Pursuing PR Perfection: Ļć½¶Ö±²„students capture first place at regional competition
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.āMississippi 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 MSUās 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 conferenceās Public Relations Case Study Challenge, an intensive, on-site competition that tests participantsā strategic thinking, creativity and collaboration. Competing against teams from across the Southeast, the groupās innovative approach and teamwork stood out to industry judges.
āThe students impressed the judges by writing an original radio script and playing the advertisement during their presentation,ā said Melody Fisher, Ļć½¶Ö±²„associate professor of public relations and faculty advisor for the group. āThey also were able to apply research they conducted using a SWOT analysisāāstrengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threatsāāto incorporate fundraising into preplanned fall events. Their use of one and two-way communication was expertly executed.ā
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 Ļć½¶Ö±²„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:
āRebekah Brown, senior, Pensacola, Florida
āAnica Hankey, senior, Frisco, Texas
āMakenzie Stone, 2025 spring graduate, Starkville
āPresley White, 2025 spring graduate, Quitman
Those receiving an Award of Excellence for their Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Mississippi campaign include:
āRileigh Campbell, 2025 spring graduate, Caledonia
āCaroline Flint, senior, Sturgis
āBelle Fulkerson, 2025 spring graduate, Decatur
Those receiving an Award of Merit for the True Rest Spa Awareness campaign include:
āMary Grace Black, 2025 spring graduate, Amory
āErin Buckley, 2024 fall graduate, Crystal Springs
āAlice Ann Haab, senior, Louisville
āAbby Rutherford, 2024 fall graduate, Starkville
āThese students demonstrated outstanding skill in applying classroom learning to real-world contexts,ā Fisher said. āTheir success at SPRF and their engagement with leading professionals reflect the excellence and experiential focus of our public relations program at Mississippi State.ā
Founded in 1972, SPRF connects PR professionals across Alabama, North Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.
For more information aboutĢżMSUāsĢżCollege of Arts and SciencesĢżandĢżthe Department of Communication, Theatre and Media, visitĢżĢżand .
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