The Missouri School Public Relations Association has named Mickey Schoonover, APR, Director of School-Community Relations for the Pattonville School District, the 2022 Distinguished Service Award recipient. The award was presented at the MOSPRA Annual Awards Banquet at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, Missouri. The Distinguished Service Award goes to a MOSPRA member who has provided outstanding leadership and service to the association over the course of his or her career.
Schoonover announced in October that she is retiring at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. This school year marks her 29th year in school public relations, and Schoonover served the past 25 years in Pattonville.
MOSPRA President, Erica Chandler, commented, “Mickey has been the consummate professional during her long tenure in school communications. She is a leader in the association, and she has always made herself available to help others.”
Pattonville Superintendent, Dr. Tim Pecoraro, stated, “Mickey has led Pattonville’s PR campaigns for multiple bond issues and tax rate increase ballot initiatives over the years. Her insight and ability to deliver key messages to stakeholders is uncanny. In times of crisis, Mickey is even keeled and can produce important communication under pressure that accurately describes a situation while also providing comfort to those receiving the message.”
David Luther, Executive Director of MOSPRA, shared, “Over the course of my 22 years in school communications, Mickey has been among my first phone calls if I need help or thoughtful insight. MOSPRA is a better organization because of her leadership.”
Kelly Gordon, Pattonville Community Relations Specialist, wrote in her nomination letter, “During her nearly 30 years in school communications, Mickey has served MOSPRA as president, vice president and eastern director president. She is always willing to present at regional meetings, whether it be gold mine sessions following a state or national conference or on something specific to the work she is doing in Pattonville. She has also been active in the Colleague Connections program mentoring other members. She sees value in professional development and supporting each other.”
Ms. Schoonover is a MOSPRA Past President, and she has served in multiple roles on the MOSPRA Board as well as being an active member in the association’s mentoring program, Colleague Connections.
David Luther, executive director of the Missouri School Public Relations Association, presents the Distinguished Service Award to Mickey Schoonover during the May 10 Pattonville school board meeting.
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The Missouri School Public Relations Association (MOSPRA) is the Missouri state chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). While the membership in MOSPRA is primarily composed of school communication practitioners from both public and private school districts, members also include superintendents, principals, secretaries, education association staff, board of education members and others who work to gain public confidence in education. Like its parent organization, MOSPRA is dedicated to providing citizens with a better understanding of the objectives, accomplishments and needs of the schools within our communities.