Annette Bagnall, Graphic Designer II at DCMO BOCES in Norwich and Dean Russin, Public Information Specialist. (Submitted photos)

CHENANGO COUNTY – Two DCMO BOCES employees have received recognition for their work from the New York State School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA). Dean Russin, Public Information Specialist, was awarded an Award of Excellence for Social Media and an Award of Honor for Photography in the 2023 NYSPRA Communications Contest. Annette Bagnall, Graphic Designer II, received an Award of Honor for Strategic Campaign in the annual contest.

Russin received both of his awards for work he did for Sherburne-Earlville Central School District, one of two area school districts he works with as a Public Information Specialist. Both the “A Star Is Born!” social media campaign and the photograph were from the “Marshall Man” movie project and premiere.


The Sherburne-Earlville Central School District supported the efforts and vision of Marshall Sepello, an S-E Elementary School third-grader who is living with congenital heart disease, with a record-breaking social-media campaign that helped his Make-A-Wish dream come true April 29, 2023. At age 9, Marshall became the youngest person to write, direct and star in a bona fide movie when his short superhero film premiered at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse. Marshall and his family and friends were among the stars of his film, based on a comic book he created and co-produced by American High Studios and Make-A-Wish Central New York.

Following a Sherburne-Earlville CSD Facebook campaign that started April 17 and featured 13 posts through the end of that month, the “Marshall Man” premiere drew more than 1,700 people – announced as a Make-A-Wish event attendance record – and resulted in more than $22,000 in donations on Marshall’s Wish Heroes page. The latter more than doubled Marshall’s goal of raising $10,000 to support the dreams of other Make-A-Wish Kids.


The award-winning photo captures some of the awe and joy of the young moviemaker as he arrives at the premiere to find news crews, photographers and throngs of fans waiting to greet him at the Landmark’s entrance while his name and movie title flashed in the giant, bright lights of the marquee.

This is the second time that Russin has been recognized for his work by NYSPRA– he previously won three awards in last year’s NYSPRA Communications Contest.

Annette Bagnall, Graphic Designer II at DCMO BOCES in Norwich, received her Award of Honor in the Strategic Campaign category for the work done on the CTE (Career and Technical Education) Month promotion last February. The annual campaign started two years ago, and the creative theme of the campaign recognized by NYSPRA was This is my classroom, emphasizing the CTE classroom for its unique hands-on learning for both high school students and young adults.

The campaign was multifaceted, targeting  middle  and high school students and young adults, along with providing information for school counselors and parents. It includes print materials, social media posts, and large promotional kits sent to the DCMO BOCES component school districts. The BOCES career counselors also used many of the materials in their school recruitment visits. Bagnall worked with Jennifer Waite, Director of Career and Technical Education for DCMO BOCES, and also credits Martha Ryan, DCMO BOCES Public and School Liason, with providing substantial support for the campaign.

The Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego Board of Cooperative Educational Services serves 16 Component School Districts with a variety of educational services for students, teachers, administrators, and the communities.

– Information from DCMO BOCES