By Vish Gopal

Two BYU public relations students, seniors Tiffany Harston and Boston Blake placed second and third respectively in the fifth annual Utah PR Student of the Year competition, sponsored by the Salt Lake City chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Boston Blake

Tiffany Harston

In the competition, five finalists are selected from 30 university PR students statewide. The finalists are then invited to a live competition where each contestant has to write a timed press release, pitch a story to a journalist, handle a crisis and present their campaign. The awards were announced at the annual PRSA Golden Spike Awards in Salt Lake City.

“I feel the PR program prepared me well for the presentation,” Harston said. “Throughout the program, I have had ample opportunities to practice presenting campaigns, ideas and research. Additionally, the mock press conference in Comms 421 (PR writing and production) was helpful in preparing me for the crisis event.”

Blake attributes his selection to the PR program and said that it prepares students to think strategically, not just tactically.

“Many programs just teach students how to do the tactics, but the BYU program teaches us more than just the work, but how to make the work effective,” Blake said. “That was something the judges told me made my work acceptable for the top five and eventually top three, after the live competition.”

In the BYU communications program, students are put through a rigorous course curriculum where they get a chance to produce actual PR collateral for real clients. Our faculty play a vital role in preparing students for the everyday challenges of professional communication.

“Professors Wakefield and Walton helped me prepare for the competition,” Harston said. “Both Professors Walton and Wilson came to the live presentation of the campaign. Having their presence was a huge support.”

Boston also recognizes the hard work of the faculty and attributes their dedication toward the students for his success.

“Professor Walton gave me great counsel and guidance for making my work effective and professional,” he said. “She took the time to meet with me and show me some good examples that guided my strategy presentation.”

Placing in the final three has been a rewarding experience for both Harston and Boston.

“I would highly encourage any student to enter this and other competitions. I not only achieved something to put on my resume and some award money, but also learned a ton,” Harston said. “In class we learn a lot about strategy and how to create campaigns, but this competition was the first time I pitched a story to a news reporter or presented a campaign to real PR professionals.”

The Public Relations Society of America is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals, with nearly 32,000 professional and student members. The Greater Salt Lake Chapter is one of the many local and regional chapters, with 165 PR and communications professionals from the Salt Lake Valley and southeast Idaho.