District Also Recognized For Music Documentary 

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – A staff recognition program formed by Jamestown Public Schools and a documentary celebrating its music program have received national recognition by the National School Public Relations Association as part of its annual National School Communication Awards.

The “Pillars of JPS” program was awarded a “Golden Achievement Award” by NSPRA, which recognizes outstanding  strategic work in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing and engagement. Each entry is judged individually against the contest criteria - not against other entries - and judges select as many winners as meet the award criteria from a network of over 30,000 communication and education professionals from around the country. 

Jamestown Public Schools launched the "Pillars of JPS" at the start of the 2025–26 school year — a peer-to-peer staff recognition program. Named for the ornate architecture of the district’s historic school buildings embedded in its own logo, the program invites every employee to nominate a colleague who "holds others up," combining a permanent digital nomination portal with weekly recognition in the district’s internal newsletter and monthly rewards. From September 2025 through March 2026, it generated 464 nominations across every building and department. 

“The ‘Pillars’ have been a great way to acknowledge the incredible work that goes on throughout our district, and we are so excited to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Kevin Whitaker, JPS Superintendent. “Every day, our people are working magic through unselfish and significant donations of their commitment, time and energy.  If we can help to thank them in some small way, and bring attention to this incredible work done on behalf of kids through this program, we have succeeded.” 

In addition to the “Pillars,” JPS was also recognized for a documentary that premiered last school year. “100 Years Of Music,” a documentary on the Jamestown High School choral and band programs, received an “Award of Merit” in the organization’s Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards. Narrated and written by Dennis Webster and produced by Brayton Lydell, the documentary traces the program’s journey and development — from its earliest days to the present — through interviews with alumni, longtime directors, and current educators. The NSPRA award is the second accolade the documentary has received — in October, it earned an “Award of Excellence” from the New York School Public Relations Association.

“The history of music in JPS and specifically at JHS is well-known and held in high regard by generations of JPS graduates and community members,” Whitaker added. “It was only fitting to put together a loving retrospective of this special program, from the vision of the founders through those who have carefully and reverently shepherded it along the way.” 

To learn more about the “Pillars of JPS” program, visit jpsny.org/PillarsOfJPS or to view the documentary, visit jpsny.org/music. For more information on the awards, visit nspra.org/awards. 

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