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2007 Chapter Award Winners

For a complete list of Chapter Award recipients click here.

Pictured below, with each of the recipients, is 2006-2007 TSPRA President Kari Hutchison.

Professional Achievement Award
2007 Winner:
Bonnie Ellison, Director, Partnerships, Northside ISD

Bonnie Ellison has been a trailblazer in the school public relations profession for more than 30 years. Known as an innovative thinker, Bonnie is a veteran PR professional who has made her mark on school PR programs as well as Education Foundations and Business-School partnership programs. She has served TSPRA as its president as well as president of the National School Public Relations Association. While at NSPRA Bonnie led the efforts for the establishment of the Flag of Learning and Liberty. This project resulted in a cohesive display of public education pride as this new flag was raised over the capitals of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. She also was the first in the NSPRA and TSPRA organizations to earn her accreditation. In the 1970s Bonnie was one of the first public information officers in the state. Since then she has been a trendsetter, mentor, and someone we can truly count on in the public school systems. Our award recipient has had a lot of “Firsts” which says volumns about her ambition and passion for what she does. Bonnie has set a superior precedent
for those who follow her.

Most Valuable Member Award
2007 Winner:
Staci Stanfield, Director of Communications, Tomball ISD


Staci Stanfield loves her work with TSPRA. When TSPRA calls, the word NO is never in her vocabulary. In 2005 Staci successfully organized the “conference excursion” for the membership. In 2004-05 she served as the association’s parliamentarian. In 2005-06 Staci was the professional awards chair. This year she has taken the reigns as the chair of the scholarship committee. Staci also has recieved more than 40 awards in the TSPRA Star Awards program. She is a valuable member of our association always willing to assist the leadership with anything that needs to be done.

Rookie Of The Year
2007 Winner:
Ashley Holt, Communications Assistant, Pasadena ISD


Our Rookie of the Year Ashley Holt has a “take charge” attitude in promoting a positive image of the district. Ashley also has been instrumental in may special projects she has taken on herself. Under her direction, her district raised more than $29,000 for the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure and in the process honored district employees who are cancer survivors. After Hurricane Katrina Ashley helped to bring to the forefront the needs of those fleeing Louisiana to make new homes in Texas. She helped to put a human face on a national tragedy. Ashley has also been vital in promoting student and employee recognition programs. Showing the heart and soul of Pasadena ISD’s employees and students is a mission for our Rookie of the Year – Ashley Holt.

Bright Idea Award
2007 Winner:
KGBG-TV, San Benito CISD for "Get Aktive"
Pictured below (left to right): Celia Longoria, Director of Communications & Marketing, San Benito CISD; Kari Hutchison, 2006-2007 TSPRA president, Comal ISD; and Patti Perales, Station Manager, San Benito CISD/KSBC TV 17.

All it took was some food for thought for our Bright Idea Award recipients. During the 2005-06 school year, KGBG-TV Channel 17. San Benito CISD's educational access channel, implemented a public relations campaign to encourage students to eat healther and to become more active. With the help from a national cereal company, the television station staff worked together to coordinate and produce an event that would spread the message about the importance of physical activity and healthy food choices. Students, community and staff were invited to “Get Aktive” via a little “Zumbando con Kellogg’s”. A healthy breakfast was served and the performers from the national “Zumba” group flew in to perform for momre than 3,000 students, parents, and cmmunity members. With their music, everyone was moving. Guests departed the event with gifts and freebies from Kellogg’s and several items provided by the Texas Citrus Association, United Staes Department of Agriculture, Texas Governor’s Office and Texas Department of Agriculture.

Media Award
2007 Winner:
Clyde C. King, Jr., President of Hartman Newspapers
Clyde C. King, Jr., president of Hartman Newspapers, L.P., was the recipient of TSPRA’s 2007 Media Award. King, a thirty-year veteran newspaper reporter, was editor and publisher of the Fort Bend Herald for more than 20 years. Hartman Newspapers operates publications in Alvin, Anahuac, Bayshore, Brenham, Katy, Kaufman, Liberty, Rockwall and Terrell, in addition to the Herald in Rosenberg. In his nomination, King was cited for his fair and balanced coverage of Lamar CISD board meetings and district activities. His coverage, which was most often positive, was always professional while keeping the best interests of the district in mind. King’s weekly columns were venues to express his strong opinions and a forum for his extensive research in regards to school district issues. He is cited as a driving force in establishing the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (L.E.A.F.) and served as a foundation board member from 1989 until 2005. He is also the designer of the current L.E.A.F. logo. TSPRA is proud to award Clyde King, Jr. our Media Award for his exemplary journalism and strong support of public schools and our children.

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