ISPRA Communications Awards 2017

Last year, Woodward Academy competed in the Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) Communications Awards competition for the first time and scored really well, winning 3 out of 4 categories where we submitted entries. After last year's experience, we wanted to continue that expectation of excellence for our communications, but also knew that the competition would be equally as fierce from all school districts.

Of the 20 events, we identified 6 categories where we felt we could perform well, which included Brochure, Photography, Print Newsletter, Social Media, Video, and Website. As a local chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), it is policy that another state score the submissions based on rubrics, and this year the Arizona chapter judged the Iowa submissions.

The rubric for each submission looks at design, clarity and focus, writing quality, evaluation, and overall effect. When averaged together, if a submission scores between 7-8, they earn an Award of Merit. Scores between 8-10 earned an Award of Excellence. Out of that pool, submissions that scored 9 and above are eligible to earn the top honor: the Blue & Gold Award as the best in the state.

This year, there were 98 entries from 20 different school districts, the most ever for ISPRA. On Thursday, April 20, the results were announced and Woodward Academy once again scored well. Of the six categories, 1 submission received an Award of Merit (Social Media), and the other 5 all received high scores in the Award of Excellence range. Of those, 2 received the top prize of the Blue & Gold Award (print newsletter and website), and were recognized as the best in the state. This was the second year in a row that our Knightly Knews was recognized with the top award, and the website category recognized our newly launched site. You can see all of the results on the ISPRA website, and below is a recap of how Woodward Academy performed.

Iowa School Public Relations Association
Print Newsletter - Knightly Knews Vol. 38 and 39 - Blue & Gold Award
Website - www.wwacademy.com - Blue & Gold Award
Photography - Cross Country 2016 - Award of Excellence
Video - Become a Knight video series - Award of Excellence
Brochure - Become a Knight - Award of Excellence
Social Media - Facebook Page - Award of Merit

Winter Sports Posters 2016-2017 // Basketball and Powerlifting

The winter sports posters for the 2016-2017 season are out and both can be picked up on campus. Basketball is currently entering the post season and have looked solid throughout the year. The poster shows the team in action with a retro font feel and muted color scheme.

The powerlifters are just getting their competition season rolling. They performed well at the Des Moines Metro Classic in January where 9 lifters qualified for Nationals. Their next events are in Nebraska in February, and a home meet in March, with the end of the season happening at the USAPL High School National Championships at the end of March. This year, Nationals will be held in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

We have produced sports posters for each one of our teams since the 2008-2009 basketball season and often get asked how they get made. Each one is different and unique and is produced and printed on campus. For these two posters, individual pictures were taken of each athlete and composited together for the final poster. For the most recent updates, follow our Facebook page to get updates throughout the season and be sure to get a poster for your office next time you're on campus. After the break, you can view full images of each poster.

Fall Sports Posters // Football and Cross Country 2016

The fall sports posters for the 2016 season are out and can be picked up on campus. Both sports have begun competition and are getting a good early start to their seasons. Both posters showcase the team, with captains and key athletes playing a predominant role in the images. As always, the 2016 schedule is on there as well. If you have an opportunity to cheer on the Knights for some Friday, gridiron action, or on a golf course near you, I highly encourage you to do so. In the meantime, follow our Facebook page to get updates throughout the season.

Baseball Poster 2016 // Video

Now that the baseball season is in full swing, here is the official poster of the 2016 Woodward Academy Knights team. This year's squad has been performing well this season and there is still time to catch a game at Knights Field. The poster is a composite image of each individual player and a sweet aerial shot of the home field. Be sure to pick up yours today on campus to add to your collection.

If you would like to see additional pictures of the baseball team in action, you can visit our Knight Pics website and after the break, we have embedded a highlight video from one of the team's home games.

Track & Field Poster 2016

The track and field season is officially underway for the Knights and this is the first look at the team. The poster is a composite image of all of the athletes (captains up top), with Drake Stadium, home of the Iowa High School State Track & Field Meet, serving as the background. Iowa has had a fairly mild spring, which has allowed the team to spend more time on the track and less time in the gymnasium. Head Coach Shaun Mohon is feeling good about the season so far and feels as though it can be a special year for the Knights. "Right now, they are about 2 weeks ahead of where we were last year."

