THE HASPRA TIMES
Volume 2, Issue 5
Never Can Say Goodbye!
Happy February, HASPRA,
Our TSPRA conference is just a few short days away! I can't help but reflect on my time in this amazing organization and this regional chapter. I often think about October 2009 and how unsure I was that I could do the job that was afforded to me. Returning home to my childhood district in Port Arthur ISD to create a school PR department was so daunting. I didn't know how I could do it, but I just knew that I could. Had it not been for TSPRA, I would not be where I am today. I am eternally grateful to Melissa T. and Mark K. for giving me my first opportunity to serve. Coming from Southeast Texas, we didn't have many opportunities to mix and mingle with the exemplar school PR departments in the Houston area. Becoming active in HASPRA literally gave me the tools to succeed. Linsae Snider, former TSPRA Executive Director, was a shining example of what it took to lead such an important organization. I learned so much from her and through my time on the EC, I established relationships with leaders from across the state.
Many of the important moments of my life have had TSPRA/HASPRA as a part of it. From marriage to having the Nugget, to losing everything in Hurricane Harvey, earning my APR, transitioning to my first leadership role in Goose Creek CISD and earning the coveted Platinum Award for our hard work to surviving stage 1 breast cancer to now leading my own team in a large, Houston district and being elected as your 2024-2025 TSPRA President-Elect-I am so blessed! I often say that the road isn't easy and even now, it's still a pretty hard hill to climb, but I know that I'm doing what I'm destined to do for a time such as this.
As my time as your HASPRA VP comes to a close, I want to thank you all for your continuous support over the years. I have truly enjoyed serving as your HASPRA VP for the past two years and I know that Joel will do an amazing job in his new role as your leader. Please put your full support behind him. We will both need your leadership skills in our new roles and we want to see you active on committees. Show the world how it goes down in H-town (and surrounding areas, of course)!
Thank you God, my parents, my man, my Nugget, my supes (past and present): Dr. Brown, Dr. Porterie, Dr. O'Brien, and Dr. Mays; my school PR comms teams in Port Arthur ISD, Goose Creek CISD and Alief ISD; TSPRA Executive Committee (past and present); my school PR text thread crew (you know who you are); my APR crew (never would have made it without Danielle, Sheleah, Veronica S., and Valonia), TABSE/HAABSE (Thank you, Kim and Sonya); my sorority sisters, TSPRA Female Boss President Crew: Kristin, Patti, Melissa, Monica, Veronica S., Veronica C., Megan, Rebecca, and 2024-2025 President Arianna and every single one of you that has poured into my life-thank you. Your presence in my life has made me a better person and I wish you all the best. Remember-put you first. Those jobs will be there!
Signing out as your HASPRA VP and tapping in as your 2024-2025 TSPRA President Elect....see ya'll on the other side!
Thee Kristyn Hunt Cathey, APR
"I will not lose, for even in defeat, there's a valuable lesson learned, so it evens up for me."
Grammy-award winner and businessman, Jay-Z
HASPRA 22-24 MEMORIES
Passing the Torch!
1st HASPRA Meeting as VP
Doing the work with the TSPRA EC!
WELCOME TO THE STAGE: YOUR NEW HASPRA VP
TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW SEASON WITH NEW LEADERSHIP
Dear HASPRA,
This month marks 17 years for me in school PR—a great career choice that has allowed me to connect with and learn from those who perform life-changing work on campus as well as those who support and promote that work. We as school communicators fall into that latter group. Though often unseen and unheralded, our efforts can touch the hearts of our communities, provide a voice for the next generation and even impact legislation.
It is a privilege to serve our respective school districts, but we can’t do it alone—even if you’re a one-person team! The years of experience and knowledge from the HASPRA community are invaluable to us when we can’t find the right words to say, need guidance on a difficult situation or even just want to vent to someone who understands. I have learned so much from the people in this group. As incoming VP, I plan to continue the successful facilitation of this vital resource that Kristyn and past VPs have upheld.
Thank you for all the work you do each day to support the students and staff in Greater Houston and the surrounding communities. I’m proud to represent the best TSPRA region in the state!
Sincerely,
Joel Weckerly
TSPRA Houston/Beaumont Regional VP