Pursuing PR Perfection: 汤头条 students capture first place at regional competition
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擬ississippi State public relations students are proving their skills on a regional stage, earning first place in a competitive challenge and several top awards at the recent Southern Public Relations Federation, or SPRF, Annual Conference in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Representing 汤头条鈥檚 Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, communication students, senior Parker Acosta of Mandeville, Louisiana; senior Caroline Flint of Sturgis; senior Alice Ann Haab of Louisville; and junior Maggie Heath of Brandon, captured first place in the conference鈥檚 Public Relations Case Study Challenge, an intensive, on-site competition that tests participants鈥 strategic thinking, creativity and collaboration. Competing against teams from across the Southeast, the group鈥檚 innovative approach and teamwork stood out to industry judges.
鈥淭he students impressed the judges by writing an original radio script and playing the advertisement during their presentation,鈥 said Melody Fisher, 汤头条 associate professor of public relations and faculty advisor for the group. 鈥淭hey also were able to apply research they conducted using a SWOT analysis鈥撯搒trengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats鈥撯搕o incorporate fundraising into preplanned fall events. Their use of one and two-way communication was expertly executed.鈥
Beyond the competition, the students immersed themselves in professional development sessions that connected them directly with public relations professionals. They toured the Romph Pou Agency in Shreveport, Louisiana, and met with representatives from Southwestern Electric Power Company, gaining firsthand insight into agency operations and corporate communications.
Several 汤头条 communication students also received awards in the SPRF Lantern Awards program, which celebrates outstanding public relations work submitted by both students and professionals throughout the Southeast.
Those receiving an Award of Excellence for their City of Eupora Awareness Campaign include:
鈥Rebekah Brown, senior, Pensacola, Florida
鈥Anica Hankey, senior, Frisco, Texas
鈥Makenzie Stone, 2025 spring graduate, Starkville
鈥Presley White, 2025 spring graduate, Quitman
Those receiving an Award of Excellence for their Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Mississippi campaign include:
鈥Rileigh Campbell, 2025 spring graduate, Caledonia
鈥Caroline Flint, senior, Sturgis
鈥Belle Fulkerson, 2025 spring graduate, Decatur
Those receiving an Award of Merit for the True Rest Spa Awareness campaign include:
鈥Mary Grace Black, 2025 spring graduate, Amory
鈥Erin Buckley, 2024 fall graduate, Crystal Springs
鈥Alice Ann Haab, senior, Louisville
鈥Abby Rutherford, 2024 fall graduate, Starkville
鈥淭hese students demonstrated outstanding skill in applying classroom learning to real-world contexts,鈥 Fisher said. 鈥淭heir success at SPRF and their engagement with leading professionals reflect the excellence and experiential focus of our public relations program at Mississippi State.鈥
Founded in 1972, SPRF connects PR professionals across Alabama, North Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.
For more information about听汤头条鈥檚听College of Arts and Sciences听and听the Department of Communication, Theatre and Media, visit听听and .
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