Linda Danahy has been recognized for outstanding achievement in educational communications by the New York School Public Relations Association for work she performed for Southwestern Central School in Jamestown. She is a public relations specialist for Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES and is employed at Springville-Griffith Institute Central School as well. Award-winning recipients in NYSPRA’s 30th-Annual Communications Awards were honored on October 16 at the annual NYSPRA Awards Luncheon held in conjunction with the 2009 New York State School Boards Association Convention in New York City.
The Southwestern Central School newsletter, Spotlight, received an Award of Merit in the contest. With more than 400 entries in 14 categories from across New York state, the 2009 contest was a closely drawn competition.
Danahy previously received an Award of Honor for the Springville-Griffith Institute CSD newsletter. She lives in Gowanda and is the mother of Karlin Matwijow and grandmother of Seamus Matwijow, age 2.
“This year’s winners should feel especially proud of their awards which recognize excellence in school communications,” said Marcia Kelley, NYSPRA president and school information officer of the East Syracuse-Minoa Central School District. “Entries were judged by a distinguished panel of professionals from around the country. The judging was very competitive, with only one-third of all entries receiving awards.”
NYSPRA is a chapter of the National School Public Relations Association. As a statewide group of professional school communicators, members are committed to the development and dissemination of communications designed to engage parents, staff, community residents, partners in education and other stakeholders.
The statewide awards provide an opportunity for recognition of the outstanding work performed by school communication professionals who support student achievement and school improvement initiatives through effective communications.