• Annual Report: Published yearly to summarize goals, activities, and achievements. Submit ONE report per entry.

• Branding/Image Package: Materials designed to promote the district brand (e.g., logos, taglines, etc.). Multiple assets may be submitted to demonstrate the brand identity.  Entry should include an image file of the brand identity (logo, tagline, etc.) as well as at least one example of the brand identity in use (e.g., website homepage, brochure, letterhead, business card, email signature, building signage, etc.).

• Calendar: Publication (digital or print) with general information and specific dates for school/district activities and events. Submit ONE calendar per entry.

• Excellence in Writing: One article from a newsletter, newspaper op-ed piece, website, editorial or speech. Length of 500 to 5,000 words. Submit only the relevant article, not an entire publication. Submit ONE article per entry

• Finance Publication: Information about tax levies, bond issues, budgets and other financial topics. Submit ONE publication per entry.

• Handbook/Guide: General information about policies, regulations and/or other official guidance, issued to students, parents and/or staff. Submit ONE publication per entry.

• Infographic: Graphic images used to represent complex information or data in a quick, impactful way. Submit ONE infographic per entry.

• Magazine: Periodic publication with news articles, feature articles, photos, and/or more. Print or digital. Submit ONE issue per entry.

• Marketing Material: Material created to promote/sell a school or district product, program, or service to stakeholders. Submit ONE asset per entry.

• News Release: Singular news or media release. Submit ONE release per entry.

• Newsletter: External or internal, published periodically. TWO different issues of the newsletter must be submitted to qualify as one entry. Links to additional issues may be submitted, but are optional. Print or digital.

• Photography: An image that effectively tells a story, captures significant moments or conveys the ethos of a school community. Submit ONE photo per entry.

• Podcast: School or district podcast episode. Submit ONE podcast per entry.

• Social Media: Social media communication campaign or collection of posts that effectively use social media for awareness, fundraising, enrollment drives, or other strategic objectives. Upload a one-page explanation that includes the following: overview/purpose of the campaign/posts; links to the social media content; relevant analytics that demonstrate the level of engagement with the social media content; and description of the outcomes achieved.

• Special Purpose Publication: External or internal booklet, brochure, poster or material not included in other categories. Submit ONE publication per entry.

• Video (singular): A video recording or live broadcast designed for a website, social media, video channel, special event, etc. Video can be submitted as MP4 files, but if the file size is larger than 25MB, provide a link to the video from a website, YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc. Submit ONE video per entry.

• Video (series): A video series designed for a website, social media, video channel, special event, etc. Videos can be submitted as a MP4 file, but if the file size is larger than 25MB, provide a link to the video from a website, YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc. Submit UP TO five videos per entry.

• Website: Existing website if not previously entered in an NSPRA awards program, website redesign project, special purpose or short-term project website. Intranet website entries must include password or other login information so judges can access the site. Submit ONE website per entry.

• Gold Medallion: PenSPRA's Gold Medallion Award is a highly competitive award that recognizes superior school public relations programs and campaigns grounded in strategic communication best practices. The following programs/projects/campaigns are eligible for entry: 

Gold Medallion entries must be submitted as a single PDF file. The total award entry, including entry form and all application materials, is limited to no more than 26 pages (packaged in a single PDF). An entry must include: 

• Cover page with entry information (page max = 1: Include entrant's name and title, district/organization name, address, phone, email, title of entry, entry category, number of communication staff, size/type of district or organization.) Do not exceed one page in length. 

• Synopsis of the program/project/campaign: Provides a clear, concise overview of the program/project/campaign. Do not exceed 350 words. 

• Summary of the program/project/campaign: Summarize the program/project/campaign by demonstrating how it followed the four-step strategic public relations planning process of research, planning, implementation and evaluation (RPIE). Include hyperlinks to any key support materials (websites, videos, social media, PDFs, etc.). Do not exceed six (6) pages. 

An entry may include: 

• Additional support material demonstrating the RPIE strategic planning process may be included but may not cause the entry to exceed the 26 page total. Samples, brief synopses or links to support materials are sufficient (e.g., no need to include complete survey results or reports) 

Example format for entry: 

• Page 1: Cover page with entry information 

• Page 2: Synopsis of program/campaign 

• Pages 3-8: Summary of program campaign 

• Marketing Communication Campaign 

• Public Engagement/Parental Involvement Campaign 

• Pages 9-26: Additional support material 

The contest is open to all school public relations professionals in Pennsylvania. Materials must have been produced between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.

Judging is conducted by a panel of independent professionals who can provide contestants with feedback upon request after the contest has concluded.

Contestants upload their content files or links through a submission form (coming soon!). If your printed publication is not available as a digital file, you may still enter by mailing two copies to: PenSPRA Communications Contest, c/o Chester County Intermediate Unit, 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335. Entries must be uploaded and/or postmarked by Friday, January 17, 2025.