GROUP ONE
Digital Organizing CAMPAIGN
SMALL STATE AFFILIATES
Award of Excellence:
HSTA supports members after deadly Maui wildfires
Hawaii State Teachers Association
EARNED MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
Opposition to Lowering Professional Standards
North Dakota United
GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL AFFAIRS CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
‘We need a hero.’ Urge lawmakers to fight the youth vaping epidemic in Hawai’i
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Paid Media CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
All Together Campaign
North Dakota United
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
HSTA supports members after deadly Maui wildfires
Hawaii State Teachers Association
SPECIAL EVENT CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
HSTA Convention
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Team Collaboration
Award of Excellence:
Contract Ratification
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Commemoration/Tribute
Award of Excellence:
HSTA State Convention’s 50th Anniversary
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Awards of Distinction:
Nominate an HSTA member for the prestigious 2024 S.T.A.C.Y. Award
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Tireless teacher advocate, tough negotiator Joan Husted dies at 85
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Design-Branding
Award of Excellence:
UEA Rebrand 2024
Utah Education Association
Design-Graphic Elements
Award of Excellence:
2023 WVEA Delegate Assembly Logo
West Virginia Education Association
Design-EDITORIAL LAYOUT
Award of Excellence:
Taking a Global View of Education
North Dakota United
Digital-Electronic Newsletter
Award of Excellence:
Member Matters email newsletter – 1
Member Matters email newsletter – 2
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Digital-Podcast
Award of Excellence:
Fried Okra (okea.org/friedokra)
Oklahoma Education Association
Digital-Social Media Use & Strategy
Awards of Excellence:
HSTA supports members after deadly Maui wildfires
Hawaii State Teachers Association
I Am WVEA
West Virginia Education Association
Digital-Website
Award of Excellence:
HSTA.org
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Interdisciplinary Excellence
Award of Excellence:
Bargaining Unit 05 members overwhelmingly ratify four-year contract
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Publications-MAGAZINE
Award of Excellence:
United Voices
North Dakota United
Publications-MEMBER MATERIALS
Award of Excellence:
WVEA New Teacher Handbook
WVEA Member Benefits Brochure
West Virginia Education Association
Publications-NEWSLETTER/NEWSPAPER
Award of Excellence:
WVEA Today Extra
West Virginia Education Association
PUBLICATIONs-Special Issues
Award of Excellence:
WVEA New Teacher Handbook
West Virginia Education Association
PHOTOGRAPHY-Editorial Storytelling
Award of Excellence:
Read Across West Virginia Events
West Virginia Education Association
PHOTOGRAPHY-Portrait
Award of Excellence:
WVEA Today Cover
West Virginia Education Association
VIDEO-EXTERNAL
Award of Excellence:
NEARI Promise to Parents
NEA Rhode Island
Video-Feature STORY
Award of Excellence:
Hawaii Island teacher receives 2023 HSTA STACY Award for Teaching Excellence
Hawaii State Teachers Association
VIDEO-INTERNAL (Long Form)
Award of Excellence:
HSTA honors Kumu’s Cupboard president with 2023 Friend of Youth Award
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Awards of Distinction:
ND United Early Career Educator Cohorts
North Dakota United
NEON (New Educators of Oklahoma Network)
Oklahoma Education Association
VIDEO-INTERNAL (Short Form)
Award of Excellence:
HSTA’s Teacher Appreciation Week grand-prize winner gets a special surprise
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Video-NEWS STORY
Award of Excellence:
Committee to support new educators added to HSTA’s permanent roster
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Writing-FEATURE STORY
Awards of Excellence:
HSTA honors Kumu’s Cupboard president with 2023 Friend of Youth Award
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Oklahoma Education Association
Award of Distinction:
Nānākuli High and Intermediate teacher will expand award-winning student sustainability program to Maui
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Writing-INVESTIGATIVE/ANALYTICAL REPORTING
Award of Excellence:
Teacher vacancies drop this year partly because of HSTA advocacy
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Writing-NEWS STORY
Award of Excellence:
Maui teacher saves former student from wildfires
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Award of Distinction:
Union-Busting Bill Dramatically Defeated in House Vote
Idaho Education Association
Writing-OPINION/EDITORIAL WRITING
Award of Excellence:
Column: Support bill to stop flavored-tobacco sales
Hawaii State Teachers Association
GROUP Two
Medium STATE AFFILIATES
EARNED MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
No Vouchers. Not in Nebraska.
