Dalton, GA — Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that its Communications Department has been recognized with multiple national awards by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) for outstanding achievement in school communications during the 2024–2025 school year.
The district earned two Honorable Mention awards in the 2025 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards, both in the Photo category:
“Cheering with Heart” – Honorable Mention for capturing the spirit and enthusiasm of our school community.
“Honoring a Legacy” – Honorable Mention for visually commemorating a moment of district pride and history.
In addition, the Communications team was the recipient of two 2025 Golden Achievement Awards, one of NSPRA’s highest honors for strategic communications excellence. These awards celebrate exemplary work that demonstrates outstanding success in school public relations, communication, marketing, and engagement:
Dalton Public Schools 2024 Employee Convocation – Recognized for its comprehensive planning, engaging storytelling, and alignment with district culture and morale-boosting efforts.
Honoring Excellence: The Launch of the Dalton High School Athletics Hall of Fame – Celebrated for the thoughtful rollout of a meaningful initiative that showcases pride, tradition, and community involvement. The project was a collaborative effort, and Dalton High School Athletic Director Ryan Richards was also recognized for his leadership and contributions to the success of this initiative.
These achievements were recognized at the 2025 NSPRA National Seminar held this summer in Washington, D.C., where school communicators from across the country gathered to celebrate innovation and impact in educational communications. During the seminar's General Session, Executive Director of Communications Kendra Pannell was also formally recognized as Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA)’s Communicator of the Year, an honor highlighting her exceptional leadership and influence in the field.
In addition to her state recognition, Pannell represented Georgia on the national stage as one of NSPRA’s top 26 school communicators for 2024-25— a national recognition that highlights her exemplary work and impact in the field of school public relations.
“We are incredibly proud of the Communications team for telling the story of Dalton Public Schools with such heart, creativity, and professionalism,” said Superintendent Steven Craft. “These national awards are a testament to their strategic approach and commitment to celebrating the achievements and spirit of our district.”
The award-winning team is led by Executive Director of Communications Kendra Pannell and Assistant Director of Communications Ashley Grycz. Since these projects were completed, the team has welcomed Communications Specialist Cindy Hernandez, and they are excited to continue sharing the stories that make Dalton Public Schools exceptional.
As the 2025–2026 school year begins, the Communications Department remains dedicated to championing the voices, achievements, and values of the DPS community.