BCPS Recognized for Excellence in Communication
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BCPS Recognized for Excellence in Communication
The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) has honored Burke County Public Schools for excellence in communications. BCPS earned a total of 10 Blue Ribbon Awards for outstanding and effective communication. NCSPRA presented the awards during a special ceremony held at the Guilford County Schools Community Education Center in Greensboro, NC, on March 6, 2026.
Dr. Tracey Helton, NCSPRA President and Chief Communication Officer for Guilford County Schools, presented the awards and said the work of the winners exemplifies the high standards of the North Carolina School Public Relations Association and the outstanding work of its members. “We are extremely proud of the work being done by NCSPRA members across the state as districts face an array of challenges in education. The Blue Ribbon Award winners have demonstrated excellence in all facets of communication. Their expertise and professionalism in the field of communication highlight the superior work being done by North Carolina public schools, and their accomplishments deserve recognition. I congratulate all winners for their outstanding work as they support students and teachers and promote public education.”
NCSPRA recognizes outstanding communications through its Blue Ribbon Awards program each year. BCPS was one of 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 Oct. 31, 2024, and Nov. 1, 2025.
BCPS received six gold, two silver and two bronze level awards in a variety of categories. The gold awards were in:
- Excellence in Writing for a story about a Salem Elementary second grader who sold her Barbie dolls to aid Hurricane Helen victims
- Special Events for the 2025 Inclusive Talent Show and 2025 Summer Leadership Challenge, where principals and directors went into the community during their summer institute and performed acts of service.
- Electronic Media for videos on the Chopped Competition and employees who found love at Oak Hill Elementary School.
- Digital Media Engagement for a post highlighting BCPS’s own English and PE teachers finding love long before Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement.
The judges praised the district’s public relations and communications team, made up of Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler and Child Nutrition Marketing and Communications Specialist Bethany Duncan, as creative storytellers who understand social media, highlight authentic people and moments, and effectively build community connection through positive, engaging content.
BCPS Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan said, “Great school communication is about telling the real stories of the people inside our classrooms. I’m proud of how our team shines a light on the students, staff, and moments that make Burke County Public Schools such a special community. Their work helps people see the heart of our schools.”
In addition to the Blue Ribbon Awards and Best of the Best Awards, NCSPRA presented its School Communicator of the Year award 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.
The School Communicator of the Year award recognizes one NCSPRA member each year for excellence in the field of school communications. Candidates are nominated by NCSPRA members and are evaluated based on outstanding performance in the areas of Leadership, Communication, Professionalism, and Community Involvement.
Whitley was honored for his exceptional commitment to strategic communication and for advancing the field of school PR.
Boyd was named as the 2026-2027 recipient of the Barry Gaskins Service Award for her long career in school communications and her more than five years of service to NCSPRA as Executive Director.
“Ellen Boyd’s leadership has left a lasting mark on NCSPRA," said Helton. “Serving as executive director since 2020, she has guided our organization with heart, vision and an unwavering commitment to strengthening school public relations across North Carolina and beyond. Ellen has long been a constant presence in our chapter throughout her career, and we are incredibly grateful for the dedication she has shown. It is an honor to recognize her as the recipient of the Barry Gaskins Award.”
For more information, please visit ncspra.org.