More indoor meets were added to this season's early schedule. The team has already competed at the Wartburg Indoor meet in Waverly, Iowa and at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, in addition to the Iowa State meet that the team has traditionally run at. These meets are always good tests for the team as they often compete against larger schools on non-traditional ovals. Now that the season is underway, the coaches are prepping the team to peak mid-May, just in time for Districts and the State Meet, which is scheduled for May 19-21. Go Knights!

Winter Sports Posters 2015-2016 // Basketball and Powerlifting

Both of the winter sports posters for the 2015-2016 seasons are out and can be picked up on campus. The basketball team is entering the post-season with a first round game against CMB, while the powerlifting team is preparing for the USAPL High School National Championships at the end of March. The posters are composite images with each athlete taking individual picture, which were later assembled for the final product. Both teams are looking to have a strong end to the season and we will provide updates on our Facebook page. So "like" us and stay in tuned with Knights athletics. 

Fall Sports Posters 2015 // Football and Cross Country

The fall sports posters for the 2015 season are out and can be picked up on campus. With a couple games and meets into the season, the Knights are getting into their stride this season. The football team got their first win in week 2 against a tough SE Warren team. The cross country team has been improving their times all year and can boast that two runners are consistently in the 18's with several more close. Both teams are looking to have a great end to the season. If you have a chance to get to a game or meet, cheer on the Knights. In the meantime, get updates on our Facebook page.

Baseball Poster 2015

Here is the official poster of the 2015 Woodward Academy baseball team. Despite the seemingly non-stop rain in Iowa, the season is progressing along and there is still time to catch a game at Knights Field. The team is entering the final stages of the season and are looking to end strong. This year's poster is a composite of each player with a pretty sweet aerial shot of Knight's Field in the background. If you're ever on campus and would like a poster for your office, let us know and you can show your Knights pride.

Track Poster 2015 // Practice Video

Here is the official poster of the 2015 Woodward Academy track & field team. The Knights have started the season strong and have some high aspirations as they move into the second half. They are certain to have some athletes competing at the Drake Relays next week and then they will prepare for districts after that in order to have a good showing at the state meet, held May 21-23 at Drake Stadium.

This year's team has shown a special ability to unite as a team. They push each other in practice and that is evidenced in the practice video below. Earlier this week, the team got worked as they ran hills on the bomb shelter. It is just one example of what their practices are like.

Powerlifting Poster 2015

Here is the official poster for the 2015 Woodward Academy Knights of Iron powerlifting team. The lifters already have 2 meets under their belt this season and have 2 more coming up in preparation for the USAPL High School National Championships, March 27-29 in Milwaukee, WI. This year's team won their second meet (there was no team competition during the first meet) and several lifters have earned individual honors including one who is now the American record holder in the squat and for his three-lift total.

The poster is a combination of individual shots of the lifters with images from practice in the background. If you're an campus, pick up a poster of the team and put March 14 on your calendar to attend Woodward Academy's home meet held in the Knights gymnasium.

Basketball Poster 2014-2015

Here is the official poster for the 2014-2015 Knights basketball team. Led by senior Ivan Johnson and junior Anthony Allen, the Knights are off to a great start this season and are a lot of fun to watch. Their balanced team and upbeat style has given opponents a lot of challenges and they plan to continue that trend into the second half of the season. If you didn't have a chance to see the video of the Knights beating a ranked and highly regarded 3A opponent during non-conference play, you can check that out by clicking here.

The image is a composite of individual pictures put together to form the team. If you're on campus, pick up a copy of the poster and attend a game if you get a chance. We'll have more on the team as the season progresses.

Football Poster 2014

Here is the official football poster for the 2014 Woodward Academy team. The Knights are showing signs of a promising year after a close loss in week 1 and a dominating win in week 2. The picture was taken at the home football field and is a variation to the traditional team picture in the bleachers. The image was taken as one picture and then isolated from the background to create the difference in colors. If you are ever on campus, grab a poster for your office and follow the Knights this season on Press Box Radio.

