Castleberry ISD was nominated in multiple education-related categories in the 2026 DFW Favorites contest, a regional awards program presented by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I developed and managed a multi-channel campaign to make voting simple, increase community participation, and turn the final results into lasting reputation-building assets.
The campaign included web banners, social graphics, Instagram Stories, ParentSquare messages, winner announcement graphics, a full-page advertisement in the DFW Favorites publication, 12-foot by 6-foot campus recognition banners, and a public school board presentation celebrating the results.
310,000+
Votes Cast
414
Nominations in Represented Categories
22.6K
Combined Results Post Views
80+
Shares Across Results Posts
My Role
Campaign strategy · Graphic design · Copywriting · Channel planning · ParentSquare distribution · Social media publishing · Performance tracking · Print ad design · Campus banner planning · Board presentation
The Challenge
DFW Favorites created a valuable visibility opportunity, but the ballot structure required voters to find multiple Castleberry schools and programs across several categories. The campaign needed to make participation simple, repeatable, and easy to understand while maintaining brand consistency across digital, direct communication, print, and in-person recognition channels.
THE STRATEGY
The campaign used a two-phase strategy: first, make voting simple; then, turn the results into lasting brand proof.
01 — Drive Participation
During the voting period, the campaign focused on clarity and action. Voters needed to know where to go, which categories to find, which Castleberry schools and programs were nominated, and when voting ended. I created platform-specific reminders for ParentSquare, Facebook, Instagram, web placements, and Instagram Stories to reduce friction and keep the campaign visible throughout the voting window. ParentSquare delivered voting instructions directly to families, staff, students, alumni, and community members, while social media reinforced daily voting reminders and provided direct links to the ballot.
02 — Extend the Recognition
After winners were announced, the strategy shifted from participation to proof. I used the recognitions as third-party validation for Castleberry ISD’s schools, programs, staff, and community reputation. The results were amplified through winner announcement graphics, social media content, a full-page advertisement in the DFW Favorites publication, 12-foot by 6-foot campus banners, and a public school board presentation.
15.4K Facebook Views
7.2K Instagram Views
80 Combined Shares
03 — Campus + Print Amplification
The 2026 results created several major reputation proof points for Castleberry ISD. Castleberry Elementary and Irma Marsh Middle School each earned Gold for the third consecutive year. Castleberry High School moved from Silver in 2025 to Gold in 2026, and Castleberry ISD swept the Elementary School category with Gold, Silver, and Bronze recognitions.
To extend the impact beyond digital channels, I designed and budgeted for 12-foot by 6-foot recognition banners to be displayed at winning campuses. I also created a full-page paid advertisement for the DFW Favorites winners publication, turning the contest results into visible, long-term brand proof for families, staff, students, and community members.
Public Presentation
I presented the 2026 DFW Favorites recognitions during a public school board meeting, using the moment to celebrate staff, reinforce campus pride, and connect the awards to Castleberry ISD’s broader reputation story.
Takeaway
The DFW Favorites campaign showed how a local recognition opportunity can become more than an awards push. By combining direct communication, platform-specific creative, social reminders, post-award storytelling, campus recognition banners, paid publication placement, and public board recognition, the campaign converted community pride into visible third-party brand proof that could support enrollment marketing, campus reputation, and district storytelling beyond the voting period.