Thank you to those who were able to join us for our 2024-2025 Spring Recognition event!
The evening was filled with conversation, laughter, good eats and celebration. During our event, we were able to highlight the amazing work that our PTA/PTSAs are doing. Check out the video below to see GREATNESS in action! Please take a moment to fill out our post event survey! We would love all PTA presidents to fill it out whether or not you had anyone from your school attend. And, please, pass the survey along to your attendees to complete as well! During the Spring Recognition Celebration on June 4, 2025, Northshore Council PTSA recognized a few special people who go above and beyond in service to our community and promote the well-being and education of children in our district and beyond. Below are this year's Northshore Council PTSA Recognition Awards Recipients. Congratulations!
A special thank you to this year's Awards Committee members: Diana Christiansen, Tracy Jokisch and Jane Chiodo. Learn more about PTA Recognition Awards and how your PTA can recognize those who go above and beyond in your school community. Awards are a great way for PTAs to show their volunteers and community members how much they appreciate them and to celebrate the dedication of those who support the PTA's mission and goals. Many PTAs participate in WSPTA's formal volunteer award recognition program, which allows them to honor outstanding educators, advocates, student advocates, and volunteers (Golden Acorn). A portion of the cost of these awards goes directly toward the WSPTA Scholarship Program, benefiting students. This means the recognition given to our amazing volunteers also helps students pay for continued education, making it a gift that keeps on giving! Below is the 2024-2025 list of award recipients from PTAs across Northshore School District! Congratulations! 2024-2025 |
PTA |
Award |
Arrowhead Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn - Heather Buchanan Golden Acorn - Aleksandra Zydor Outstanding Educator - Alma Howe Outstanding Advocate - Becky Fukuda Honorary Lifetime Membership - Nikki Noble |
Bear Creek Campus PTSA |
Golden Acorn Award - Alynda Silcox Golden Acorn Award - Rick Silcox Outstanding Educator Award - Leslie Harwood Outstanding Educator Award - Karyn Brady Outstanding Advocate Award - Brian Matthias |
Canyon Creek Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn - Ashley Watts Outstanding Educator - Rochelle Burns Outstanding Advocate - Shannon Cook |
Frank Love Elementary PTA |
Outstanding Volunteer - Renae Sowald Outstanding Educator - Rebecca Wynkoop Outstanding Advocate - Stephanie Sullivan |
Lockwood Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn - Kris Somol Hamasaki Outstanding Educator - Tracy Hetherington Outstanding Advocate - Carly Lawhead |
Leota Middle School PTSA |
Golden Acorn - Monika Jilka Outstanding Educator - Tavina Flood Outstanding Advocate - Heather Hoskeer Outstanding Student Advocate - Dylan M. |
Inglemoor High School PTSA |
Golden Acorn - Genoveva Marin Golden Acorn - Erin Schultz Outstanding Educator - Katrina Allemeier Outstanding Advocate - Kris Winkel-Leddige Outstanding Student Advocate - Annabelle Y. Honorary Lifetime Membership - Rich Kobylka |
Innovation Lab HS PTSA |
Golden Acorn - Mo Diehl Outstanding Advocate - Jane Chiodo Outstanding Student Advocate - M. S. Outstanding Student Advocate - Sarah Z. |
Kenmore Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn - Kellie Corcoran Golden Acorn - Sarah Linville |
Maywood Hills Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn - Vanessa Arnaiz Martinez-Malo Outstanding Educator - Megan Ham Outstanding Educator - Jennifer Deskin Outstanding Advocate - Allegra Hollenbeck Outstanding Advocate - Zandra Leitch Tiger Paw Award - Amy Dirkes, Bekka Gunderson, Cathy Baker, Chelsea Nelson, Elizabeth Krout, Kate Richards, Kathleen Wick, Krystal Davis, Maija Waugh, Rachel Asimakopoulos, Renee Heizenga, Sarah Hanson |
Moorlands Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn - Brynn Noggle Outstanding Educator - Alison Thompson Outstanding Advocate - Danelle Gunderson Outstanding Advocate - Amanda Martinka Lifetime Membership - Christine Hammers |
Northshore Middle School PTSA |
Golden Acorn - Veronica Webb Outstanding Educator - Corey Wackerly Outstanding Educator - Katherine Edwards Outstanding Advocate - Mare Sullivan |
Northshore Special Education Community PTSA |
Golden Acorn - Mr. Michael Tolley |
Ruby Bridges Elementary PTSA |
Golden Acorn - Brittany Badali Outstanding Educator - Kim Reiprich Outstanding Advocate - Aaron Cokley |
Woodin Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn - Michele Ngo Outstanding Educator - Amy Walsh Outstanding Educator - Stacey Dixey Outstanding Advocate - Terise Waters Honorary Lifetime Membership - Victoria Kramer |
Awards of Excellence
Membership Awards
WSPTA Membership Awards in 2024-2025!!
- Bronze Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling at least one more member than their previous year’s total membership.
- Silver Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 105% of their previous year’s total membership.
- Gold Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 110% of their previous year’s total membership.
- Platinum Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 120% of their previous year’s total membership.
