Meet the 2015 Statesman Social Media Awards Top 10

SSMA Top 10:

• Ashley Jones (@FrostJonesy) Ashley Jones is a second grade teacher at Jack Frost Elementary in Georgetown who uses social media to showcase what her students are working on, but also to show her students how social media, especially Twitter and Instagram, can enhance education in the classroom. She'll live stream beaches just as summeritis starts to set in, or coordinate a Facetime call for her students to chat with their digital pen pal. She also runs Project 2025, where colleges mail materials for the students to learn about their programs and campuses. She posts homework and lessons on the class's website, http://frostjonesy.weebly.com. According to one of the 108 comments on her nomination, "Ashley has a great way to inspire students through the use of technology! Every student in her classroom is 100% engaged!" — Addie Broyles http://twitter.com/FrostJonesy/status/590952674465447937 http://twitter.com/FrostJonesy/status/595230917649571840  
• Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau Given Austin's high profile, it doesn't seem like a tough job to make the city look good on the Web. But the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau team for Visit Austin, led by Katie Cook, still puts out information – from gorgeously produced YouTube videos to highly relevant Tweets to maps to shopping deals – that are useful not only for visitors, but for locals as well. From the Austin Insider Blog to a sumptuous Instagram account (check out their Instagram Walks), Austin rarely looks better than it does through the lens of Visit Austin's expansive social media efforts. As one commenter on her nomination said, "Katie (Cook) gives way more than she gets – and is totally committed to the city and social media community. She is a breath of fresh air!" — Omar Gallaga [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXajzqwQAbE&w=640&h=390]
• Central Texas Better Business Bureau The Central Texas Better Business Bureau has long been a watchdog protecting citizens from online scams and shady business practices, but in recent years, they've stepped up their web game with a more visual approach. Whether it's with infographics that enhance their email newsletters and websites or videos that showcase the BBB's staff, the efforts are putting a friendlier face on what could otherwise be dry warnings and tips. But what's really put the organization over the top is its funny Vine videos, its accessible, approachable presence on Twitter and Facebook and public events like the "BBB Shred Day" that provide a public service in addition to an avenue to meet staffers from the BBB. — Omar Gallaga    
• Drink and Click Drink and Click is a now-global photography and social media community launched by photographer Juan Gonzalez in Austin, Texas. Now with chapters in places as far away as Australia and Tokyo, Drink and Click is a group for photographers to get together, share a drink while talking about photography and social media – and then go take some photos and share them on social media. While Drink and Click is still a young and growing presence on social media, the community is promoting beautiful photography and sharing it with the world on social media. And they are one of the few entrants we have seen to the SSMAs who use Google+ actively and effectively for their audience. — Jackie Stone    
• MyFitFamily Nicole Scott is the fitness and family blogger behind MyFitFamily.com, but it's her Facebook page where you can get a sense of the empowerment that her posts inspire. Last summer, she rallied that online community to raise more than $30,000 for a lung cancer foundation, but it's the day-to-day conversation that her heartfelt, often intimate writing inspires that make Scott's work in social media stand out. "She has a 'never give up' attitude and continues to be an inspiration to all who know her," writes one commenter. — Addie Broyles    
• Onnit Labs At its heart, social media is about building community. Austin-based Onnit is a health supplement company, but their social media and online presence is heavily centered around appealing to and building a community in the health and fitness world. When we see brands and businesses using social media not just to pitch and promote themselves, but to really connect with their audience – it is impressive. In addition to catering to their hundreds of thousands of followers on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels, Onnit also produces regular podcasts and YouTube videos about health and fitness. — Jackie Stone  
• Round Rock ISD School districts are expected to connect with parents on all kinds of social media platforms, but Round Rock ISD exceeds those expectations by allowing schools to have their own Instagram accounts, hosting Google hangouts and using Google Plus for its fall Ninja Academy, posting photos on SmugMug, Snapchat and Instagram, and tweeting essential news but also lighter content to show off how their students and teachers are excelling. — Addie Broyles    
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Texas Parks and Wildlife is a past winner of the Statesman Social Media Awards, but has made it back into our top 10 this year thanks to their continued efforts to use social media to connect Texans to the outdoors. Their vibrant Instagram feed still stands out, as does their YouTube channel featuring guides to various activities and historic sites at the state parks as well as stories from and about Texans experiencing the great outdoors. A tour of their Facebook and Twitter accounts (and there are hundreds) regularly reveals social media efforts that are not only promoting the state parks, but also engaging with Texans about the outdoors – whether that's helping identify a backyard lizard for a commenter or sharing photos from visitors to Texas parks. As one of more than 300 commenters put it: "Texas Parks and Wildlife's Facebook page is the most engaging, useful, joyful thing on Facebook — better than cat videos or pictures of my nieces in Pittsburgh." — Jackie Stone [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQabf2GcT1s&w=640&h=390]