Dalton, GA – Dalton Public Schools proudly announces that three key members of its leadership and communications team have been recognized with top honors at the Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA) annual awards. These awards recognize excellence in leadership, public relations, and storytelling within public education.
Nick Sun, Deputy Superintendent of Dalton Public Schools, was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Leadership in School/Community Relations Award. This prestigious award is given to individuals who, while not directly responsible for public relations, demonstrate extraordinary leadership in strengthening the ties between schools and the communities they serve. A portion of Mr. Sun’s nomination reflects the high regard in which he is held:“In every way, Nick Sun embodies the spirit of service. He’s always there when our teachers, students, and community need him, and he does it all with a level of dedication that’s truly inspiring. Nick is more than deserving of GSPRA's 2024 Outstanding Leadership in School/Community Relations Award. He’s the epitome of what it means to lead with heart, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him in our community."
Kendra Pannell, Executive Director of Communications for Dalton Public Schools, was honored with the 2024 Marie Wofford Professional Award, recognizing her outstanding work in school public relations. This award highlights Ms. Pannell’s exceptional contributions to enhancing communication efforts and strengthening school-community relationships. Her nomination reflects the high caliber of her work:"In light of her outstanding achievements and her commitment to the field of school public relations, I believe Kendra Pannell exemplifies the excellence that the Marie Wofford Professional Award seeks to recognize. Her contributions have not only enhanced the effectiveness of school communications but have also strengthened the relationships between the school district and the community it serves. I am confident that Kendra would be an outstanding nominee for NSPRA's School Communicator of the Year Award, and I highly recommend her for this well-deserved recognition."
Kendra’s award also makes her the 2024 Georgia School Communicator of the Year, qualifying her as Georgia’s nominee for the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) School Communicator of the Year Award.
Ashley Smith, Communications Specialist for Dalton Public Schools, was celebrated for her excellence in storytelling, receiving a Gold Award for Photography and two Silver Awards—one for photography and another for excellence in writing. Kendra Pannell, Executive Director of Communications, praised her contributions: "Ashley is an absolute powerhouse in our communications team. Her talent for telling the story of our school system is truly unmatched, and she does an incredible job bringing our stories to life. Her creativity, dedication, and attention to detail never cease to amaze me. We are so fortunate to have her as part of our team!"
Through their innovative leadership and creative storytelling, these individuals are setting a new standard for school public relations, ensuring that Dalton Public Schools continues to thrive as a pillar of academic success and community collaboration.