Nebraska State Education Association
GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL AFFAIRS CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
Fully Funded Era
Colorado Education Association
Paid Media CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
Nebraska Public Schools: The Heart of Our Communities
Nebraska State Education Association
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
Support Our Schools Nebraska
Nebraska State Education Association
Award of Distinction:
Connecticut Education Association
SPECIAL EVENT CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
CEA 175th Anniversary Podcast
CEA 175th Anniversary Timeline Poster
CEA Advisor 175th Anniversary Gala Edition
Connecticut Education Association
Team Collaboration
Award of Excellence:
Learn and Lead Professional Development
Arizona Education Association
Commemoration/Tribute
Award of Excellence:
Scott Phillips: 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year
Nebraska State Education Association
Design-Branding
Awards of Excellence:
AEA Rebranding
Arizona Education Association
VEA’s Learning Portal Lighthouse Logo
Virginia Education Association
Design-Graphic Elements
Awards of Excellence:
AEA logo
Arizona Education Association
Support Our Schools Nebraska logo
Nebraska State Education Association
Awards of Distinction:
Missouri NEA
Virginia Education Association
Design-EDITORIAL LAYOUT
Award of Excellence:
What’s at Stake When We Go to the Polls
Virginia Education Association
Design-Visual Storytelling
Award of Excellence:
What has NSEA done for you?
Nebraska State Education Association
Digital-Electronic Newsletter
Awards of Excellence:
GAE Voices – 1
GAE Voices – 2
Georgia Association of Educators
In the Loop
Missouri NEA
Digital-Podcast
Award of Excellence:
Two T’s in a Pod
Connecticut Education Association
Digital-Social Media Use & Strategy
Award of Excellence:
NSEA: Just One
Nebraska State Education Association
Award of Distinction:
Missouri NEA
Digital-Website
Award of Excellence:
MNEA.org
Missouri NEA
Award of Distinction:
Nebraska State Education Association
Publications-MAGAZINE
Award of Excellence:
KNOW Magazine – Summer 2023
KNOW Magazine – Winter 2023
Georgia Association of Educators
Award of Distinction:
Virginia Education Association
Publications-MEMBER MATERIALS
Award of Excellence:
Membership Matters
Connecticut Education Association
Award of Distinction:
2023-24 NSEA Member Guide
Nebraska State Education Association
Publications-NEWSLETTER/NEWSPAPER
Award of Excellence:
ISEA Communique
Iowa State Education Association
Awards of Distinction:
Connecticut Education Association
Kentucky Education Association
PUBLICATIONs-Special Issues
Award of Excellence:
Black Lives Matter Toolkit
Virginia Education Association
Award of Distinction:
2023-2024 Colorado State of Education Report
Colorado Education Association
PHOTOGRAPHY-Editorial Storytelling
Award of Excellence:
Not in Nebraska
Nebraska State Education Association
Award of Distinction:
MEMBERS, ALLIES UNITE TO SAVE OUR SCHOOLS: Voters fight off private school vouchers in Nebraska
Nebraska State Education Association
PHOTOGRAPHY-Photojournalism
Award of Excellence:
Not in Nebraska
Nebraska State Education Association
Award of Distinction:
NSEA University: Organizing, bargaining and student behavior learnings at conference
Nebraska State Education Association
PHOTOGRAPHY-Portrait
Award of Excellence:
A Change in Tune
Nebraska State Education Association
VIDEO-EXTERNAL
Award of Excellence:
LB1402: It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing
Nebraska State Education Association
VIDEO-INTERNAL (Long Form)
Award of Excellence:
Virginia Tech Graduate Labor Union Rally
Virginia Education Association
Award of Distinction:
Petition Volunteer Instructions
Nebraska State Education Association
VIDEO-INTERNAL (Short Form)
Award of Excellence:
Fund Our Schools rally
Virginia Education Association
Writing-FEATURE STORY
Award of Excellence:
Learning the Language of Poverty: An Educator’s Role in Breaking Poverty Barriers for Students
Nebraska State Education Association
Awards of Distinction:
A CHANGE IN TUNE: Grievance hearing strikes a chord with school board, results in win for many
Nebraska State Education Association
Nebraska State Education Association
Writing-INVESTIGATIVE/ANALYTICAL REPORTING
Award of Excellence:
Learning the Language of Poverty: An Educator’s Role in Breaking Poverty Barriers for Students
Nebraska State Education Association
Award of Distinction:
Educator Pay: Highest salaries are achieved through collective bargaining
Missouri NEA
Writing-NEWS STORY
Award of Excellence:
BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT: Strong membership and unity in times of uncertainty