Does your PTA give out a Golden Acorn award? Maybe an Outstanding Educator, or an Outstanding Advocate award? Or more? Please share with us this year's recipient(s) by completing this form. We would like to create a list of all of our local PTA award winners to share with the community. These volunteers deserve to be celebrated!!! |
If you announce your awards after June 1st, please complete the form after your awards are given and we can update the information on our website blog.
Questions? Contact at [email protected].
WSPTA has a formal volunteer award recognition program allowing local PTAs to award honors for outstanding educator, advocate, student advocate, and volunteer (Golden Acorn), as well as the honorary life membership award.
Local PTAs should appoint an awards committee who will gather nominations, review them, and choose the award recipients. This can be done during a meeting or some PTAs even choose to have the previous year's award recipients chair this committee. Check your Standing Rules as it may say who is on the committee. When the awards committee advertises for nomination submissions, it can be done via social media, newsletters, website, email, or even school flyers. To make it even easier for members to submit nominations, the awards committee can create an online submission form using tools like Google Forms or Survey Monkey.
For recognizing the award recipients, your PTA can hold a volunteer recognition event or take time during a Membership Meeting to celebrate them. WSPTA offers a variety of items your PTA can order online to celebrate your award recipients including certificates, pins, plaques, and even yard signs!
- Golden Acorn – presented to volunteer(s) in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth in your community.
- Outstanding Advocate – Honors individuals for their continued and dedicated service to ALL children demonstrating a commitment to speaking up for children in the areas relating to health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth.
- Honorary Life Membership – Recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This special award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region.
- Outstanding Student Advocate Award - Recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community.
- Outstanding Educator – Individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging.
We all know people within our community who give a little extra, work a little harder, and who are always volunteering! Now YOU can help us recognize these people by nominating them for a Northshore Council PTSA Recognition Award! We'll celebrate them at our Spring Recognition Event on June 4th! |
2025 Northshore Council PTSA Awards Nomination Form
Click link to complete form.
Nominations deadline Monday, APRIL 28, 2025!
Multiple submissions can be completed for multiple nominees!
- Outstanding Educator – Honors individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging. An educator is not limited to a teacher and may be defined as a teacher, assistant, specialist, support staff, administrator, or community member.
- Outstanding Advocate – Honors individuals for their continued and dedicated service to ALL children demonstrating a commitment to speaking up for children in the areas relating to health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth.
- Outstanding Service - This is the highest volunteer award given by the Washington State PTA. It is awarded to someone who has gone beyond his or her own school community, job, or PTA in order to give dedicated volunteer service to children. Note: This award may only be given by a council. Local PTA members are encouraged to nominate deserving volunteers to the council for this recognition.
- Honorary Life Membership – Recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This special award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region.
- Outstanding Student Advocate Award - Recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community.
- Golden Acorn – A Golden Acorn Award is presented to a Northshore Council PTSA volunteer in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth.
Questions? Contact Council Awards Committee.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | 5:30pm - 8pm | Eastside Church
If you are interested in joining the planning committee, please contact our Co-VPs of Events,
Melissa Bennett & Ashley Russell @ [email protected].
The first meeting will be held on Monday, March 31 at 7 PM via Zoom.
Outstanding Educator Award The Outstanding Educator Award honors individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging. Northshore Council PTSA’s Outstanding Educator this year goes to Renee Nicholas from Frank Love Elementary. Renee teaches with passion, competency and empathy. During covid she routinely drove to students’ homes to leave off supplies and little gifts, building a beautiful connection with kids even when they could not be in person, remembering their siblings too. Thoughtful is an under exaggeration when it comes to describe Renee, she is loving, kind, caring and a true mentor for her students. When it comes to giving positive encouragement, I am amazed how she does it even when kids can have 'bumps' as she describes. Renee has been known to write 3-page letters for multiple students’ reports detailing their strengths, accomplishments and positive supportive feedback. She is truly exceptional. She has been teaching at Frank Love Elementary School since it opened and has trained many staff and administrators to be successful in their roles. Even in her last few weeks of school she is all in, guiding students to do their best academically and socially. She truly believes in helping kids be the best version of themselves. Three words to describe her are exceptional, dedicated and patient. Congratulations, Renee! | Outstanding Educator Award Our second Outstanding Educator award goes to a teacher nominated for his exceptional work as a music educator. The learning environment he has created is second to none, he has a magnetic personality and is a teacher extraordinaire, which shows in every way possible but especially in the way that the students look up to and respect him while they work hard for their common goal of creating a great music experience. This teacher instills confidence in his students and empowers them to explore their passion and to expand their skills under his thoughtful guidance and encouragement. He is the kind of teacher which some of us are lucky enough to encounter in our formative school years and later will recognize and think of as the one teacher that truly made a difference for our growth and willingness to do our very best. He enables a safe, respectful, supportive and highly productive learning environment, goes the extra mile in class, during concert performances and in giving all students opportunities to showcase their talents. This teacher doesn’t just rock his job during the school day, but he comes to school early to teach jazz band before school starts and the students willingly show up at school at 7 am to spend time learning from and with him because they see the potential in what comes of this kind of respectful and giving student-teacher relationship. Three words to describe this person are dedicated, impactful, and cherished by his students. Our second Outstanding Educator Award goes to Cole Van Gerpen of Canyon Park Middle School. Congratulations! |
