The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) has honored Surry County Schools for excellence in communications. Surry County Schools earned a total of 16 Blue Ribbon Awards for outstanding and effective communication, including 7 Gold Awards and 9 Silver Awards, as well as one prestigious Best of the Best Award for outstanding Publication (Print or Digital).
NCSPRA presented the awards during a special ceremony held at the Guilford County Schools Community Education Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, on March 6, 2026.
The awards recognize exemplary communications work completed between October 31, 2024, and November 1, 2025. Entries were evaluated by the Georgia School Public Relations Association, which served as the independent judging body for the competition.
Surry County Schools received recognition across multiple communications disciplines, including Digital Media Engagement, Electronic Media, Excellence in Writing, Publications, Image/Graphic Design, Photography, Strategic Communications, and Special Projects and Events.
In addition to the multiple category wins, Surry County Schools earned one of only eight statewide Best of the Best Awards, presented for the most outstanding entry in each major category across all districts.
The district’s Career and College Ready Catalog received the Best of the Best honor in the Publications category. Judges praised the entry, stating: “This is an exceptionally strong, student- and family-friendly publication with a clear purpose and outstanding execution. The layout, typography hierarchy, and flow make complex information easy to understand and easy to navigate, and the catalog does an excellent job balancing text, visuals, and practical details. The work-based learning and pathway sections are especially effective because they are concrete and actionable, and the inclusion of clear definitions, outcomes, and next steps makes this a true ‘roadmap’ for decision-making.”
Overall, 35 school districts from across North Carolina were recognized through the NCSPRA Blue Ribbon Awards program this year. The awards celebrate excellence in school public relations and communications, recognizing the critical role effective communication plays in supporting students, families, educators, and communities.
Dr. Tracey Helton, NCSPRA President and Chief Communication Officer for Guilford County Schools, presented the awards and said the work of the winners exemplifies the high standards of the North Carolina School Public Relations Association and the outstanding work of its members. “We are extremely proud of the work being done by NCSPRA members across the state as districts face an array of challenges in education. The Blue Ribbon Award winners have demonstrated excellence in all facets of communication. Their expertise and professionalism in the field of communication highlight the superior work being done by North Carolina public schools, and their accomplishments deserve recognition. I congratulate all winners for their outstanding work as they support students and teachers and promote public education.”
In addition to the Blue Ribbon Awards and Best of the Best Awards, NCSPRA presented its School Communicator of the Year award to Dr. Lindsay Whitley of Cumberland County Schools and the Barry Gaskins Service Award to Ellen Boyd, APR formerly of Kannapolis City Schools and NCSPRA’s longtime Executive Director.
The School Communicator of the Year award recognizes one NCSPRA member each year for excellence in the field of school communications. Candidates are nominated by NCSPRA members and are evaluated based on outstanding performance in the areas of Leadership, Communication, Professionalism, and Community Involvement.
Whitley was honored for his exceptional commitment to strategic communication and for advancing the field of school PR.
Boyd was named as the 2026-2027 recipient of the Barry Gaskins Service Award for her long career in school communications and her more than five years of service to NCSPRA as Executive Director.
"Ellen Boyd’s leadership has left a lasting mark on NCSPRA," said Helton. “Serving as executive director since 2020, she has guided our organization with heart, vision and an unwavering commitment to strengthening school public relations across North Carolina and beyond. Ellen has long been a constant presence in our chapter throughout her career, and we are incredibly grateful for the dedication she has shown. It is an honor to recognize her as the recipient of the Barry Gaskins Award.”
For more information, please visit ncspra.org.
To see the full list of winners, click here.