Nebraska State Education Association
Awards of Distinction:
Nebraska State Education Association
Disrespect, Defiance, and Fear
Virginia Education Association
Writing-OPINION/EDITORIAL WRITING
Awards of Excellence:
Op-Ed: Stamford Deserves More From its Superintendent
Connecticut Education Association
Kentucky teachers are leaving our schools. We can’t afford to not pay them/Opinion
Kentucky Education Association
Award of Distinction:
Access to Food is a Fundamental Right
Nebraska State Education Association
GROUP Three
Large STATE AFFILIATES
EARNED MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
Creating Pennsylvania’s Student Teacher Stipend Program
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Award of Distinction:
North Shore Paid Parental Leave
Massachusetts Teachers Association
GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL AFFAIRS CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
Stop vouchers in Illinois
Illinois Education Association
Award of Distinction:
Michigan Education Association
Paid Media CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
Educators Are Worth More: Mr. Carlson
Educators Are Worth More: Ms. Wilcox
Support Mn Educators (campaign microsite)
Education Minnesota
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
#FixTier6
New York State United Teachers
SPECIAL EVENT CAMPAIGN
Award of Excellence:
A Summer Celebration of Diverse Readers
Ohio Education Association
Steve Lemken NEA-State Affiliate Collaboration
Award of Excellence:
Washington Education Association Teacher Residency and Emergency Substitute Program
Washington Education Association
Commemoration/Tribute
Awards of Excellence:
30 Years of Hipp Grants
New Jersey Education Association
2024 NYS Teacher of the Year Zach Arenz
New York State United Teachers
Award of Distinction:
Lowell art teacher’s paintings honor school librarian’s courage
Michigan Education Association
Design-Branding
Awards of Excellence:
MTA 2024 Annual Meeting of Delegates
Massachusetts Teachers Association
Induction, Orientation, and Mentoring Committee branding
Illinois Education Association
Design-EDITORIAL LAYOUT
Award of Excellence:
Shared Path
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Design-Graphic Elements
Awards of Excellence:
School Nurse Connection
New York State United Teachers
Duty Free Lunch Podcast logo
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Awards of Distinction:
New York State United Teachers
Ohio Education Association
Design-Visual Storytelling
Award of Excellence:
MTA Full-Service Community Schools Timeline WINTER SKILLS CONFERENCE
Massachusetts Teachers Association
Digital-Electronic Newsletter
Award of Excellence:
NJEA Advocates Update – 1
NJEA Advocates Update – 2
New Jersey Education Association
Digital-Podcast
Award of Excellence:
Public Education Matters – S4, Ep. 8
Public Education Matters – S4, Ep. 9
Public Education Matters – S4, Ep. 13
Ohio Education Association
Digital-Social Media Use & Strategy
Award of Excellence:
@nysut on Instagram
New York State United Teachers
Digital-Website
Awards of Excellence:
Fund Our Future
New York State United Teachers
WEA – Strengthening Washington’s Public Schools
Washington Education Association
Interdisciplinary Excellence
Award of Excellence:
Riley Ackley
New York State United Teachers
Award of Distinction:
Dana Fournier
New York State United Teachers
Publications-MAGAZINE
Award of Excellence:
MEA Voice
Michigan Education Association
Awards of Distinction:
California Teachers Association
New Jersey Education Association
Publications-MEMBER MATERIALS
Award of Excellence:
All Member Postcard
New Jersey Education Association
Publications-NEWSLETTER/NEWSPAPER
Award of Excellence:
We2.0
Washington Education Association
Award of Distinction:
California Teachers Association
PUBLICATIONs-Special Issues
Award of Excellence:
Reimagining Public Education Community Schools
California Teachers Association
Award of Distinction:
New Jersey Education Association
PHOTOGRAPHY-Editorial Storytelling
Award of Excellence:
Amistad Field Trip Experience
New Jersey Education Association
PHOTOGRAPHY-Photojournalism
Award of Excellence:
East Bay Coalition-Rally for Student Success
California Teachers Association
Awards of Distinction:
MTA Union News
Massachusetts Teachers Association
A voice in the hearing world
Washington Education Association
PHOTOGRAPHY-Portrait
Awards of Excellence:
Andrea Reyna – I’m Here: Building Brave & Safe Spaces
California Teachers Association
Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Massachusetts Teachers Association
VIDEO-EXTERNAL
Award of Excellence:
RA 2023: We Are NYSUT!
