Awards of Distinction

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

MOSPRA recognizes the outstanding work of our members and those who support quality communications in education.

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR (New Format)

Starting with the 2025 Awards, MOSPRA will follow the National School Public Relations format for selecting the Professional of the Year. This calls for a more detailed response from the nominators.

The award recognizes a school communication professional with at least five years of experience who has demonstrably contributed to the school communication profession. A national panel of current and past school communication professionals will judge the nominations.

In 250-500 words, describe the nominee's demonstrated LEADERSHIP in successfully meeting the communication needs of their school system or educational service agency. Examples may include leading successful communication campaigns, overcoming an internal communication challenge or creating a robust strategic communication plan.
In 250-500 words, describe the nominee's demonstrated strength in both personal and organizational COMMUNICATION. Examples may include evidence of persuasion, the power of engagement or influence in decision making.
In 250-500 words, describe the nominee's constant improvement of KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, while providing professional development opportunities and mentoring to others. Examples may include achieving accreditation in public relations (APR), participating in NSPRA’s Mentor Match program or serving as a speaker at the chapter or national level.
In 250-500 words, describe the nominee's active participation in their LOCAL COMMUNITY activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues. Examples may include volunteering in their local community, organizing a fund-raising event for their community or writing an article that demonstrates broad knowledge of the complexities of public education.

OTHER MOSPRA AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

Nominations ideally will come from multiple people from diverse backgrounds (communications colleague, superintendent or other administrator, building principal, board member, parent and/or community member)
Nomination letters will include specific attributes of the nominee and examples that illustrate the attributes. (Sample attributes are noted in each category.)
MOSPRA will accept a maximum of five entries for the nominee.

NEW PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

The recipient shall be employed at least half-time in the field of school public relations for no more than 24 months and be a member of MOSPRA.

In 300 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has exhibited a professional approach to school public relations.
In 300 words or less, discuss the nominee’s ability to develop and implement high-quality communication practices.
In 200 words or less, discuss the nominee’s focus on professional development.

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR (Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent)

The recipient should not be in an official PR position but be employed by an institution that has a member of MOSPRA.

In 300 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has supported and/or advocated for MOSPRA (or MOSPRA member/s).
In 300 words or less, discuss a specific instance where the nominee has either personally shown, or has supported, exceptional communications
In 300 words or less, share the overall quality of the nominee as it relates to leadership.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (Non-MOSPRA Member or Emeritus)

The recipient should have made a significant contribution to school public relations efforts or the enhancement of the image of education. The recipient may be a legislator, businessperson, community member, teacher, a MOSPRA emeritus, or individual who is not a school PR professional.

In 500 words or less, share examples of how the nominee has supported and/or enhanced public education. (Sample attributes include outward support of quality communications throughout a school district/organization; a personal commitment to -- or support of -- quality communications that heighten perceptions of public education.)

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (MOSPRA Member)

The recipient should have made a significant contribution to school public relations efforts or the enhancement of the image of education. The recipient should be a practicing communications professional and a member of MOSPRA with a minimum of ten years in the field.

In 500 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has exhibited the following:

Shown a record of sustained excellence in communications and public relations
Shown a record of support of the work of MOSPRA (examples include service to MOSPRA Board, MOSPRA committee service, mentoring of colleagues, etc.).

MOSPRA SPIRIT AWARD

The recipient shall be a MOSPRA member in good standing who exhibits an ongoing desire to help colleagues find their own personal success and be a positive voice for public education. (The Spirit Award was developed in honor of former MOSPRA leader, Tina Zubeck.)

In 300 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has mentored others in school communications
In 300 words or less, share specific examples of how the nominee has shown a willingness to work with others in MOSPRA to promote quality communications and public relations.

Nomination dateline for 2025 awards: January 17, 2025.

MOSPRA WILL BEGIN TAKING NOMINATIONS ON DECEMBER 10, 2024.

SUBMIT NOMINATIONS TO MOSPRA'S OPEN WATER PLATFORM HERE!

David Luther
MOSPRA Executive Director
3550 Amazonas Dr.
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Email: MOSPRA_DIRECTOR@iCloud.com

Past Award Recipients

Professional of the Year

2024 Kelly Wachel, APR, Park Hill
2023 Ben Fisher, Reeds Spring
2022 Erica Chandler, APR, Affton
2021 Bob Satnan, Sedalia
2020 Matt Deichmann, APR, Francis Howell
2019 Cathy Orta, APR, Rockwood
2018 Janice Phelan, Lee’s Summit
2017 Melanie Powell-Robinson, Riverview Gardens
2016 Stephanie Smith, APR, Fort Osage
2015 Kelli Price, Joplin
2014 Mickey Schoonover, APR, Pattonville
2013 Jill Filer, Harrisonville
2012 Tina Zubeck, Platte County
2011 Chris Tennill, APR, Clayton
2010 Kim Cranston, APR, Rockwood
2009 Paul Tandy, APR, Parkway
2008 Mary Jo Burton, APR, North Kansas City
2007 David Luther, Jefferson City
2006 Cindy Gibson, APR, Ritenour
2005 Nicole Kirby, APR, Park Hill
2004 Roger Kurtz, MASA Executive Director & MOSPRA Member
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999 Dan Burns, Rockwood
1998 Howard Emerson, Hazelwood
1997
1996
1995 Bob Guttmann, Pattonville

Distinguished Service Award (External)

