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Henry County Schools Honored with 13 GSPRA Publications Awards

 

HCS seven-member communications team posing with one of thirteen GSPRA awards.

 

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools received 13 publications awards at the 2024 Georgia Schools Public Relations Association (GSPRA) Annual Fall Conference, held Oct. 14-16 in Savannah. 

The annual awards acknowledge school public relations professionals who demonstrate exceptional skills by producing outstanding work in communicating with parents, staff, the media, community members, business partners, and other stakeholder groups.

Henry County Schools Communications plays a vital role in establishing the district’s identity and unifying and amplifying the voices of the Board of Education and our 53 schools,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “These accolades are a testament to the outstanding individuals who comprise our communications team and the authentic relationships they seek to nurture with the community.”

The 2024 GSPRA Publications and Peach Awards celebrated more than 30 school districts across Georgia, rewarding select publications and events produced during the 2023-2024 school year.

HCS was among this year’s top winners, securing “Best in Category” for social media for its implementation of a new system for managing districtwide social media accounts, as well as four gold, four silver, and four bronze awards in the following categories:

  • Calendar: The district earned gold for its 2023-2024 school year calendar card, which features a color-coded calendar on one side and the district’s phone directory on the other.
  • Photography: HCS received a gold award for a photo capturing an elementary school student who was “all smiles” on the first day of school; a silver award for an action shot of a girls’ flag football game between Luella High School and Eagle’s Landing High School; and two bronze awards for graduation photos capturing Locust Grove High School’s Class of 2024 “throwing hearts” to their families with their hands and the silhouette of Union Grove High School’s valedictorian speaking in front of the setting sun.
  • Social Media: HCS received a silver award for effective social media management.
  • Special Event: HCS received a gold award for the Henry County Schools Educational Support Person of the Year (ESPY) ceremony, including details related to planning and executing the event among the Communications Department, Human Resource Services Division, Performing Arts Center staff, and other district partners.
  • Special Purpose Publication: HCS received a bronze award for the district’s Winter Graduation program.
  • Videography: HCS received a gold award for a video showcasing former Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis as a finalist for State Superintendent of the Year and a bronze award for a video recap of the Class of 2024 graduation ceremonies at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

“Our communications team is instrumental to conveying who we are as a school district,” said Board Chair Sophe Pope (Dist. 4). “Their work connects us to our stakeholders throughout the community and beyond, and we are extremely proud of their achievements and dedication to continuous improvement.”

GSPRA, an affiliate of the National School Public Relations Association, is a vital medium for exchanging information across the state and provides member schools with tools and support to improve K-12 communication.

About Henry County Schools 

Henry County Schools (HCS) is the eighth-largest school district in Georgia, consisting of 53 schools and located about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over the past two decades, our community has grown in population from 113,000 residents to over 244,000 residents. Since 1999, student enrollment has grown from 21,000 to 43,000 students, and our number of employees has grown from 3,000 to 6,000. 
 
HCS is “In Pursuit of Exceptional,” taking action to advance opportunities, access, and outcomes so that every student in our school district has Exceptional Support, Exceptional Access, and an Exceptional Future. In 2020, our Board of Education adopted our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and laid out a clear vision and mission for Henry County Schools. Our vision is to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student, and our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society. 

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