New York State United Teachers
VIDEO-INTERNAL (Long Form)
Award of Excellence:
In Rural Galway, Educators Thwart Censorship Attempts
New York State United Teachers
VIDEO-INTERNAL (Short Form)
Award of Excellence:
Stop School Voucher Expansion
Ohio Education Association
Award of Distinction:
MEA Ignite
Michigan Education Association
Writing-FEATURE STORY
Awards of Excellence:
Brave Spaces
California Teachers Association
Award winner changes lives and longs to thank educator who saved him long ago
Michigan Education Association
Breaking the “Problem Child” Myth
New Jersey Education Association
A Father and Daughter’s Shared Path to Becoming Certified Teachers
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Award of Distinction:
Defending Our Schools and Students
California Teachers Association
Writing-INVESTIGATIVE/ANALYTICAL REPORTING
Award of Excellence:
AI in the Classroom: The Promise and Pitfalls of a New Technological Frontier
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Writing-NEWS STORY
Award of Excellence:
Small district, big battle: Educators and community push back against extreme school board
Michigan Education Association
Writing-OPINION/EDITORIAL WRITING
Awards of Excellence:
Despite book bans and smear campaigns, I count my blessings
Michigan Education Association
“Let’s get the facts straight on Ohio public school funding”
Ohio Education Association
BEST IN SHOW
Joseph Bland Best in Show-CAMPAIGNS
Nebraska State Education Association
Best in Show-Graphic Design & Layout
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Best in Show-Publications
Michigan Education Association
Best in Show-Visual
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Communicators OF THE YEAR
George Badner Award for Excellence in Editing
Clarisse Butler BanksNew York State Teachers United
Bill Guy Award for Excellence in Public Relations
Nancy AndrewsConnecticut Education Association
SEAComm Hall of Fame
Karen Reed award for excellence in design Winners
2023 – Not awarded
2022 – Eric Widi, Minnesota
2019 – Shawn Berry, Maine
2018 – Not awarded
2017 – Mark Sharer, New York
2016 – Not awarded
2015 – Meg Krugel, Oregon
2014 – Dana Fournier, New York
2013 – Sue Clark, Wyoming
2012 – Not awarded
2011 – Penny Skubal, Arizona
2010 – Gail Botz, Ohio
2009 – Laura DeVries, Wisconsin
2008 – Lisa Sale, Virginia
2007 – Kristi Capek, Nebraska
2006 – David Arva, Pennsylvania
2005 – Joseph Lover, Minnesota
2004 – Karen Reed, Washington
2003 – Jonathan Goldman, Georgia
2002 – Jim Maccaroni, New Jersey
George Badner Award for excellence in editing Winners
2023 – Brenda Ortega, Michigan
2022 – Not awarded
2019 – Kelly Hagen, North Dakota
2018 – Giovanna Bechard, Maine
2017 – Mary Fran Gleason, New York
2016 – Not awarded
2015 – Julie Newhall, Ohio
2014 – Lisa Galley, New Jersey
2013 – Pam Nichols, Deleware
2012 – Angie McCormick, Georgia
2011 – William “Bill” Johnson, Virginia
2010 – Sanna Porte, Montana
2009 – Al Koontz, Nebraska
2008 – Lana Oppenheim Schlapkohl, Iowa
2007 – Cynthia Menzel, Kansas
2006 – Linda Harsche, North Dakota
2005 – Debra Angstead, Missouri
2004 – Bill Guy, Tennessee
2003 – Keith Harvie, Maine
2002 – Ron Sniffin, Wyoming
2001 – Jeanne Beyer, Colorado
2000 – Jackie Vaughn, North Carolina
1999 – Karen Comiskey Jenkins, Rhode Island
1998 – Gayle Moore, Idaho
1997 – Andrew Linebaugh, Massachusetts
1996 – Michael “Mike” Lydick, Connecticut
1995 – Jeanne Johnson, Washington
1994 – Gene Bryant, Tennessee
1993 – Debbie Turner Mohondro, Texas
Bill Guy Award for Excellence in Public Relations Winners
2023 – Sandra Waltman, South Dakota
2022 – Darren Allen, Vermont
2019 – Christina Brey, Wisconsin
2018 – Doug Pratt, Michigan
2017 – Dawn Hiltner, New Jersey
2016 – Rich Wood, Washington
2015 – Wanda Swanson, New Jersey
2014 – Sanna Porte, Montana
2013 – Kym Randolph, West Virginia
2012 – Steve Wollmer, New Jersey
2011 – Karen Comiskey Jenkins, Rhode Island
2010 – David Stout, Alabama
2009 – Cynthia Menzel, Kansas
2008 – Karen Kilgarin, Nebraska
