School District of Pickens County

The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) is proud to announce that it has received 35 awards from the South Carolina Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (SC/NSPRA) for outstanding communication efforts. This achievement places SDPC first in the state — the highest total of any school district in South Carolina this year and an increase from the 30 awards earned in 2025.

The recognitions were presented during the 2026 SC/NSPRA Rewards for Excellence celebration held on May 1, 2026, in Columbia. This program honors school districts and education agencies for exceptional public relations, marketing, and engagement work. This year's competition included 374 entries, judged by public relations professionals from across the country. 155 outstanding programs were selected for awards from the 374 entries.

Fourteen SDPC schools were honored, along with the SDPC Work-Based Learning Program, the SDPC Human Resources department, and the district-level Communications Department. Schools recognized include:

• 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 and Technology

• Pickens Elementary

• R.C. Edwards Middle

• R.H. Gettys Middle

• Six Mile Elementary

• West End Elementary

Seven entries earned Best in Show honors — the highest distinction in each award category. Best in Show recipients included Mic'd Up Math and Weekend Wonders (Liberty Elementary), Liberty Middle School: A Golden Moment (Liberty Middle), "Come Shoot with Me" — Golden Arrows Family Day at West End (West End Elementary), The Weekly Wow: Student Voice in Action (Six Mile Elementary), Gateway to Innovation: A Bold Investment in the Future (Gateway to Innovation), and McKissick Academy of Science and Technology: Magnet Promo (McKissick Academy).

"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, SDPC Chief Communications Officer. "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 SC/NSPRA Rewards for Excellence program features three categories of recognition:

• Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards – For high-quality print and digital materials such as newsletters, videos, websites, and social media campaigns.

• Golden Achievement Awards – For strategic projects that demonstrate thoughtful planning and measurable impact.

• Gold Medallion Awards – For comprehensive communication programs grounded in strategic best practices.

SDPC has earned 3 awards in 2022, 22 in 2023, 27 in 2024, 30 in 2025, and 35 in 2026 — a 30% increase over 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, and has now accumulated more than 120 state and national recognitions over the past five years.

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

To learn more about SC/NSPRA, visit www.scnspra.org.