Cumberland County Schools earns NCSPRA “Best of the Best” honor and eight statewide communications awards

By Staff Report, posted Mar 11, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Front row (left to right): Ruth Rivera, Laurie Pender, Angel Walters and Elizabeth Stiff. Back row (left to right): Clifton Gore, Renarta Clanton Moyd, Dadma Consalvi and Dr. Lindsay Whitley. Not pictured: Angelic White. Photo provided by CCS.

Cumberland County Schools’ (CCS) Communications and Community Engagement Department has once again been recognized for excellence in school communications, earning nine Blue Ribbon Awards from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) for innovative and effective public relations efforts.
Among the honors, CCS received a prestigious “Best of the Best” Award in the Special Events and Programs category for “Bracy on Board” Launch of the FACE Cruiser. This distinction represents the highest recognition presented in the category statewide, awarded to the single entry judged to be the most outstanding among all submissions.
In addition to the “Best of the Best” honor, CCS received two Gold Awards, six Silver Awards and one Bronze Award, recognizing communications initiatives that informed families, strengthened community partnerships and highlighted student success across the district.
NCSPRA presented the awards during its 2025 Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony held March 6, 2026, at the Guilford County Schools Community Education Center in Greensboro, N.C.
CCS was honored for the following projects across multiple categories:
Gold Awards

The Eight Key Things Families Need to Know for 2025-26 – Strategic Communications
“Bracy on Board” Launch of FACE Cruiser – Special Events & Programs

Silver Awards

Premier Professionals Gala: A Celebration of Educational Excellence – Special Events & Programs
CCS Now Recruiting Family Ambassadors to Strengthen School-Community Connections – Special Events & Programs
Dr. Bracy’s Swearing-In Ceremony & Reception – Special Events & Programs
Faith Leaders and CCS Collaborate to Champion Student Success – Special Events & Programs
Dr. Connelly’s Retirement Celebration – Special Events & Programs
Cumberland County Schools 2025 Annual Report – Publications (Print and Electronic)

Bronze Award

CCS Strategic Marketing Campaign – Strategic Communications

Dr. Lindsay Whitley, associate superintendent for Communications and Community Engagement at Cumberland County Schools, said the recognition reflects the team’s commitment to keeping families informed and building strong connections throughout the community.
“These awards highlight the creativity, dedication and collaboration that drive our communications efforts each day,” said Dr. Whitley in a press release. “Our goal is always to ensure families, staff and community members stay informed and connected while celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our students and schools.”
NCSPRA annually recognizes outstanding communications through its Blue Ribbon Awards program, which highlights exemplary work by school communications professionals across North Carolina. Entries are evaluated in categories such as marketing, digital media engagement, electronic media, excellence in writing, publications, image and graphic design, photography and special events and programs.
The entries are judged by an out-of-state panel of communications professionals.
CCS was among school districts statewide recognized for communications excellence this year, reinforcing the district’s continued leadership in strategic communications and community engagement.
CSPRA is a professional organization serving more than 175 school communications professionals across North Carolina.
For more information about NCSPRA, visit www.ncspra.org.

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