Learning and Liberty Award

  • About the Award

    The Learning and Liberty Award honors an individual who currently serves in a formal role of school public relations (e.g. - school public relations professional, a consultant specializing in school communication, etc.). A Learning and Liberty award winner is someone who has contributed greatly to the profession of school public relations through an extensive body of work, unique achievements, collaboration with colleagues and/or mentoring other school public relations professionals.

    Tanya Rowe Scholarship

    Starting in 2022, the Learning and Liberty Award winner will receive the Tanya Rowe Scholarship. WSPRA established the annual scholarship in 2018 to honor the memory of our friend and colleague, Tanya Rowe. Tanya served as Executive Director of Communications in Bellingham Public Schools until she died unexpectedly in November 2017. The scholarship provides $2,500 toward professional development to use at the discretion of the award winner. This may include attending the NSPRA Seminar or WSPRA Conferences, obtaining their APR, or purchasing communication equipment such as a camera. The winner is required to report back to the WSPRA board how they chose to use the scholarship. 

    Nomination Process

    To nominate someone for the Learning and Liberty Award, please complete the nomination form. 

    The form collects information including:

    • Name of the person you are nominating and their contact information
    • A narrative explaining why you believe they deserve Learning and Liberty Award recognition (not to exceed 1,000 words).
    • Optional: Short testimonial statements from others who endorse the nomination (limited to an additional 1,000 words).

    Nominations will open January 10 and are due by February 25, 2022, at 8:00 pm.

    The individual who nominates the Learning and Liberty Award winner will be notified in advance of the spring WSPRA conference. The WSPRA board will work with the nominator to ensure the winner is in attendance at the awards ceremony.

    Past Award Recipients 

    2021 – 2022 David Biel, Central Kitsap 
    2020 – 2021 Leanna Albrecht, Clover Park
    2019 – 2020 Dan Voelpel, Tacoma
    2018 – 2019 Jayme Taylor, Lake Stevens
    2017 – 2018 Curtis Campbell, Shoreline
    2017 – 2018 Susan Gifford, Olympia (Tanya Rowe Scholarship Award Winner) 
    2016 – 2017 Rexanne Graham, Highline 
    2015 – 2016 L. Michelle, Issaquah 
    2014 – 2015 Courtney Schrieve, North Thurston 
    2013 – 2014 Lori Simpson, ESD 112
    2012 – 2013 Rosemary O'Neil, Monroe                                                                                   
    2011 – 2012 Catherine Carbone-Rogers, Highline 
    2010 – 2011 Arlene Hulten, Lake Stevens 
    2008 – 2009 Becky Hanks, Kent 
    2007 – 2008 Terren Roloff, Spokane 
    2006 – 2007 J. Marie Riche, Ideal Communications
    2005 – 2006 Jocelyn McCabe, AWSP and Aimee Warthen, South Kitsap
    2004 – 2005 Peter Daniels, Seattle
    2003 – 2004 Carol Fenstermacher, Evergreen
    2002 – 2003 Patti Holmgren, Tacoma
    2001 – 2002 Dr. Pamela Katims Steele, Northshore
    2000 – 2001 Joan Tritchler, Puget Sound ESD
    1999 – 2000 Sandra Catt, Longview
    1998 – 1999 Judy McDaniel, WSSDA
    1997 – 1998 Linda Greep, Evergreen
    1996 – 1997 Mary Waggoner, Snohomish
    1995 – 1996 Cyndy Whitcomb, Marysville
    1994 – 1995 Jackie Smith, Renton
    1993 – 1994 Gay Campbell, Tacoma
    1992 – 1993 Ann Oxrieder, Bellevue
    1991 – 1992 Terri Malinowski, Northshore
    1990 – 1991 Judy Parker, Kent
    1989 – 1990 Judy Wall, Federal Way
    1988 – 1989 Sylvia Soholt, Lake Washington
    1987 – 1988 Kay Engelsen, Tacoma
    1986 – 1987 Jo Love Beach, Everett