La Joya, TX - Demonstrating the impact of strategic storytelling in public education, the La Joya ISD Public Relations & Communications Office was recently recognized for its creativity, innovation, and excellence, earning multiple prestigious awards from both the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) and the American Advertising Federation (AAF) - further establishing its place among the top communications teams in the state and region.
The district’s PR & Communications team earned an impressive 15 Gold, 6 Silver, and 1 Bronze Star Awards from TSPRA, along with a distinguished Best in Category honor - placing La Joya ISD among the highest-performing communications departments in the large district category. These awards recognize outstanding achievement in school communications across Texas and highlight the district’s ability to effectively inform, engage, and inspire its community.
“These honors reflect the incredible work happening across our district and the commitment our team has to telling those stories with purpose and excellence,” said Blanca E. Cantú, Public Relations & Communications Director for La Joya ISD. “Every video, graphic, and message is created with the goal of uplifting our students, supporting our staff, and strengthening the connection we have with our community. We are proud to represent La Joya ISD at such a high level.”
Among the recognized work were standout projects in video production, event coverage, promotional campaigns, and district-wide communications, showcasing the team’s versatility and dedication to high-quality content creation.
Building on that momentum, the La Joya ISD PR & Communications Department also competed in the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Rio Grande Valley Chapter competition - a space traditionally dominated by private-sector agencies, marketing firms, and corporate organizations. Notably, La Joya ISD was the only school district represented in this year’s competition.
The team earned multiple AAF awards in the Video Promotional category, including Gold Awards for “LJISD Friday Night Lights Highlight” and “Los Coyotes: Mariachi Excellence,” as well as a Bronze Award for “Kindness in Action: La Joya ISD.” These honors further demonstrate that the district’s communications efforts stand alongside top industry professionals in creativity, strategy, and impact.
“This recognition reinforces that the work happening in La Joya ISD is not only impactful within our schools, but also competitive on a much larger stage,” Cantú added. “It highlights the innovation, creativity, and excellence that define our district.”
Recognized by the La Joya ISD School Board during a recent meeting, these accomplishments underscore the vital role of effective communication in public education - ensuring transparency, celebrating success, and building trust within the community.
The La Joya ISD Public Relations & Communications team includes Blanca E. Cantu, Director of Public Relations & Communications; Martha E. Ibarra, Strategic Communications & Projects Coordinator; Sonia Hernandez, Public Relations Specialist; Ashlee Garza, Media & Events Specialist; Jose Medina, Digital Media Specialist; Wence Muñoz, Video Editor Specialist; and Eric Zuniga, Video Producer Specialist.
Together, their work continues to elevate the district’s voice, highlight student achievement, and showcase the excellence happening across La Joya ISD every day.