Elevating the Brand: Tomball ISD Communications Recognized with 16 Statewide Awards

TOMBALL - Tomball ISD Communications was recently recognized among the Best in the State at the 2026 Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Annual Conference in Galveston, earning two Best of Category wins, two Crystal Finalists awards, 11 Gold Stars and 1 Silver Star award.

Representing Tomball ISD at TSPRA were Director of Communications Allison Suarez and Director of Digital Communications Justin Warnasch. Communicators from school districts and education organizations across Texas were honored during the association’s annual Star Awards Celebration on February 18.

Competing against 166 entries within its division and submitted categories, Tomball ISD captured 16 awards across the 14 categories. The recognition reflects the team’s work during the 2024–2025 school year and highlights the district’s commitment to excellence in strategic communications, branding, digital media, and community engagement.

Crystal Recognition

• Crystal Award Finalist: CTE in Tomball ISD - Crystal Photography Portfolio
• Crystal Award Finalist: Tomball ISD Bond 2025 - Crystal Bond Election

Best of Category 

• CTE in Tomball ISD - Social Media Campaign
• 39th Annual A+ Academic Awards Ceremony - Video Live Event Non-Sports

Gold Star Awards

• Tomball ISD Communication Plan – Communication Plan
• Attendance Matters Flyer - Flyer
• Igniting the Future: Welding in Action - Photo Academic/Classroom Subject
• Fine Arts Logo - Logo Trademark Symbol
• TRAINS Logo - Logo Trademark Symbol
• Bond 2025 - Video Promotional
• Patriotic Show 2024 Livestream - Video Live Sports Event
• 39th Annual A+ Academic Awards Ceremony - Video Live Event Non-Sports
• Dr. Z Hype Video - Miscellaneous Digital Media
• Bond 2025 Website - Website Template Driven Design
• CTE in Tomball ISD - Social Media Campaign

Silver Star Awards

• Fine Arts Feature - Published News or Feature

Since 2018, Tomball ISD Communications has earned a Platinum finalist honor, one Crystal Commendation award, five Crystal Commendation Certificates of Merit, 15 Best of Category Awards, 83 Gold Star Awards, 30 Silver Star Awards, and 12 Bronze Star Awards.

Each year, TSPRA recognizes communicators in school districts, education foundations, education associations and organizations for their work in print and electronic media categories. There are 57 categories covering various media such as newsletters, programs, posters, reports, writing, image/identity packages, photography, graphics, video, electronic presentations, mobile apps, campaigns, events and web sites. 

For the first 47 categories, the entries are divided into three divisions based on the number of students the district, foundation or organizations serves - under 15,000 students; 15,000 to 40,000 students; and over 40,000 students. Independent judges evaluate and score each entry based on its own merit. Bronze, Silver and Gold Stars are awarded based on set criteria. Finally, the judges review their highest scoring Gold Star winners and select a Best of Category for each division in each of the 47 categories.

Crystal Awards span nine categories and all divisions are judged together. A Crystal Award is a multifaceted promotional program or campaign employing a variety of media, occurring over a period of time and encompassing well-defined goals, strategies or activities; one award per category. The Platinum Award is TSPRA’s highest award for excellence in a total PR program; one award is given.

ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD empowers students to become impactful, contributing citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous and personally valuable educational experiences while partnering with the community. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 23,000 students across 25 campuses.