Craven County Schools Recognized for Excellence in Communication

The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) has recognized Craven County Schools for excellence in communication. Craven County Schools received a total of 5 Blue Ribbon Awards for outstanding and effective communication. NCSPRA awarded these honors during a special ceremony held at the Guilford County Schools Community Education Center in Greensboro, NC, on March 6, 2026.

Craven County Schools received 5 Gold-level awards for outstanding Digital Media Engagement (3 awards), Image/Graphic Design, and Electronic Media. The judges praised the work of one of the Digital Media Engagement entries, “Kid Principal is an excellent example of how a single, well-told student story can drive meaningful digital engagement. By pairing authentic visuals with a straightforward narrative and strong cross-platform distribution, the district successfully highlighted leadership, creativity, and student-centered learning. The impressive metrics and emotional appeal make this a standout submission in the Digital Media Engagement category.”

This year, Craven County Schools also received its first BEST OF THE BEST Award under the Image/Graphic Design Category with the entry CCS Celebrates Being a Purple Star District for the Fourth Year. The feedback from the judges stated, “Beautiful graphic! A diverse, well laid-out campaign that is very eye-catching. The colors were vivid and worked well together.”

Dr. Tracey Helton, NCSPRA President and Chief Communication Officer for Guilford County Schools, presented the awards and stated that the winners' work exemplifies the high standards of the North Carolina School Public Relations Association and the outstanding contributions of its members. “We are extremely proud of the work being done by NCSPRA members across the state as districts face a variety of challenges in education. The Blue Ribbon Award winners have demonstrated excellence in all areas of communication. Their expertise and professionalism in the field highlight the superior work being done by North Carolina public schools, and their achievements deserve recognition. I congratulate all the winners for their outstanding efforts as they support students and teachers and promote public education.”   

NCSPRA recognizes outstanding communications annually through its Blue Ribbon Awards program. Craven County Schools was among 35 school districts statewide to receive a Blue Ribbon Award. This year’s submission categories included Strategic Communications, Digital Media Engagement, Electronic Media, Excellence in Writing, Publications, Image/Graphic Design, Photography, and Special Projects and Events. The Georgia School Public Relations Association judged NCSPRA’s 2025 Blue Ribbon entries based on work done between October 31, 2024, and November 1, 2025.

In addition to the Blue Ribbon Awards and Best of the Best Awards, NCSPRA awarded its School Communicator of the Year 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. 

Congratulations to the Office of Public Relations, Jennifer Wagner, and Breeana Draper.