The Texas School Public Relations Association presented Pasadena ISD’s Ashley Holt with the organization’s Rookie of the Year Award at the group’s annual convention in Austin recently.

Holt has served as the district’s communications assistant since August 2005. She was selected for the award because of her creative, dedicated and professional approach to school communications.

“Ashley has promoted many of the great things happening in our district in the areas of student and staff achievement,” said Kirk Lewis, Pasadena ISD superintendent. “She goes the extra mile to show the true heart of our staff and students to those in and out of our district.”

In her position, Holt promotes the district through her publications and writing talents. She is editor of the district’s “Partners” newsletter and her work is regularly published in the district’s newsletter, “The Pinnacle,” and the Pasadena Citizen and South Belt Leader newspapers. Several of Holt’s articles have also been published statewide in Texas School Business magazine. She has won five Gold Star Awards from TSPRA for her writing, including one Best of Category Award this year.

A series of stories from Holt on the district’s efforts to help Hurricane Katrina victims caught the eyes of many. She did stories that showed how the district’s employees and students’ families had taken Katrina families into their homes and provided them with food, clothing and other essentials. Her stories were picked up by local ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates and were even highlighted on the CBS news program “48 Hours.”

Beyond her writing, she has also initiated many efforts that have promoted a positive image of Pasadena ISD. One such example was in her promotions of the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. She not only promoted what the district was doing to raise funds for breast cancer research, but became personally led to do something more to lead the cause. Much in part to her marketing efforts, speaking to employees and students and her spirit, she helped Pasadena ISD employees raise more than $32,000 to go toward breast cancer research.

In addition, Holt is the coordinator for the district’s Vanguard Community Service Awards, where the top 10 senior class community service leaders at all five Pasadena ISD high schools are honored for their efforts in helping others.

Holt has been vital in the expansion of employee recognition programs in the district. Last year, the district began its “Together We Can” employee recognition awards to honor employees on a broader scale and boost morale in the district. She played a key role in the planning and decorating for the event.

Holt is a Pasadena ISD alumna, graduating from Sam Rayburn High School in 2001. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in May 2005, double majoring in business journalism and business marketing.

“As a graduate of Pasadena schools, Ashley believes it is important to show the great things happening in our schools,” said Mark Kramer, the district’s communications specialist. “Showing the ‘heart and soul’ of Pasadena ISD’s employees and students is a mission she takes to heart.”