NSPRA Awards will be recognized at annual conference in New Orleans in July

The Southern Westchester BOCES School Communications team continues to earn the accolades of its peers across the country, receiving 18 awards in a diverse range of categories in the National School Public Relations Association's Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards.

The honors, announced June 5, 2026, include nine First Place Awards of Excellence and will be recognized in person at the NSPRA annual conference in New Orleans from July 19-22. All contest entries were judged against those from similar organizations nationally on their overall excellence and comparative quality.

The Southern Westchester BOCES team was honored in eight distinct categories. Four of those came in the Newsletter and Photo categories while three more were for Videos and Special Purpose Publications.

Public Relations Specialist Natalia Baage led the way with five awards. She shared First Place honors with Media Production Specialist Kervin Marseille on Valhalla’s holiday video, “Celebrating Viking Joy.” Graphic Designer Jeffry Braun followed with four awards, including First Place for his Tech Expo Hype Video and the TLI Year in Review. All team members won multiple awards.

"The NSPRA contest showcases the best in school communications throughout the United States," said Director of Communications Brian Howard. “Being recognized in that context is truly gratifying. However, getting to tell the stories of our region’s schools in diverse and effective ways on a daily basis is the biggest honor of all. I’m truly proud of this team’s commitment to innovation in service to our districts ”

Natalia Baage, Public Relations Specialist

1st Award of Excellence
Video
Valhalla’s Holiday Video: Celebrating Viking Joy — Co-Winner with Kervin Marseille

1st Place Award of Excellence
Calendar
Valhalla's Calendar: Community & Connection 

1st Place Award of Excellence
Newsletter
Valhalla Voyages 2025: Sharing Viking Values

1st Place Award of Excellence
Website
Chappaqua Athletics: Website Redesign

2nd Place Award of Merit
Financial Publication
Valhalla's Budget: Building Our Future Together

Jeffry Braun, Graphic Illustrator

1st Place Award of Excellence
Video
Tech Expo 25 Hype Video

1st Place Award of Excellence
Special Purpose Publication
TLI Year in Review 2024-25

2nd Place Award of Merit
Newsletter
Ossining O-Gram

3rd Place Honorable Mention
Special Purpose Publication
Ossining UFSD’s Park School Welcome Packet

Daniel O'Reilly, Public Relations Specialist

1st Place Award of Excellence
Newsletter
Dobbs Ferry School District E-Newsletter
3rd Place Honorable Mention

Photo
Springhurst Elementary School Willy Wonka Jr.

3rd Place Honorable Mention

Excellence in Writing
Dobbs Ferry High School Fencing Team 

Alicia Smith, Public Relations Specialist 

1st Place Award of Excellence
Newsletter
EUFSD Superintendent October 2025 Newsletter

3rd Place Honorable Mention
Photo
Blind Brook Night of Music

Brian Howard, Director of Communications

2nd Place Award of Merit
Video
Blueprint for Excellence: Strategic Plan Video - Co-Winner with Kervin Marseille

3rd Place Honorable Mention
Special Purpose Publication
Board Links - Strategic Plan Edition

Cara Tomao, Public Relations Specialist

1st Place Award of Excellence

Photo

A Perfectly Spooky Pause 

2nd Place Award of Merit

Photo

First Look at Kindergarten Thrills 

Kervin Marseille

1st Award of Excellence

Video
Valhalla’s Holiday Video: Celebrating Viking Joy — Co-Winner with Natalia Baage 

2nd Place Award of Merit
Video
Blueprint for Excellence: Strategic Plan Video - Co-Winner with Brian Howard

NSPRA is the leader in school communication with a mission to advance education through responsible communication. NSPRA’s Publications and Digital Media Awards recognize outstanding education publications and marketing/informational materials (print and electronic), video/TV/radio programs, social media and websites. The submissions are adjudicated by veteran educational communications professionals across the country who have long-standing expertise in the categories they judge.