The Laredo Independent School District’s Division of Communications and Media Services was recognized among the best in the State of Texas after winning a total of 27 awards including 15 Gold Star Awards, eight Silver Star Awards, and four Bronze Star Awards from the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA). The awards were announced at TSPRA’s annual Star Awards Celebration held February 19, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas during the association’s 63st annual conference.
The Office of Communications also received the following awards: Gold Star Awards: Flyer “Memorial Day Ad” by Claudia Garcia, Calendar/Planner “Scholastic Calendar” by Claudia Garcia, Invitations/Announcements/Postcards/Thank You Notes “Heights Elementary School Library Ribbon Cutting Ceremony by Claudia Garcia, “Cigarroa High School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony” by Claudia Garcia, and “Teacher Incentive Allotment Invitation” by Ashley Salas, Writing “Commentary: Electric Commencement” by Veronica Castillon, Published News or Feature “GECHS student accepted to West Point” by Bobby Trevino, “Kawas Elementary School Functional Living Skills (FLS) students publish first book” by Ashley Salas, “LISD celebrates Little Medical School Graduation” by Bobby Trevino, “LISD graduating seniors receive Kazen fellowship Program Scholarship” by Ashley Salas, “Salazar wins Laredo ISD Spelling Bee for the third consecutive year” by Veronica Castillon, and “Trevino Magnet School student accepted to Interlochen Center for the Arts” by Bobby Trevino.
Silver Star Awards: Published News or Feature “LISD teachers to be awarded sizable salary increase” by Veronica Castillon, and “Perfect Attendance pays off with new car for Martin High School student” by Veronica Castillon, Published News Release, Edited “Laredo ISD canine wins Top Dog Award” by Veronica Castillon, “Laredo ISD implements high school Esports Program” by Bobby Trevino, “LISD Secondary Science Fair Grand Champion advances to International Science Fair” by Bobby Trevino, and “LISD Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council unlocking leaders” by Bobby Trevino.
Bronze Star Awards: Printed Newsletter “Las Escuelas-June 2024 Edition” by Communications staff, Advertisement“LISD celebrates Blue Ribbon status” by Claudia Garcia, and “LISD National Police Week Ad” by Ashley Salas, Logo, Trademark, Symbols “LISD Blazing a Trail Scholastic Year Theme” by Claudia Garcia.
The LISD Instructional Television Department also received the following awards: Gold Star Awards: Video – Feature Story “Cigarroa High School Robotics Team State Championship” by David Flores, Armando Gomez, and Julio Ovando, and “Nixon One Act Play” by David Flores, Armando Gomez, and Julio Ovando, Video Promotional “Showcase to Success” by David Flores, Armando Gomez, and Julio Ovando.
Silver Star Awards: Video – General Events, “Zachry Elementary School Kinder Graduation” by David Flores, Armando Gomez, and Julio Ovando, Video Production in another language Other than English “Registracion en Linea” by David Flores, Armando Gomez, and Julio Ovando.
Each year, TSPRA recognizes communicators in school districts, education foundations, education associations and organizations for their work in print and electronic media categories. There are 57 main categories covering various media such as newsletters, programs, posters, reports, writing, image/identity packages, photography, and graphics. This year, 1,663 entries were received in the annual contest. Entries receive Bronze, Silver, and Gold Star Awards based on set criteria.
TSPRA, based in Austin, is a professional organization whose members are dedicated to improving public education in Texas by promoting effective public relations practices, providing professional development for its members, and improving communications between Texans and their public schools.