EDCOE's Dina Gentry wins national award

El Dorado County Office of Education’s (EDCOE) Communications Director, Dina Gentry has been awarded the prestigious “35 Under 35” Award the National School Public Relations Association.

During their seminar in Washington, D.C., the group recognizes the next generation of aspiring leaders in public school communications. Dina was nominated by other school communicator colleagues outside of El Dorado County, and applications were collected from across the United States. During the seminar, Dina was also officially pinned for achieving her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), administered through the Public Relations Society of America.

“It is an honor and privilege to learn and grow under County Superintendent Dr. Ed Manansala’s mentorship, EDCOE team members, school district administrators, and community leaders so we may serve El Dorado County schools and students with the strongest resources,” Dina expressed. “Thank you for everyone who supported my journey, especially my family!”

“Dina is a proud product of El Dorado County schools, and she exemplifies professionalism, excellence, and service. Dina is deeply committed to the children, educators, and communities in El Dorado County. The national acknowledgement is well deserved,” stated County Superintendent Dr. Ed Manansala. Dina credits her teachers for fostering a love for reading, writing, and innovation that led to her career today. She attended Sutter’s Mill Elementary, EDCOE’s Extended Day Program, Gold Trail School and Golden Sierra High School. She enjoys giving back to the community and schools through her work and volunteer efforts. Dina’s passion lies in helping people find their voice, speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves, engaging the community to help every student succeed, empowering educational administration to harness the power of strategic communications and promoting the value of El Dorado County educators.

She serves on several non-profit fundraising committees, such as Placerville Kiwanis’ Studebaker Wheelbarrow Races, and is a board member for Sierra Community Access, Channel 2. These opportunities, including the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Leadership El Dorado Program,’ groomed her leadership skills. She contributes at the statewide level on the board of California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA) as the Capitol/Foothills Region Chair. “We have a special community in El Dorado County where good people love to work together to create great things. I’m grateful for those community leaders who empower others, like myself, to become servant leaders,” she added. “It is also important for El Dorado County alumni to recognize that you can absolutely come back home and maintain a successful career. Many of us are contributing to the area and community that raised us and could not be happier.”