Students place at statewide communications contest
The Fox Chapel Area School District won 16 awards in the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association’s (PenSPRA) 2025 Excellence in Education Communications Contest.
The district received Awards of Excellence in the writing category for the stories “‘Peace Poles’ Serve as Powerful Reminder” and “Shelf Care Club Goes Beyond Books to Support Students,” both of which appeared in the IN Fox Chapel Area magazine; for the League of Innovative Schools Spring Convening Program in the special purpose publication category; and for the summer 2025 IN Fox Chapel Area magazine in the magazine category.
The district received Awards of Merit for the “2024-2025 Fox Chapel Area School District State of the Schools” in the annual report category; for the stories “Robust Sustainability Efforts Put Into Practice in FCASD,” “School Resource Officer Surprised With Buddy Bench,” and “Triple Triumph” in the excellence in writing category; for the spring 2025 IN Fox Chapel Area magazine and the winter 2025 IN Fox Chapel Area magazine in the magazine category; for the Weekly Updates From the Superintendent in the newsletter material category; and for the Fox Chapel Area School District website and for the Fox Chapel Area School District athletics website in the website category.
The district received Honorable Mention awards for the Pittsburgh Voices flyer in the marketing material category and for the photos “Too Cool for School” and “Welcome Back Teachers” in the photography category.
More than 200 entries from educational institutions throughout Pennsylvania were submitted for the contest. The winners were honored at the annual PenSPRA Symposium on March 5, 2026, as part of an awards luncheon in Hershey.
Fox Chapel Area School District’s winning entries were coordinated by Bonnie Berzonski, the district’s coordinator of communications, and Jill Leonard, the district’s community engagement specialist.
PenSPRA is a nationally recognized professional organization. The group strengthens the leadership role of the school communications profession, fosters the continual development of its members, celebrates student and teacher achievement, and promotes school and community partnerships in support of education.