Simmons University Communications Students Earn Prestigious Bell Ringer Awards in the USA
Understanding the Bell Ringer Awards and Public Relations Standards in the USA
The public relations and communications landscape in the USA is highly competitive, requiring emerging professionals to demonstrate not just theoretical knowledge, but practical, campaign-ready skills. Industry recognition at the regional level serves as a critical benchmark for this professional readiness. The PR Club of New England’s Bell Ringer Awards stand as one of the most respected evaluators of public relations, communications, and marketing work in the northeastern United States. Held annually, this event gathers seasoned professionals, agency leaders, and academics to celebrate excellence in the field.
The 58th Annual Bell Ringer Awards, hosted at the Boston Museum of Science by Emmy Award-winning GBH reporter Edgar B. Herwick, marked a significant milestone for the industry. This year, the ceremony introduced a dedicated Student Work division, acknowledging the critical role that universities play in shaping the next generation of communicators. For a higher education institution, having students recognized in a brand-new category at such a prominent event is a clear indicator of curriculum strength. It demonstrates that the coursework and practical assignments provided to students meet the rigorous standards of professional industry bodies. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how academic programs align with industry expectations.
Showcasing Editorial Expertise: Nevaeh Berenato’s Award-Winning Concert Review
Among the notable student honors this year was Nevaeh Berenato ’26, a Communications student at Simmons University, who secured a Merit Award for her music journalism. Berenato’s recognized piece, “Concert Review: Maruja Protests with Punk at the Sinclair,” was published in The Simmons Voice in September 2025. This achievement highlights the enduring value of specialized editorial writing and arts journalism within a broad communications education.
Writing an effective concert review requires a distinct set of skills that differ significantly from traditional news reporting or corporate copywriting. The writer must capture the visceral energy of a live performance, contextualize the music within broader cultural or political frameworks, and engage an audience that may not have attended the event. In the case of Berenato’s review of Maruja, the article successfully intertwined musical critique with social commentary, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of how punk music serves as a medium for protest. This type of culturally relevant, critically engaged writing is exactly what modern arts publications and cultural institutions seek in emerging journalists.
Berenato’s recognition was supported by the mentorship of Associate Professor of Practice Carla Kath. This faculty-student dynamic is a cornerstone of the Simmons University educational model, where experienced practitioners guide students in refining their voices and honing their craft to professional standards. Have questions? Write to us! to discuss the role of faculty mentorship in student success.
Executing High-Impact Health Communications: The Studio 5 Campaign
While individual journalism showcases personal voice, public relations fundamentally relies on strategic teamwork and campaign management. The second Merit Award presented to Simmons University students went to the collaborative team known as Studio 5. This group of eight students—Abigail Sadow, Amelia MacNeil, Charlotte Skaal, Danielle Williams, Lily Daigle, Mariella Johnson, Micah Guillermo, and Nicole Mundung, all from the Class of 2026—was recognized for their campaign, “Elevating Pediatric Airway Health Awareness & Expertise.”
Developed in partnership with Smile Brookline, a specialized healthcare practice, this campaign required students to navigate the complexities of medical communications. Health care public relations presents unique challenges: communicators must translate dense, highly technical medical information into accessible, engaging content for the general public, all while maintaining strict adherence to scientific accuracy and patient privacy standards. The Studio 5 team had to identify target audiences—likely parents and caregivers—determine the most effective channels to reach them, and craft messaging that emphasized the importance of pediatric airway health without causing unnecessary alarm.
By earning a Merit Award at the Bell Ringer Awards, the Studio 5 team proved their ability to function as a cohesive, effective agency. They successfully moved a project from the initial research and strategy phase through to execution and external evaluation, delivering tangible value to a real-world client. Explore our related articles for further reading on student-led agency models and health communications strategies.
The Power of Interdisciplinary Collaboration
A closer look at the composition of the Studio 5 team reveals a strategic advantage inherent to the Simmons University approach: interdisciplinary collaboration. The students brought together expertise from diverse academic tracks, including public relations and marketing communications, general communications, computer science, and political science.
In modern public relations agencies, the most successful campaigns are rarely produced by communication generalists alone. A campaign focused on health awareness benefits immensely from a political science major’s understanding of health policy and regulatory environments. A computer science background contributes to data analysis, digital strategy, or the development of interactive campaign elements. By breaking down academic silos and encouraging students from different disciplines to collaborate, Simmons University accurately mirrors the cross-functional team structures found in top-tier PR agencies across the USA.
Building a Competitive Edge Through Practical Curriculum
The success of these students at the Bell Ringer Awards underscores a critical lesson for prospective higher education students: theoretical knowledge is necessary, but applied experience is what secures employment and industry recognition. Employers in the communications sector expect recent graduates to understand media relations, content creation, campaign metrics, and client management from day one.
Simmons University facilitates this through structures like Studio 5, which operates as a student-run communications agency. These experiential learning opportunities require students to manage real budgets, interact with real clients like Smile Brookline, and face the consequences of their strategic decisions. When students work on live campaigns, they build a professional portfolio that immediately sets them apart in the job market. A Merit Award from the PR Club of New England acts as a third-party validation of the quality of that portfolio, signaling to future employers that the student’s work has already been vetted by industry professionals.
Furthermore, platforms like The Simmons Voice provide essential training grounds for aspiring journalists and editors. Managing publication deadlines, adhering to editorial standards, and writing for a specific campus audience develops discipline and versatility. Nevaeh Berenato’s transition from writing for a university publication to receiving regional industry news is a direct pipeline from academic practice to professional acclaim.
What These Achievements Mean for Aspiring Communications Professionals
For high school students, transfer students, and career-changers evaluating communications programs in the USA, external accolades like the Bell Ringer Awards should serve as a key metric during the college search process. Prospective students should actively investigate whether a university’s curriculum incorporates client-based projects, student-run agencies, and opportunities for portfolio development.
When reviewing a university, look beyond the course catalog. Investigate the faculty’s professional backgrounds, the university’s relationships with local organizations and businesses for internship and project partnerships, and the track record of student achievements in regional and national competitions. The fact that Simmons University students were honored in the inaugural Student Work division of a major regional awards ceremony indicates an institutional commitment to staying current with industry trends and preparing students for immediate professional integration.
Choosing a program that emphasizes practical application, interdisciplinary teamwork, and ethical communication practices provides a foundation for long-term career growth. Whether a student’s goal is to become a music journalist, a healthcare communications director, or a corporate public relations strategist, the underlying requirement is the same: the ability to produce high-quality, strategic work under real-world conditions. Submit your application today to join a community that prioritizes practical, award-winning communications education.
