Missouri School Public Relations Association

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

Nominations ideally will come from multiple people from diverse backgrounds (communications colleague, superintendent or other administrator, building principal, board member, parent and/or community member)

Nomination letters will include specific attributes of the nominee and examples that illustrate the attributes.  (Sample attributes are noted in each category.)

MOSPRA will accept a maximum of five letters for the nominee. Please limit letters to no more than two pages in length.

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

The recipient must be a member of MOSPRA and have been a professional in school public relations for more than 12 months at the time of the nomination deadline. The person should have made a valuable contribution to either an education institution or MOSPRA in promoting school PR or have made a difference in the life of students.   Sample attributes include professionalism; strategic skills; organization; ability to develop and implement high-quality communication practices; commitment to helping MOSPRA as an association, etc.

NEW PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

The recipient shall be employed at least half-time in the field of public relations for no more than 24 months and be a member of MOSPRA.  The recipient shall have exhibited a creative, dedicated and professional approach to school public relations. Sample attributes include professionalism; commitment to obtain professional development; strategic skills; ability to develop and implement high-quality communication practices, etc.

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

The recipient should not be in an official PR position, but be employed by an institution that has a member of MOSPRA. The recipient should have made a significant contribution to school PR and supported and/or advocated for MOSPRA in some way.  Sample attributes include outward support of quality communications throughout school district/organization and a personal commitment to transparent, quality communications with staff, parents and community. Please provide specific examples.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (Non-MOSPRA Member or Emeritus)

The recipient should have made a significant contribution to school public relations efforts or the enhancement of the image of education. The recipient may be a legislator, business person, community member, teacher or individual who is not a school PR professional.  Sample attributes include outward support of quality communications throughout school district/organization; a personal commitment to -- or support of -- quality communications that heighten perceptions of public education.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (MOSPRA Member)

The recipient should have made a significant contribution to school public relations efforts or the enhancement of the image of education.  The recipient should be a practicing communications professional and a member of MOSPRA. Sample attributes include a personal commitment to quality communications that heighten perceptions of public education; a record of sustained excellence in communications and public relations; a record of support of the work of MOSPRA (examples include service to MOSPRA Board, MOSPRA committee service, mentoring of colleagues, etc.).  The recipient must have a minimum of ten years in the field of school communications.

MOSPRA SPIRIT AWARD

The recipient shall be a MOSPRA member in good standing who exhibits an ongoing desire to help colleagues find their own personal success and be a positive voice for public education. Nominee qualities include mentoring others in school communications, specific acts to help the students of their district (and beyond), and a willingness to work with others in MOSPRA to promote quality communications and public relations.

The Spirit Award was developed in honor of former MOSPRA leader, Tina Zubeck.

Nomination dateline for 2025 awards: January 17, 2025.