PUBLICATIONS CONTEST
KanSPRA Publications Contest
Each year, KanSPRA conducts an annual publications contest to recognize the top work produced by members. Thank you for helping to recognize the hard work and dedication of our KanSPRA members!
“These projects and awards represent the best in school communication in Kansas,” said 2025-26 KanSPRA President Terry Rombeck. “Our members serve such an important role in making sure our school communities know what is going on in their districts, and telling the amazing stories of what happens in public schools every single day. Our communicators often work behind the scenes, so we are especially proud to honor some of the best with these awards.”
Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria
A submission is awarded 1 point for each objective it meets in its category, with a possible total of 5 points for meeting all five objectives. The judge will then give a rating for how well the project was executed overall, with the possibility of receiving up to 5 additional points for quality
Submissions
- Entries are limited to one submission per category per district.
- Entries must be produced between June 2024 and May 2025.
- Entries must be submitted by the end of Sunday, August 24.
- The contest is only open to KanSPRA members.
- There is no cost to enter the contest.
Judging
- Entries are evaluated by a non-biased panel of public relations and school public relations professionals. Each award entry is evaluated based on how it meets the award criteria and the judging rubric.
- Individual judging assessments are confidential and will not be released publicly. Aggregate scores will be shared with the primary contact for each district.
- Honorees will be celebrated at the annual state conference in the fall.
Awards
Awards will be distributed as follows:
- Excellence (Receiving 9-10 points total)
- Merit (Receiving 7-8 points total)
- Honorable Mention (Receiving 5-6 points total)
Categories
- Annual Report
- Branding/Image Package
- Calendar
- Crisis Communication
- Financial Publication
- Handbook/Guide
- Infographic
- Magazine
- Marketing Material
- Newsletter
- News Release
- Photo/Photo Series
- Podcast
- Social Media
- Special Project, Event or Program
- Special Purpose Publication
- Video (Series)
- Video (Singular)
- Website
- Writing
2025-26 KanSPRA Publications Contest Recipients
Awards of Excellence
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Arkansas City Public Schools [1]
-
Auburn-Washburn USD 437 [3]
-
Blue Valley Schools [6]
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Circle Public Schools [1]
-
Derby Public Schools [2]
-
Geary County Schools [1]
-
Goddard Public Schools [3]
-
Great Bend Public Schools [1]
-
Leavenworth USD 453 [1]
-
Maize USD 266 [5]
-
Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 [1]
-
Olathe Public Schools [5]
-
Piper USD 203 [2]
-
Shawnee Mission School District [6]
-
Spring Hill Schools [2]
-
Valley Center Public Schools [1]
-
Wichita Public Schools [3]
Awards of Merit
- Arkansas City Public Schools [3]
- Auburn-Washburn USD 437 [2]
- Blue Valley Schools [8]
- Circle Public Schools [2]
- Derby Public Schools [4]
- Fort Larned USD 495 [1]
- Goddard Public Schools [3]
- Great Bend Public Schools [1]
- Hays USD 489 [5]
- Leavenworth USD 453 [2]
- Maize USD 266 [4]
- Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 [3]
- Olathe Public Schools [2]
- Piper USD 203 [1]
- Shawnee Mission School District [5]
- Spring Hill Schools [4]
- Tonganoxie USD 464 [3]
- Wichita Public Schools [2]
Honorable Mentions
- Arkansas City Public Schools [2]
- Blue Valley Schools [1]
- Derby Public Schools [8]
- El Dorado Public Schools [1]
- Fort Larned USD 495 [1]
- Geary County Schools [2]
- Goddard Public Schools [3]
- Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 [1]
- Olathe Public Schools [3]
- Piper USD 203 [2]
- Shawnee Mission School District [2]
- Tonganoxie USD 464 [1]
- Valley Center Public Schools [2]