September 12, 2023
The Prince George County School Board recognized Prince George High School's Social Media and Digital Marketing Class and its instructor, Mr. Chris Powell, and longtime Southside Virginia television news reporter Mr. Wayne Covil by naming each of them to the Virginia School Boards Association's 2023 Media Honor Roll, celebrating their commitment to showcasing Prince George County Public Schools and topics related to public education through their platforms.
Each year, in the early Fall, the VSBA Media Honor Roll recognizes media representatives for their essential role in supporting public education in their communities.
The criteria for the recognition include a commitment to getting to know their community's school superintendent and school board chair, reporting school news in a manner that is fair, accurate, and balanced, and regular engagement with the school community through attending district-sponsored events and visiting the division's school campuses.
The Prince George School Board and PGCPS division leadership joins students from the Prince George High School Social Media and Digital Marketing Class, their teacher Mr. Chris Powell (right) and WTVR CBS 6 Senior Reporter Wayne Covil (middle) following their nomination to the 2023 VSBA Media Honor Roll on Monday, September 11, 2023l. (PGCPS Photo)During the Prince George School Board's regular meeting on Monday, September 11, 2023, Mr. Powell, the high school’s social media and digital media marketing class, and Mr. Covil were recognized by school board members and the district's leadership, including superintendent Dr. Lisa Pennycuff and assistant superintendent Dr. Abbie Martin.
Mr. Chris Powell & PGHS Social Media and Digital Media Marketing Class
Mr. Powell and the high school's social media marketing class support the division communications team's goal to showcase unique stories across our district through PGCPS' official social media channels. Every year, students create posts, including special projects highlighting classmates, such as senior athletes, reports on school-level events, and other high-quality content featuring the division's programs and initiatives.
Over the last two years, Mr. Powell's students have created over 300 social media posts, contributing to the division's increased exposure and improved ability to tell our story. Additionally, in 2022, Mr. Powell and the social media marketing class were recognized by the VSBA through its Showcases For Success directory, highlighting successful K-12 programs across the Commonwealth.
Mr. Wayne Covil, Senior Reporter, WTVR CBS 6 News Richmond
Mr. Covil is a fixture of the Southside Virginia community, dating back to the 1990s during his time as Tri-Cities bureau chief for Richmond’s CBS affiliate, WTVR-TV 6. Through his reporting, including his special feature segment, “Wayne’s World,” Mr. Covil regularly finds time to showcase inspiring stories throughout our community, including those within our schools.
Recently, he visited students at L.L. Beazley Elementary School to highlight their contribution of hundreds of items to the Prince George Animal Shelter earlier this spring. Mr. Covil’s visit to the school brought smiles and laughs from the students and staff interviewed while also sharing the positive, uplifting story with audiences well beyond the borders of Prince George County.
"The relationship Prince George County Public Schools shares with our media partners is essential to our outreach efforts," PGCPS Communications and Public Relations Coordinator Michael Campbell said. "The high-quality storytelling of Mr. Powell's students through Prince George High School's Social Media and Digital Media Marketing Class perfectly complement the district's content creation efforts, serving as a partner that helps us share the great things happening in our schools. Additionally, collaborating with a veteran journalist of Mr. Covil's caliber, exemplified through Virginia Associated Press Award recognitions and multiple regional Emmy Award nominations, provides our district with a partner to share our story with our community here in Prince George County and beyond."
Later this year, VSBA will publish the Media Honor Roll in the VSBA Newsletter to recognize Mr. Powell, the social media and digital marketing class, Mr. Covil, and those honored across Virginia through this program.
For more information about the Virginia School Boards Association, visit their website at http://vsba.org.