2007 – Jan Chambers, Oregon
2006 – Mark Mickelson, Utah
2005 – Lana Oppenheim Schlapkohl, Iowa
2004 – Jeanne Beyer, Colorado
2003 – Gayle Moore, Idaho
2002 – Karen Joseph, New Jersey
2001 – Pam Nichols, Delaware
2000 – Sandra Jackson, California
1999 – Annette Cootes, Texas
1998 – Kathy Wheeler, Tennessee
1997 – Ann Kurzius, NEA
1996 – Ed Gallagher, New Jersey
1995 – Jackie Goodwin, West Virginia
1994 – Deborah Fallin, Colorado
1993 – Kay Coles, Kansas
1992 – Mary Ann Blankenship, Kentucky
1991 – Tommye Hutto, California
1990 – Kathleen Lyons, Maryland
1989 – Charlie Kelly, Connecticut
1988 – Margo Fraser, Ohio
1987 – Keith Ericson, Tennessee
1986 – Dick Palmer, North Dakota
1985 – Barc Bayley, Nebraska
1984 – Laurie Huse, Vermont
1983 – Al Benjamin, Massachusetts
1982 – Bill Martin, Ohio
1981 – Joe Bland, Virginia
1980 – Bob Dexter, Maryland
1979 – Marv Reed, New Jersey
1978 – Fred Leuschner, Pennsylvania
Bill Guy
An Oklahoma native dedicated to both education and journalism, William “Bill” Guy was a longtime communications staffer with the Oklahoma Education Association, Massachusetts Teacher Association, Tennessee Education Association and California Teachers Association. With a passion for special education, English, and journalism, Bill was an inspiring teacher for countless students and colleagues over the years. In his various roles in state affiliate communications, including as an officer of the State Education Editors, Bill had a unique ability to tell stories that inspired both educators and the public to take action for public education. Throughout his life, he was devoted to serving others and the cause of public education. Bill passed away in his home state of Oklahoma in 2023.
Karen Reed
For Karen Reed it was a battle from the beginning. As a graphic designer with the Washington Education Association, she had to work hard to convince WEA management that there was a place for her at State Education Editors. Karen wanted to see graphic designers, and other artists working in state affiliates, to get involved in professional growth.
Once at SEE, Karen fought to raise the profile of graphic designers in the organization and in state affiliate work. She immediately started volunteering at SEE, and she agitated for change. She ran for office and was elected member-at-large. Rising in the ranks, she became the first graphic designer to be president of SEE.
When Karen retired in 2004, she was honored as SEE’s Graphic Designer of the Year. The award was later renamed the Karen Reed Award for Excellence in Design.
George Badner
George Badner, an editor with the Pennsylvania State Education Association, was president of SEE in 1979 when its conference was held in Detroit. He died unexpectedly in March 1993 as SEE was moving forward with its new annual award for an outstanding state association editor. The award came to be named the George Badner Award for Excellence in Editing. That year, SEE member Debbie Mohondro of the Texas State Teachers Association was its first recipient.
Lisa Galley
Lisa Galley’s career in public education began in 1985 as a high school history teacher in Mount Olive, New Jersey. Her successes in her local association drew statewide attention. In January 2001, the New Jersey Education Association hired Lisa out of the classroom to become editor of the NJEA Review.
Before long, Lisa stepped into leadership positions in State Education Editors (SEE). As president, she took members to Nashville for SEE’s 2010 conference. Shortly following the conference, Lisa was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Beloved by her SEE friends, many came to New York in July 2012 to hear her sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” prior to a Mets game on Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day. Lisa edited the NJEA Review up to just a few months before she died in April 2016. Again, many of her SEE friends traveled from across the country to bid her a final farewell.