2024 No award
2023 Dr. Melissa Massey, Southwest Center for Excellence in Education
2022 Dr. Doug Hayter, MASA Executive Director
2021 Susan Downing, APR, Ladue (Ret.), “Write It, Downing,” LLC
2020 Kadee Brusard, KY 3 TV, Springfield
2019 Ken DeSieghardt, Patron Insight
2018 Cindy Gibson, APR, Past MOSPRA President and Education Consultant
2017 Maynard Wallace, Missouri State Board of Education
2016 Tracy Black, Troy Schools Foundation
2015 Dr. Gary Sharpe (MASA Executive Director, RET.)
2014 David Luther, Jefferson City Schools (Ret.)
2013 Brent Ghan, MSBA
2012 Dr. Chris Straub, Retired Supt, MASA, MSBA
2011 Guin Martin Mundorf, LLC
2010 Senator Charlie Shields
2009 Dan Burns, Unicom-ARC
2008 Todd Fuller, MSTA
2007 Phil Witt, WDAF TV
2006 Jim Morris, DESE
2005 Warren Krech, Jefferson City Radio Personality
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999 Dr. Robert Bartman, Commissioner of DESE
1998 Rick Hemmingsen, Independence Chamber of Commerce
1997
1996
1995 Michael & Allison Wurst, Henry Wurst Printing

Distinguished Service Award (Internal) (This award was initiated in 2019)

2024 Tracie Skaggs, Carl Junction
2023 Paul Tandy, APR, Parkway
2022 Mickey Schoonover, APR, Pattonville
2021 Stephanie Smith, APR, Fort Osage
2020 Jill Filer, Harrisonville
2019 Nicole Kirby, APR Park Hill

Administrator of the Year

2024 Dr. Brad Welle, Grain Valley
2023 Dr. Travis Bracht, Affton
2022 Dr. Jeanette Cowherd, Park Hill
2021 Paul Mensching, Harrisonville
2020 Susan Crooks, Leeton
2019 Dr. Matt Teeter, Willard
2018 Dr. Chris Kilbride, Ritenour
2017 Dr. Aaron Zalis, Rolla
2016 Dr. John Jungmann, Springfield
2015 Todd Willhite, Salisbury
2014 Dr. Stephen Kleinsmith, Nixa
2013 Dr. Allan Markley, Raytown
2012 Dr. CJ Huff, Joplin
2011 Dr. Chris Belcher, Columbia
2010 Dr. Terry Adams, Wentzville
2009 Dr. Tom Cummings, North Kansas City
2008 Dr. David Benson, Ladue
2007 Dr. Larry Ewing, Fort Osage
2006 Dr. Don Senti, Clayton
2005 Dr. Craig Larson, Rockwood
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999 Dr. Lynn Beckwith Jr., University City
1998 Dr. Terry Holder, St. Charles City
1997 Dr. Jerry Cooper, Hickman Mills

New Professional of the Year

2024 Amanda Miles, Fulton
2023 Amber Drapter, Special School District of St. Louis County
2022 Mickie Plummer-Shepheard, Park Hill
2021 Ana Espinoza, Monett; Ketina Armstrong, Meremac Valley R-III; Brian Heyman, Pattonville; Chuck McPherson, Grandview; Aurora Meyer, Columbia; Leigh Anne Reynolds, Boonville; Hunter Robinson, Mehlville (The selection committee felt that all of the nominees were deserving for the excellent work they did during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
2020 Kim Connell, Hollister
2019 Whitney Burrell, Willard
2018 Angie Lawson, Clinton
2017 Melissa McConnell, Belton
2016 Ben Fisher, Reed Springs
2015 Joey Austin, St. Joseph
2014 Bob Satnan, Sedalia
2013 Mallory McGowin, Jefferson City
2012 Kim Vann, Jopin
2011 Lana Snodgras, West Plains
2010 Steve Robertson, Cape Girardeau
2009 Zac Rantz, Nixa
2008 Doug Bray, Ritenour
2007 Kelly Wachel, Center
2006 Michelle Cronk, North Kansas City
2005 Ishmael Sistrunk, Normandy
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999 Erica Abbett, Ladue
1998 David Clohessy, Riverview Gardens
1998 Marci McGraw, Fort Osage
1997 Amy Adams Moeller, CSD
1996
1995 Jeff Arnett, Rockwood

Zubeck Spirit Award

2024 Lana Snodgras, West Plains
2023 Gina Zervos, Rolla
2022 Stephanie Smith, APR, Fort Osage
2021 Laura Hulett, Platte
2020 Marci Minor, Mexico
2019 Paul Tandy, APR, Parkway
2018 Erica Chandler, Affton
2017 Meridith Pobst, Jackson
2016 Michelle Cronk, North Kansas City
2015 Jill Filer, Harrisonville

Last Modified on April 8, 2024

(These lists are incomplete. We are working to secure the names of past winners.)

Evaluation Process

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS (Note: The process for nominating and evaluating the Distinguished Service Awards will change in 2024. Please revisit this site in November for the updated format. If you have questions, contact David Luther: MOSPRA_Director@iCloud.com.
- (Download the guide)
  
  Scoring Guide
  
  Rate nominees 1-5 with 5 as highest

Professional of the Year

Contributions to school PR this year
Contributions to his/her district’s communication efforts this year
Contributions to MOSPRA this year
Awards/Honors/MOSPRA Involvement
Specific examples provided

New Professional of the Year

Contributions to school PR
Contributions to his/her district’s communication efforts
Contributions to MOSPRA
Awards/Honors/MOSPRA Involvement
Specific examples provided

Administrator of the Year

Commitment to/values communication
Specific examples provided
Advocacy for/support of MOSPRA

Distinguished Service Award (non-MOSPRA)

Contributions to school PR/education
Specific examples provided

Distinguished Service Award (MOSPRA)

Contributions to school PR
Record of sustained excellence in school PR
Sustained support of MOSPRA
Specific examples provided

Tina Zubeck Spirit Award

Connecting colleagues
Providing mentoring to colleagues
Dedication to students/education
Positive energy/contributions to school PR

Last Modified on March 12, 2020