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Local, State, Regional Awards and Special Recognitions
Several award and recognition opportunities exist for members on the local, state and regional levels. Information about each award is included on this page. Additional details will be available prior to the deadline for each award.

Grover Smith Lifetime Achievement Award (PRCA)
The Public Relations Council of Alabama’s (PRCA’s) highest honor, this award was established in 2003 to recognize a dedicated practitioner whose lifetime has been one of distinguished service to the public relations profession and to PRCA. Recipients must have demonstrated the highest and most meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and progress of public relations throughout their careers. Nominees must have devoted 25 or more years of service to the field of public relations and must have been members of the Public Relations’ Council of Alabama for at least 10 years prior to the nomination and have contributed to the organization is some capacity. This award is made at the discretion of the PRCA State Board of Directors and does not have to be awarded annually. If an award is made, it will be presented during the annual PRCA State Conference.

Philip R. Forrest Jr. Practitioner of the Year Award (PRCA)
This award is given to recognize outstanding public relations practitioners. Each year, PRCA-Montgomery, along with the five other local PRCA chapters, nominates one person to be considered for the statewide award. A nominee must have been employed full-time in the field of public relations for a minimum of five years and be a member in good standing of the PRCA. The winner, along with all the nominees, is recognized at the annual PRCA State Conference. The winner of this award is PRCA’s nominee for SPRF’s Professional Achievement Award the following year.

Professional Achievement Award (SPRF)
The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), the regional organization to which PRCA belongs, established this award to recognize an individual who has continually demonstrated the highest ideals of the public relations profession, as well as commitment to the professional development of public relations. Each chapter of SPRF is invited to nominate one outstanding public relations professional for the award. PRCA’s nominee is the previous year’s winner of the Philip R. Forrest Jr. Practitioner of the Year Award. The recipient of SPRF’s Professional Achievement Award is announced at the SPRF annual conference, July 22-23, 2004.

Starr Awards
PRCA-Montgomery invites its members to enter the annual Starr Awards competition. The award is named in honor of Starr Smith, co-founder of the PRCA, member of PRCA-Montgomery and a journalist of international renown. Awards are given on three levels in multiple categories. A "Best of Show" is also awarded. Winners are recognized at an awards luncheon during the annual PRCA-Montgomery professional development seminar in the fall.

Medallion Awards
These awards recognize the best work of PRCA members. Awards are given on three levels in multiple categories. Award winners are announced at the annual PRCA State Conference.

Lantern Awards (SPRF)
These awards are given each year by the Southern Public Relations Federation to its members to recognize projects, programs and productions that display outstanding strategy, creativity, and production skills. Awards are given at three levels in multiple categories at the SPRF annual conference, July 22-23, 2004. Entries must be received by May 28, 2004. Click here to download the Call for Entries. This information may also be found on-line at www.sprf.org.

Senior Practitioners (SPRF)
The senior practitioner designation was established to honor members of SPRF who are recognized by their peers as veteran public relations professionals with high ethical standing. Nomination and selection is made by each local chapter. To receive the designation "senior practitioner," a recipient must qualify in three of the following four criteria:

• 15 years of full-time public relations experience
• Accreditation by the NAPRC member organization
• Officer or board member at chapter, state or SPRF level
• Recognition of professionalism as evidenced by such awards as Practitioner of the Year, Lantern Award or similar honor.

A Special Note: Following are some present and past PRCA-Montgomery members who have received statewide and regional recognition.

PRCA Practitioners of the Year
Charles McKay, 1976
James Yeaman, 1979
Holley Midgley, APR, 1985
Rosemary Blackmon, APR, 1993
Julie Debardelaben, 2001

SPRF Practitioner of the Year
Rosemary Blackmon, APR, 1994

Past State PRCA Presidents
Charles McKay, 1975
Tom Somerville, APR, 1981
Holley Midgley, APR, 1989
Charles Barnette, APR, 1990
Rosemary Blackmon, APR, 1997

Senior Practitioners

Charles Barnette, APR, 1990
Holley Midgley, APR, 1990
Tom Somerville, APR, 1990
Paul Till, 1991
Les Hartwig, 1994
Darryl Gates, APR, 1995
Rosemary Blackmon, APR, 1996
Susan Andres, 1998
Bill Cunningham, 1998
Julie Debardelaben, 1998
Linda Lee, APR, 1998
Minnie Lamberth, 1999
Ty Fondren, 2000
Doug Freeland, 2001
Marty Sullivan, 2001
Suzanne Anderson, APR, 2003
Belinda Bazinet, 2003