Members from Pasadena ISD's Communications Department brought home a record 11 Gold Star Awards from the Texas School Public Relations Association's annual conference in Austin recently.

The total of Gold Star Awards earned by Pasadena this year is the most in recent history. In addition, communications staffers were awarded three Silver Star Awards for various publications and photography entries. More than 1,100 entries statewide were submitted for the contest.

Communications Assistant Ashley Holt captured a Gold Star Award and Best of Category for her feature story, “The Sound of Sacrifice.” The feature reflected on the life and contributions of Pasadena High School graduate Bobby Shaw, who was a musician in the United States Navy and a Pearl Harbor war hero.

Holt also won three other Gold Star awards for a series of articles highlighting Pasadena ISD’s relief efforts to help Hurricane Katrina victims. The three articles were published in Texas School Business magazine.

Communications Specialist Mark Kramer won three individual Gold Star Awards. He took gold in the published news/feature category for his feature on district alumni who have risen to prestige in various careers. Kramer also won for sports photography and his concept and design of an advertisement for the McDonald’s Texas Invitational basketball tournament. The tournament is the major fundraiser for the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation. Kramer serves on the steering committee for the tournament.

The district’s external newsletter, “Pinnacle,” was also a gold star winner. Contributing to the Pinnacle are Kramer, Holt, Graphics Coordinator Bruce Stone and Candace Ahlfinger, associate superintendent for communications and community relations.

Holt, graphic artist LaVonna Alexander-Carew and former graphics coordinator Linda Aber won gold for the Vanguard Community Service Awards booklet. Aber and Alexander-Carew also captured a gold star for their Elementary Food Service Calendar. Aber was also a winner for her design of the Education Foundation’s Wall of Honor dedication invitation.

Winning Silver Star Awards were the communications staff for the district’s image and identity marketing mailers, Holt and Alexander-Carew for the “Partners” newsletter. Kramer also won for another sports photography entry.

The district’s Printing Department played a vital role in the production of these award-winning publications. Members of the printing department include Maria Alcala, LaVonna Alexander-Carew, Rachel Arevalo, Mike Kravetz, Rosie Lopez, Christine Luis, Gwen Nguyen-Tang, Cody O’Quinn, Joan Stanley and Van To.

The Texas School Public Relations Association is a professional organization dedicated to promoting public schools through effective communications. TSPRA is an award-winning chapter of the National School Public Relations Association chartered in 1962. With more than 540 members, TSPRA is comprised primarily of public information officers and communications directors serving the school districts and educational associations and agencies in Texas. The membership also includes superintendents, principals and other school administrators.