District 62 staff joined school communications professionals, superintendents, school boards, and other school leaders from across the state last Friday, September 21 at the Illinois School Public Relations Association’s (INSPRA) Annual Communications Contest and Golden Achievement Awards luncheon.  District 62, which has entered and won five years in a row, was the recipient of four awards. 

An Award of Excellence in the Special Purpose Category was won by Milagros Bravo, Monserrat Cabrera-Landini, Celia Garcia-Fernandez, Flor Marchisotto, Christine Trujillo of the Second Language Department, Community Relations Director Mindy Ward, and Julie Nykiel of Nykiel Designs for a Second Language Programs brochure.

Awards of Merit were won for/by the following publications/groups:

            2011-2012 Student & Parent Handbook-Handbook Committee-Brad Voehringer, Denise Fernandez, Helen Galvan, Sylvia Ortega, Mindy Ward and Julie Nykiel

            Response to Intervention Brochure-RtI Committee-Catherine Borge, Dr. Janice Rashid, Kathy Ryan, Noelle Schwartz, Jean Wilson, and Mindy Ward and Julie Nykiel

            April Showers of Thanks Celebration Honoring District 62 Volunteers and Corporate Partners-Mindy Ward and Julie Nykiel

More than 150 entries were submitted in ten categories.  Entries were judged against criteria of excellence, and only those receiving top scores in a variety of areas received awards. National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) chapter members from Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Nebraska served as judges for these categories.

The mission of INSPRA is to strengthen support for Illinois public schools and improve education for students through responsible public relations.  Workshops and programs are held throughout the year providing opportunities for members to learn and grow in their craft. The awards ceremony is the highlight of the year.