provides recognition for outstanding communications programs in Kansas schools, but provides model publications to effectively communicate with school district publics.