Contest and Awards

OHSPRA Achievement Awards

Each year, OHSPRA honors individuals, school districts and others for their outstanding contributions in school communications. Awards for 2026 were announced at OHSPRA's Spring Conference in April 2026. Stay tuned for information on the chapter's 2027 awards!

Professional Awards

These awards provide recognition for the outstanding communication efforts of members and non-members of OHSPRA. 

E-Newsletter: A digital newsletter distributed via email, subscription, or a similar digital distribution method. Judged on design, content, and strategic intent. A singular newsletter is considered one entry.

Marketing Materials: Single pieces (digital or printed) designed to promote a specific program, service, event, or the district itself. (e.g., brochures, billboards, fliers, ad series, promotional posters). 

Photography: A single photographic image used to tell a compelling story or capture the spirit of the district/school/event. 

Printed Newsletter: A traditional print-based newsletter distributed to the school community (e.g., distributed by mail or sent home with students). 

Podcast: A regularly-released audio or video program focused on informing or engaging the community on district-related topics. Judging is based on a single podcast link submitted. Multiple podcast episodes may be submitted as separate entries.

PR & Marketing Plan: A comprehensive written plan detailing the strategy, goals, target audience, tactics, and evaluation methods for a significant campaign or annual communication effort. One entry may have multiple pieces of support materials included.

Quality Profile/Annual Report: A detailed, comprehensive document (printed or digital) summarizing the district's performance, achievements, and financial health over the past year.

Social Media Campaign: A coordinated effort across one or more social media platforms focused on achieving a specific goal (e.g., bond passage, enrollment drive, event promotion). Entries in this category may have multiple pieces of support materials included.

Social Media Page: The consistent, ongoing management of a district or school's primary social media account (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.). Entries in this category will review complete pages from the entire 2025 calendar year for general engagement, content, quality, uniqueness, etc. *Individual posts will not be accepted.

Special Purpose Publication: A publication created for a specific, singular purpose outside of routine internal or external communication (e.g., bond issue materials, handbooks, program guides, calendars). 

Student Video: A video produced entirely or primarily by students to communicate a specific message or tell a story about the school or district. 

Video: A professional or staff-produced video (not student-produced) used to inform, promote, or tell a story about the district (e.g., promotional video, informational segment, reel, etc.).

Website: The design, organization, and ongoing maintenance of the district's primary public-facing website. Judges will review user experience, navigation, design, content and accessibility when assessing the overall website.

Writing: A single piece of original persuasive, informative, or interpretive writing intended for a public audience. This could include a column, editorial, feature story, or other significant article.

Distinguished Individual Awards

These awards recognize individuals who support, champion, and help advance the great work school communicators are doing. 

School Communicator of the Year Award, Presented by Finalsite 

This award recognizes the exemplary leadership of Ohio's school communications professionals for demonstrated commitment to the enhancement of communication and relationships between public schools and the students, families, and communities they serve. The award honors those who recognize that communication is a critical component of leadership. The winner will be nominated by OHSPRA for NSPRA's National School Communicator of the Year Award.

Doug Baker Mentorship Award

Established in 2023, this award celebrates the legacy of Doug Baker, a cherished OHSPRA member who was deeply committed to mentoring his peers, fostering connections, and serving education through school public relations. The recipient of this award exemplifies Doug's spirit by going above and beyond to guide, support, and inspire fellow OHSPRA members.

Crystal Award

Established in 1987 to recognize individuals who have dramatically and positively impacted school public relations, the Crystal Award is the highest honor bestowed to an OHSPRA member.

Friend of Education Award

School public relations is more than a one-person or one-department job. With that in mind, OHSPRA annually sponsors the Friend of Education Award to recognize those unofficial members of the school public relations team. Recipients can be individuals or groups of students, parents, volunteers, employees or community partners. 

Innovator Award

Established by OHSPRA in 2010 to recognize individuals who have introduced or utilized new methods of communication to dramatically advance or impact school public relations locally, state-wide, or nationally.