The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) has once again recognized Hemlock Public School District on the national stage.
The district earned an Award of Excellence, the highest award presented in its category, for its social media campaign, Hemlock | Small Town. Big Opportunities. The district also received an Honorable Mention for its video, The Story of the Lockwood STEM Center.
The award-winning Small Town. Big Opportunities. series highlighted opportunities available to students through academics, athletics, robotics, STEM education, performing arts, career readiness programs, and community partnerships.
The district's second recognized project, The Story of the Lockwood STEM Center, documented the transformation of a former maintenance yard into a nationally recognized center for innovation, exploration, and hands-on learning. The video highlighted the vision of Tom and Dana Lockwood, the generosity of donors and business partners, and the belief that rural students deserve access to world-class opportunities.
Board President Matt Wesener said the awards reflect years of intentional work.
"Great schools don't happen by accident," Wesener said. "Neither does trust. These recognitions reflect years of investment in relationships, transparency, and telling the stories that matter most."
The recognition marks the fourth consecutive year Hemlock Public School District has received national honors from NSPRA. During that time, the district has earned multiple Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit, Honorable Mentions, and a prestigious NSPRA Golden Achievement Award in 2025.
For Superintendent Don Killingbeck, the awards represent far more than communication efforts.
"These awards are not really about communication," Killingbeck said. "They are about people. They are about students succeeding, teachers making a difference, businesses investing in our future, and a community that continues to believe in what is possible."
The recognition also reflects the district's broader journey.
A decade ago, Hemlock faced declining enrollment, aging facilities, limited resources, and questions about the future. Today, students participate in nationally recognized STEM programs, earn college credit before graduation, compete for state championships, and benefit from growing partnerships that continue to expand opportunities. New learning spaces, athletic facilities, and performing arts venues have transformed the district's campus and programs.
"The story changed because our students, staff, families, board members, donors, volunteers, and community partners worked together to create something worth talking about," Killingbeck said.
That belief is at the heart of the district's Small Town. Big Opportunities. message: students should not have to leave a small town to find big opportunities.
Every day, Hemlock students bring that vision to life through robotics, Early Middle College, athletics, performing arts, STEM education, and career-focused learning experiences that prepare them for life beyond graduation.
The district's Lockwood STEM Center stands as one of the clearest examples of that vision. What began as a shared dream among Tom and Dana Lockwood, community leaders, educators, donors, and business partners has become a nationally recognized learning environment serving hundreds of students each year.
Killingbeck said the awards belong to the entire community.
"These awards are a reflection of our people," he said. "The stories we share are real. They belong to students who work hard, teachers who care deeply, support staff who go above and beyond, families who believe in our schools, and community partners who continue to invest in the future of Hemlock. We are fortunate to have a lot of great stories to tell because we have a lot of great people creating them every day."
The district also recognized the work of Communication Specialist Joy McMillan, whose storytelling and creative work have helped elevate the district's communication efforts.
"Joy has a gift for finding the human side of every story," said Killingbeck. "She helps people see the heart behind the work happening throughout our district and community and thrives on capturing moments, celebrating people, and sharing the stories that connect our schools with the community we serve. These recognitions are well deserved."
NSPRA's Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards recognize outstanding communication efforts from school districts and educational organizations across the United States. Entries are evaluated against organizations of similar size and type.
District leaders say the awards are meaningful, but they are not the goal.
The goal is creating opportunities for students, building trust with the community, and continuing to prove that a small town can do extraordinary things.
The awards are appreciated.
The story behind them matters most.