SWBOCES Communications Office Earns Seven National P.R. Awards

Staff members of Southern Westchester BOCES’ Public Information Office won a record seven communications awards from the National School Public Relations Association’s 2020 Publications and Digital Media Awards.

Public Relations Specialist Natalia Baage-Lord won two Awards of Excellence for her work in the Valhalla Union Free School District. The awards were in the categories of Social Media and Electronic Newsletters.

Public Relations Specialist Cara Matthews won two Honorable Mentions in the Print Newsletter category for her quarterly publications for the Ossining Union Free School District and the Pocantico Hills School District.

Public Relations Specialist Alicia Smith won three Honorable Mentions in the category of Excellence in Writing for a trio of stories she wrote for Southern Westchester BOCES’ Center for Career Services.

“Our team of school communications professionals is driven by a true dedication to students and to the SWBOCES mission, which is to support our component districts,” said Brian Howard, Director of Communications. “That drive and passion for public education is at the center of everything we do. I am thankful to our peers at NSPRA for honoring our work and for putting a spotlight on our students and educators.”

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.