Celebrating Excellence: Cougar CloseUp Captures the Silver Star

by Ann Marie Kennon

While it is not uncommon for the halls of Jarrell High School to echo with cheers for game-day victories, the ISD recently celebrated a different kind of win — a prestigious Silver Star Award from the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) for its exceptional seasonal sports magazine and program, Cougar CloseUp. Designed with what Director of Communications Nick Spinetto calls “a sleek, Sports Illustrated-style look,” the magazine brings readers face to face with the spirit and achievements of Jarrell High School athletics. Each issue includes an in-depth look at the district’s sports culture, spotlighting coaches, senior players, and outstanding athletes across all sports.

Nick is pleased that each issue serves not only as a testament to the dedication and impressive nature of the sports teams but also fosters a strong sense of community and school pride. As such, this award recognizes the careful curation of content that resonates with students, parents, and the broader community, highlighting not only the hard work and commitment of the student-athletes but also the ISD staff behind the scenes. Now in its second year, Cougar CloseUp’s popularity underscores Nick’s and Jarrell ISD's commitment to excellence in communications, celebrating the rich tapestry of talent across the entire district.

INSPIRATION AND COLLABORATION

The initiative, envisioned by Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks, aims to amplify and honor the district’s athletic programs equitably. Her goal was to create a magazine that would be a one-stop shop for families and community members — allowing everyone to access rosters, schedules, and exclusive interviews with student-athletes in a fun and unique way.

Nick says the seasonal project is a collaboration of minds and efforts, relying on the industry expertise of local magazine publisher Fidelis Publishing Group to plan and produce the content for each upcoming sports season. With direction from Nick and Athletic Director Marty Murr, the team at Fidelis, who also publishes My Jarrell magazine locally, works directly with the coaches and athletes to craft content and stories that resonate with the community's heart.

Nick expressed his appreciation for the collaboration, emphasizing the integral role Fidelis plays in the success of Cougar CloseUp and why he chose them to partner on the project. "This magazine was truly a collaborative effort that would not have been possible without the professional expertise and outstanding reputation of Fidelis Publishing Group. Their dedication to editorial excellence and deep understanding of engaging community storytelling were instrumental in bringing our vision to life and achieving this recognition."

Hurdles And Success

For everyone involved, creating Cougar CloseUp is an enjoyable task, although the task of engaging with student-athletes and ensuring accurate, timely information is a hurdle the writers regularly face head-on. With a smile, Cougar CloseUp Editor Camy Reynolds says, “It is no surprise that the athletes the coaches choose to highlight are always ultra-busy with training and schoolwork so we are lucky to get a few minutes of time in their schedules.” Camy adds the company owes a big thanks to Lori Murr, who attends so many of the school’s athletic events and is generous in sharing her excellent stop-action photography for the layout.

Despite such challenges, the final product is always nothing short of extraordinary. “The strength of our publication lies in its in-depth portrayal of our athletic programs,” Nick says proudly.

Feedback And Future

Nick says the response from the community has been spectacular. The tangible, glossy pages provide a collective point of reference for the entire sports season, something the community values over the impersonality of digital searches. More importantly, it connects local businesses, proud parents, and inspired students as a celebration of achievements that go beyond the athletic fields.

Reflecting on the impact of this award, Nick acknowledged the ev er-evolving media landscape: “This recognition has reinforced the value of in-depth storytelling and the continu ous pursuit of innovative communica tion strategies to engage with families meaningfully.”

Editor Camy Reynolds says, “We knew we could turn Dr. Hicks and Nick’s vision into something they would be proud of — a wonderful keepsake for all the athletes and coaches featured. It is a privilege to have played a role in this award-winning achievement, and it is a pleasure to continue doing what we do best to serve our own school community in every new season.”

Looking Ahead

Buoyed by success and driven by innovation, Jarrell ISD is not resting on its laurels. “We’re already brewing ideas for the next school year,” Nick hints, teasing at initiatives that promise to highlight the remarkable happenings in classrooms as well as on sports fields.

Happily, Cougar CloseUp will continue to be a priority project for Fidelis and the ISD and with its reputation now silver-lined, Nick and his team look forward to future chapters that will captivate and inspire readers, celebrating the unity and talent that make us all a part of Cougar Nation.