Valdosta City Schools has earned national recognition for excellence in school communications, receiving 11 honors in the 2026 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Awards competition.

NSPRA's Publications and Digital Media Awards program recognizes outstanding communications materials produced by school districts and education organizations across the United States. Entries are judged against organizations of similar size and type and evaluated for overall excellence, quality, creativity, effectiveness, and impact.

Valdosta City Schools received recognition across multiple communications platforms, including publications, video production, social media, marketing materials, and website communications.

Among the district's highest honors were two Awards of Excellence, NSPRA's top recognition within a category:

Awards of Excellence

Special Purpose Publication

·         2025 Fall Welcome Guide

Video

·         Committed to the V

Additional honors included:

Awards of Merit

Video

·         Beyond the Title: The Work of a Principal

Video Series

·         Teacher of the Year Video Series

Handbook

·         VCS 2025-2026 Code of Student Conduct

Website

·         Vision. Values. Victory. Go Cats! (gocats.org)

Honorable Mentions

Social Media

·         Valdosta City Schools Social Media

Video Series

·         Class of 2025 Graduate Series

Marketing Materials

·         2025-2026 VCS Facts & Figures

"Effective communication is essential to building trust, strengthening relationships, and showcasing the incredible work taking place throughout our schools every day," said Superintendent Dr. Craig Lockhart. "These awards reflect the commitment of our Public Relations Department to telling the stories of our students, staff, and community while ensuring families have access to clear, timely, and meaningful information."

The district's award-winning entries highlighted a variety of initiatives, including student achievement, employee recognition, family engagement, academic resources, athletics, and strategic communications efforts that support Valdosta City Schools' Vision, Values, and Victory framework.

Director of Public Relations Jennifer Steedley also recognized the contributions of VCS Communications Specialist Candacey Griffin, whose creativity, innovation, and storytelling have helped expand the district's reach and strengthen connections with families and community stakeholders.

"While awards are certainly appreciated, what makes me most proud is the work our team does every day to connect with families and celebrate the achievements of our students and staff," said Steedley. "Mrs. Griffin's creativity, talent, and willingness to think outside the box have elevated our communications efforts in remarkable ways. She has an incredible gift for turning everyday moments into meaningful stories that resonate with our audience."

Steedley specifically highlighted Griffin's work on the district's nationally recognized Beat the Summer Slide campaign, which encouraged students and families to stay engaged in learning throughout the summer months through a creative series of videos and social media content.

"The success of the Beat the Summer Slide campaign demonstrated the power of authentic storytelling and strategic communication," Steedley said. "The campaign increased engagement across our social media platforms by 173 percent, reached more than one million people, and helped attract nearly 10,000 new followers to our channels. Those are extraordinary results by any standard, and they reflect Mrs. Griffin’s vision, production expertise, and commitment to sharing the Valdosta City Schools story in innovative ways."

Recipients of the 2026 NSPRA Publications and Digital Media Awards will be recognized during the NSPRA National Seminar in New Orleans, Louisiana, where award-winning entries from across the nation will be showcased and celebrated.

The National School Public Relations Association is the leading professional organization for school communication professionals and education leaders. Its annual Publications and Digital Media Awards program honors excellence in educational communications and recognizes outstanding work that informs, engages, and connects school communities.

For more information about Valdosta City Schools, visit www.gocats.org.