Hampton City Schools communications team earns top honors in National School Public Relations competition

The Hampton City Schools public relations and marketing office has been recognized for excellence in school communications, earning nine awards in the 2026 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards competition.

 

The annual NSPRA awards program honors outstanding work in educational communications and recognizes school districts and organizations across the country for excellence in publications, marketing, branding, digital media, writing, and community engagement.

 

Hampton City Schools received the following honors:

• Award of Excellence – Branding/Image Package: Master Plan 2.0: Connecting the Dots

• Award of Merit – Branding/Image Package: Library/Media Center Branding

• Award of Excellence – Handbook: Hampton City Schools Communications Guide

• Award of Excellence – Infographic: HCS 2026 By the Numbers

• Honorable Mention – Marketing Materials: Hampton City Schools At a Glance

• Award of Excellence – Podcast: HCS Talks Season 2, Episode 42: The Summer Reset

• Award of Merit – Special Purpose Publication: HCS 2026 Capital Improvement Booklet

• Honorable Mention – Video: Welcome Back, Hampton City Schools! (2025-2026)

• Award of Excellence – Writing: State of the City Joint Address

The division earned five Awards of Excellence, the highest recognition available in the competition, demonstrating Hampton City Schools' commitment to strategic communication, storytelling, transparency, and community engagement.

 

From branding initiatives and publications to podcasts, videos, and executive communications, the award-winning projects showcase the division's efforts to connect with students, families, staff, and the broader community through clear, engaging, and impactful messaging.

 

“I am incredibly proud of the Public Relations and Marketing team and all of the departments - Graphics, Records and Print Shop, and PEG TV - that contribute to this work each day,” said Kellie Goral, executive director of PR & Marketing. “This recognition belongs to a talented group of professionals who work behind the scenes to inform, engage, and celebrate our school community.

 

Whether designing publications, capturing photographs, producing videos, managing social media, maintaining records, printing materials, or sharing the stories of our students and staff, each person plays an important role in our success. These awards recognize not only exceptional communications, but also the passion, creativity, and dedication behind them. Earning five Awards of Excellence, two Awards of Merit, and two Honorable Mentions from NSPRA places Hampton City Schools among the nation's best in school communications.

 

The awards underscore Hampton City Schools' ongoing commitment to excellence in communication and its mission of informing, engaging, and celebrating the achievements of students, staff, and the broader community.