The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) is proud to announce that fourteen schools, the SDPC Work-Based Learning Program, the SDPC Human Resources department, and the SDPC Communications department have earned a combined 35 awards from the South Carolina chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (SC/NSPRA) at the organization’s annual celebration held on May 1, 2026, in Columbia. The recognition places SDPC at first in the state — up from second the previous year — and continues a steady pattern of growth that has earned the district more than 120 state-level awards over the past five years.

SC/NSPRA evaluated 374 total entries from schools, school districts, education agencies, and associations across South Carolina, recognizing 155 outstanding programs. Public relations veterans with extensive experience in educational and business communications served as judges. This year, SC/NSPRA recognized the following SDPC schools for their award-winning entries: Central Academy of the Arts, D.W. Daniel High, East End Elementary, Easley High, Gateway to Innovation, Liberty Elementary, Liberty Middle, Liberty Primary, McKissick Academy of Science & Technology, Pickens Elementary, R.C. Edwards Middle, R.H. Gettys Middle, Six Mile Elementary, and West End Elementary. The SDPC Work-Based Learning Program, the SDPC Human Resources department, and the SDPC Communications department received District-level recognition.

“For our schools, programs, and our Communications Department to reach this level of recognition (first in the state) is something our entire community should feel proud of,” said Dr. Darian Byrd, Chief Communications Officer for SDPC. “What makes this most special is that 14 different schools contributed winning entries. Strong communication isn’t happening in just a few places; it’s happening in classrooms and front offices across Pickens County every single day. That’s a reflection of the teachers, principals, and staff who show up for students and families and work hard to keep our community connected and informed.”

The Rewards for Excellence Program features three award programs:

Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards

· For individual products designed to improve communication. This program recognizes outstanding work in print and digital publications, video, audio, websites, social media, and more. These are focused on stand-alone projects and documents. Golden Achievement Awards

· For a single project or an aspect of a comprehensive program. This program recognizes outstanding, strategic work in all aspects of school public relations, communications, marketing, and engagement. Gold Medallion Awards

· For comprehensive public relations programs. This program recognizes superior educational public relations programs and campaigns grounded in strategic communication best practices.

SDPC Site Golden Achievement Awards Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards

School-Level Awards

Central Academy of the Arts — 1

D.W. Daniel High School — 1

Easley High School 1 1

East End Elementary — 2

Gateway to Innovation — 1 ★ Best in Show

Liberty Elementary School 1 ★ Best in Show 3 (incl. 1 ★ Best in Show)

Liberty Middle School — 2 (incl. 1 ★ Best in Show)

Liberty Primary School — 2

McKissick Academy of Science & Technology — 1 ★ Best in Show

Pickens Elementary School 1 —

R.C. Edwards Middle School — 2

R.H. Gettys Middle School — 1

Six Mile Elementary School — 1 ★ Best in Show

West End Elementary School — 3 (incl. 1 ★ Best in Show)

District-Level Awards

SDPC Communications Department 2 6

SDPC Human Resources Department — 2

SDPC Work-Based Learning 1 —

TOTAL – 35 Awards 6 29

SDPC earned 3 awards in 2022, 22 awards in 2023, 27 awards in 2024, 30 awards in 2025, and 35 awards in 2026 — a 30% increase in the past three years. The district has also earned four national-level Golden Achievement Awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) during that span.

The 2026 recognition places SDPC first in the state (up from second last year) and continues a steady pattern of growth that has earned the district more than 120 state-level and national-level awards over the past five years.

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The SDPC Communications Department is led by Dr. Darian Byrd, Chief Communications Officer, and Joy Ellison, Coordinator of School Promotion and Communications Development.

SC/NSPRA is an affiliate of the National School Public Relations Association. The state chapter is composed of over 140 school public relations practitioners, superintendents, and other educational professionals from across the state. The organization strives to foster development in the field of school public relations and to encourage meaningful community involvement in and understanding of the public school system. Visit www.scnspra.org for more information.