Joe Bland
Those who knew Joe Bland, communications director for the Virginia Education Association, treasured his work, his advice, and his friendship. Throughout nearly four decades of participation in SEE, PRC and association communications, Joe used his vivid creativity and boundless energy in extraordinary ways. He advocated not only for public education and public school employees, but also for those who spend their careers in association communications.
Joe was president of PRC in 1988 and 1989. He was president of SEE in 1975.
The death of Joe Bland in 2005 left a massive void in the SEE organization.
Joe is missed—but hardly forgotten. In recognition of his outstanding contribution, SEE kept Joe’s spirit alive by honoring those who followed in his footsteps with the Joe Bland Spirit of SEE Award. This award recognized SEE members whose association work and commitment to helping colleagues best typified Joe’s many outstanding personal and professional characteristics. PRC conferred the Joseph W. Bland Jr. Pacesetter Award, which recognized affiliate communicator work that set a new, higher standard.
NEA Liaisons
Steve Lemken served as the NEA staff liaison to State Education Editors and the Public Relations Council of the States from 1999 until 2009 when he transferred to the NEA Education Support Professional Quality Department. Despite the transfer, Steve never forgot his roots in communications, and kept in close contact with SEE and PR Council. In his new role, he continued to attending the conferences so to assist affiliate communicators in promoting our ESP members and to continue learning through what SEE and PRC offered. At the first business meeting of SEAComm on June 4, 2016, a New Business Item created the Steve Lemken Award for State Affiliate-National Collaboration.
Steve began his career in education in 1979 in California as a library aide in the Parjaro Valley Unified School District. He earned his teaching certification and worked as a substitute teacher in California, later becoming a printer—and president of the ESP local in the district. In 1981, he moved on to work for the California School Employees Association, an AFL-CIO affiliate that represents ESP. In August 1988, he moved on to become the communications director for the NEA-New Mexico. In October 1995 he became the editor of NEA NOW, a publication targeted to local association leaders and ARs. He attended SEE and PRC council meeting from 1989 through 2012. He was secretary-treasurer for PRC for 1994-95.
Steve was not the first NEA liaison to SEE and PRC.
Lyle Hamilton filled the liaison role from 1967 to 1987. His term coincided with the founding of PRC and he contributed to the establishment of its identity and mission—and ensuring that it was accorded with respect in the NEA family. Lyle served not only as a liaison from NEA, but in the early part of his service, straddled the divide that then existed between editors and public relations managers. On PRC’s 40th anniversary, Lyle recalled that in the early 1970s there had been little love between SEE and PRC. “Editors were the ‘queens’ and ‘kings’ in state associations. They quickly perceived PR types as threats,” he said.
Ann Kurzius served as liaison from 1988 to 1999. Ann’s writing and editing career began at National Geographic. She became an editor and writer at NEA in 1970, eventually moving into management as editor of the monthly NEA Today from 1980 to 1988. While serving as liaison to SEE and PRC, she also managed NEA’s speech writers. In 1997, PRC honored her as the Public Relations Person of the Year.
On the 40th anniversary of PRC, Ann remarked on the true value of organizations like ours.
“When I think back on PRC and SEE conferences, it’s rarely any official sessions that come to mind,” she admitted. From a conference she attended before her time as liaison—1981 in Albuquerque—the only thing Ann remembered was an infamous 70-mile road trip into the sagebrush for a group dinner. Without seat belts and with a pack of folks sitting on the floor of Rich Nelson’s van, they finally arrived, half-starved and badly in need of a bathroom, only to discover the famous destination restaurant was closed on Mondays. From the 1993 Tucson meeting, Ann’s main memory was of colleagues happily welcoming her husband and their English setter, Sallydog, into the hospitality suite. These recollections point to what really draws us now to these annual conferences—the camaraderie that leads to collegiality.
The lifelong friendships formed at SEE, PRC and now SEAComm enrich the work we do and benefit the NEA members we serve.
Thank You to This Year’s Judges
Jeanne Beyer
Amy Dalrymple
Brian Duggan
Doug Folks
Miriam Garcia
Steven Grant
Karen Herzog
Dawn Hiltner
Karen Jenkins
Mike Kelley
Al Koontz
Deb Landis
Kyle Leyenberger
Mike Lydick
Cyndi Menzel
Andy Meyer
Pamela Nichols
John O’Neil
Jason Piscia
Robert Pope
Jon Reed
Sheenae Shannon
Kieren Steinhoff
June Stricker
Brent Suyama
Wanda Swanson
Frank Valdez
State Education Association Communicators 