Cross Country Poster 2014

Here is the official poster of the 2014 Woodward Academy Knights cross country team. Like most of the other sports posters on campus, this one is a composite image, meaning that each athlete was photographed separately and later pieced together in Photoshop to create the final poster.

Each image was taken while competing at their first meet on Iowa State University's course. If you're ever on campus, pick up a poster and cheer on the Knights this fall sports season.

Baseball Poster 2014

Nothing says summer more than the Fourth of July and baseball. So this week we thought it would be a good time to unveil the official 2014 Knights baseball poster. The Iowa high school baseball season  starts fast and progresses at a hectic pace with upwards of 5 games a  week. The Knights have been playing well this season and have had a great time on the diamond. The season is already coming to an end with only a handful of games left.

The poster is a composite picture with each player being taken separately and the background images are of Knights Field. When you're on campus, pick one up and add it to your collection. If you want to see all of the other sports posters from the past 6 years, visit our Knight Pics website by clicking here.

Track Poster 2014

Pictured is the official poster of the 2014 Woodward Academy track and field team. The Knights have been off to a ridiculously good year thus far. To date, the team has won 5 of their 9 meets they have competed in and recently qualified runners for the Drake Relays. It was the first time since 2007 that WA runners have competed. You can read more about how they did at Drake here.

The team is looking to continue their momentum as they move into the final stretch of the season that includes the WCAC conference meet, Districts, and finally the state meet. The Knights hope to take another district title on May 15 where they have won 2 of the last 3. The end of the season will take place at Drake Stadium, May 22-24, during the state meet.

Basketball Poster 2013 - 2014

The 2013-2014 Iowa high school basketball season is fully underway at this point and we thought it would be a good idea to show off the team in the official Woodward Academy basketball poster. The Knights are led by first time head coach Dustin Sperling this season and have a lot of really talented players. The poster has a simple composite layout that has been digitally signed by all of the players. If you're on campus, grab a poster for your office and follow the Knights all season. You can check out a play by play of some of the games on Press Box Radio by clicking here.

Football Poster 2013

Week 1 of the Iowa high school football season is this Friday and the Knights host SE Webster in the home and season opener. Last year, the Knights went on to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time in school history after rattling off 4 wins at the end the season. Head coach Lorenzo White hopes to repeat that with this year's team. He has been with the team all four years and was the team's offensive coordinator last season.

With the season kicking off this Friday, we are showcasing the team in the official season poster. The team is poised on their home field, looking formidable. If you have a chance, check out a game and Go Knights!

XC Poster 2013 // Making of Video

The Woodward Academy cross country team starts their regular season this week in Ames at the Gilbert high school meet that is held on Iowa State University's campus. We thought it would be a good time to showcase the team with this season's official poster. With the season motto being "Train Insane or Remain the Same," we took to the back woods on Woodward Academy's campus to get the team dirty. We recently did a post about the cross country team's unique practices and dedication to team building. You can read that post here if you missed it. But this poster is a great reflection of how the team really practices at times. They really do train insanely. If you're interested in learning more about the poster, check out the short video after the break to see how the team prepped for the poster.

Baseball Poster 2013

Pictured is the official Woodward Academy Knights baseball poster for the 2013 season. At this point, the season is well underway so we're a little late getting it out, but it certainly shows off the team. We went with a colorful vintage feel to the poster using classic style baseball pennants as the background. Additionally, the players have a posterized filter on them that gives it a little bit a comic feel. If you're on campus, grab a poster and check out a game.

Powerlifting Poster 2013

We are clearly in the midst of powerlifting season with several of the last posts on this blog focusing on the team and their demolition path to Nationals. We've seen some of the lifters already after winning, so here is a look at them during practice. Pictured is the official poster for the 2013 team. The pictures were taken last week and composited together for the final image. Plenty more will be talk this team as they move towards the Nationals meet, April 5-7 in Denver, CO.