The work of the Capital Region BOCES Engagement & Development Services Communications team has been recognized at the national level through the National School Public Relations Association’s (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards. Receiving 21 awards, the team’s entries represent the positive, impactful work that fosters collaborative, supportive and engaged educational environments while building trust and connections.
Announced June 5, 2026, the honors include 10 First Place Awards of Excellence. NSPRA’s Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards recognize outstanding education publications and marketing/informational materials (print and electronic), video/TV/radio programs, social media and websites. Winning projects were selected from thousands of entries nationwide and were judged against those from similar organizations based on their overall excellence and comparative quality.
EDS team members earned awards for work that elevates the voices of students, staff and administrators and promotes impactful programs, as well as highlighting the successes of their client school districts.
Below is a full list of the EDS team’s winning projects. Congratulations to all 2026 NSPRA Excellence Award winners!
Award of Excellence
Excellence in Writing – After 14 Years as School Leader, BH-BL Superintendent Dr. McGrath Announces His Retirement, Tara Mitchell
Excellence in Writing – Extra Credit: Students Tackle College-Level Work, Diane Donato
Special Purpose Publication – Capital Region BOCES Annual Report for 2024-25, Patrice Vivirito, Jennifer Sampson and Erica Miller
Special Purpose Publication – BH-BL High School Curriculum Guide and Profile, 2026-27, Tara Mitchell, Erica Miller, Margaret Murphy and Justin Andrews
Website – Potsdam Central School District, Ryan Novak, Faris Omeragic, Conner Dickson, Sarah McNamara and Jesse Gigandet
Website – Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District, Marj Kline, Faris Omeragic, Sarah McNamara, Eliza Nolan and Ashley Rogers
Website – Mayfield Central School District, Gianluca Puorto, Ashley Rogers, Conner Dickson, Hannah Hurley and Alexandra Ruggeri
Financial Publication – Jamesville-DeWitt Budget Newsletter 2025, Sarah Germain, Margaret Murphy and Danyell Monk
Video – Youth Belonging in Leadership – Lindsay Quackenbush, Jake Palmateer and Toma Vardhami
Social Media – Niskayuna CSD Instagram: Celebration Season, Lindsay Quackenbush
Award of Merit
Website – Schoharie Central School District Marj Kline, Conner Dickson, Jesse Gigandet, Ashley Rogers and Jake Palmateer
Video – Who is Someone Who Makes BKW Special? Toma Vardhami
Video – Welcoming Liverpool Superintendent Mr. Chapman, Emily Burkhard and Eliza Nolan
Honorable Mention
Excellence in Writing– Forging Career and Neural Pathways Through Resilience: How community support and an unwillingness to give up shaped one Poland alum’s career in biomedical research, Erin Johnson
Video – Goshen celebrates its Milestone Employees, Emily Burkhard and Christina Gore
Photography – Meeting the Mascot, Marcy Reisinger
Video – Jamesville-DeWitt Adaptive Toys Capstone, Sarah Germain and Danyell Monk
Three awards submitted by clients also came from the EDS team:
Diane Donato, Christine Carpenter and Danyell Monk earned an Award of Merit for Video – Students Help Craft BIRDS Motto, Give it Wings on behalf of Voorheesville Central School District
Margaret Murphy earned recognition for the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District calendar, and Emily Burkhard earned another two awards for her video work in Broadalbin-Perth.