Contest and Awards

OHSPRA Achievement Awards

Each year, OHSPRA honors individuals, school districts and others for their outstanding contributions in school communications.

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.

Entry Fees & Submission Information for Professional Awards

We can’t wait to celebrate you! Submissions for the OHSPRA Achievement Awards will open in November. The deadline to enter is January 16, 2026. 

OHSPRA MEMBERS: $75/one entry  $200/four entries
NON-MEMBERS: $100

NOTE: OHSPRA members include only those people who have purchased an individual membership or were one of the people specifically named in an institutional membership. Institutional memberships include up to three people; a fourth can be added for $55. All others qualify as non-members.

Entries will not be returned and become the property of OHSPRA. OHSPRA cannot accept purchase orders. Fees cannot be returned.

Entrants should submit entries for the Professional Awards through the OpenWater platform. The platform can be accessed using NSPRA login credentials or as a guest for those without an NSPRA login. Alternatively, a free account can be created to view submissions.

Enter the Professional Awards

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.

Submit a Nominee for the 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.

Submit a Nominee for the Doug Baker Mentorship Award

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.

Submit a Nominee for the Crystal Award

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. 

Submit a Nominee for the Friend of Education Award

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.

Submit a Nominee for the Innovator Award

Need Help?

For more information email Mary Stephens, Director of Contest and Awards at awards@ohspra.org.