UNL public relations student group wins top honors

            The University of Nebraska-Lincoln chapter of the Public Relations Student Society earned "Best of Show" and a total of six awards in the 2011 Public Relations Society of America Nebraska Paper Anvil competition. Paper Anvil awards are presented annually to professionals and students for outstanding work in public relations and communications.

            "'The Supercharging PR With Social Media' event with Shonali Burke, which won Best of Show, provided students with hands-on experience in putting ideas and PR skills into action," said chapter adviser Phyllis Larsen.

            Student members planned an evening lecture followed by a question-and-answer session, a networking breakfast with professionals and students, a luncheon with students and opportunities to talk and meet with students on an individual basis. UNL PRSSA exceeded its initial goal by 200 percent. More than 400 people who came into contact during Burke's visit at UNL.

            Supercharging PR won two Paper Anvil Awards of Excellence -- one in professional development, the second in outstanding strategy to address a problem.

            "Drop Your Jeans for a Good Cause" won two Paper Anvil Awards of Excellence -- one in the category of outstanding PRSSA chapter project and another for outstanding campus event. The project was part of Cotton Inc.'s "Cotton. From Blue to Green" in October 2010. UNL was one of five campuses selected nationally to launch the denim recycling campaign on campus and in the community.

            "PB&J for PRSSA" won in the category of outstanding relationship-building project. The annual fundraiser sells homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwiches over the noon hour during the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications' annual J Days celebration.

            Supercharge PR Student Team members include: PRSSA president Molly Zerener of Cheney, Kan.; event planners Lia Ciardi of Norman, Okla., Emily Schaefer of South Sioux City, Mackenzie Weis of Kearney, Sydney Wurzer of Fargo, N.D., and Marie Zborilova of Lincoln; and designer Megan Mandel of Omaha.

Writer: Marilyn Hahn