Outstanding Student Advocate Award The Outstanding Student Advocate Award recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community. Our recipient of this award this year has been involved in ASB the past few years, but her advocacy goes beyond work in student government. This student was also actively involved in advocating for youth mental health the past few years, having written a book on the subject, created “Emotion” cards and hosted Mental Health fairs. This student is currently partnering with the Northshore School District on the Mental Health projects, one of which is the launch of Nexus, an online platform that provides self-support to students using vetted strategies and peer talks, available 24/7 to all NSD students. Three words to describe this student are good-hearted, ambitious, well-meaning. Our Outstanding Student Advocate this year is Taanvi Arekapudi. Congratulations! Golden Acorn Award The Golden Acorn Award is presented to a Northshore Council PTSA volunteer in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth. This year’s recipient has been involved in local PTAs at all levels, as well as Council. She is also involved with and supports local community organizations. In addition to her role on Council she frequently volunteers for committees and puts a lot of time into events such as Spring Recognition and the Presidents and Principals event. She is always willing to lend a hand when someone needs a graphic or flyer or tech help. Her work on Council directly resulted in at least two of the awards Council received from WSPTA last month. As if putting out a bi-weekly newsletter wasn’t already a lot for a volunteer position, imagine how un-fun that must be when people constantly forget to send her material for the newsletter despite her very clear communication of deadlines :P. Our community has benefited from her work as she is constantly finding resources, parent education classes, and community events to share about in our communications. As the VP of Communications, she not only creates and publishes our newsletter, but also manages our website and social media accounts. She is a Communications Rock Star. Three words that describe this person are dependable, creative, and knowledgeable This year’s recipient of the Golden Acorn award from Northshore Council PTSA is Jennifer Snyder. Congratulations! Honorary Life Membership Award The Honorary Life Membership Award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This year’s recipient of the Honorary Life Membership Award has served at every local level of PTA, in addition to her four years on Council and two years at the Region level. She can be seen at almost every Council event, and frequently volunteers for various committees. She has been a wonderful resource to our PTAs, willing to jump in and support new Presidents in their roles. If she doesn’t have the answer to a question, she will find an answer for people. In her first Council position, she stepped into giant shoes to fill, as the previous VP of Communications had set a high bar. This person raised the bar. She is always so thorough, well-organized and knowledgeable in her communications. In her current role as Council President, this person has brought a lot of energy to Council meetings and events. She also strives to ensure that all perspectives are heard and understood before moving on to a vote. She has challenged Northshore Council board members to look at additional ways we can serve our local PTAs, as well as gathering resources and information from not only PTA sources, but also from the district and the community. Under this person’s leadership, Northshore Council PTSA recently received the Outstanding PTA of the Year award from Washington State PTA. Three words to describe this person are energetic, knowledgeable, and motivating. This year’s recipient of Honorary Life Membership Award from Northshore Council PTSA is Rachel Fitzgerald. Congratulations! | Outstanding Advocate Award Northshore Council PTSA’s Outstanding Advocate this year is Terra Droney. The Outstanding Advocate Award honors individuals for their continued and dedicated service to ALL children demonstrating a commitment to speaking up for children in the areas relating to health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth. Terra has had a district-wide reach in their advocacy this year. She was a founding member of the NSEC PTSA, serving as Co-President in its inaugural year. She also does a lot of work with the Nourishing Networks organization to build connections with NSD to combat food insecurity, as well as advocated in the community for affordable housing and other supports to those in need. In her role as Co-VP of Advocacy for Council, this person further supported our community by helping to organize the Candidate Forum and Focus Day. Three words to describe this person are committed, involved, and compassionate. Congratulations, Terra! ,Outstanding Service Award The Outstanding Service Award is the highest volunteer award given by the Washington State PTA. It is awarded to someone who has gone beyond his or her own school community, job, or PTA in order to give dedicated volunteer service to children. This year’s recipient of the Outstanding Service Award has been very involved in PTA and Booster groups at their children’s school and has served on NSD task forces for Student Safety and Wellness as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, but what she is most known for is her desire to help students and families with disabilities. After spending a couple years as the Special Ed Representative/Liaison on Council, this person saw a bigger way that she could help students with disabilities and their families. She was the driving force of getting the NSEC PTSA chartered and has spent a lot of time to make sure that this new PTSA is set up for success both as a PTSA and as a resource to help families and students who need it. She has established a connection with district administration (especially with those who oversee Special Education services), and has set up monthly meetings (starting over 2 years ago) with the current administrator in charge of Special Education to better understand district plans for serving Special Education students, and to act as a communication bridge between the district and families concerning policies and procedures, etc. While this person may seem soft spoken, she is an outstanding advocate who has given countless hours to help make a better Northshore community for our students. Three words to describe this person are dedicated, determined and effective. Northshore Council PTSA’s 2024 Outstanding Service Award recipient is Laura Staneff. Congratulations! |
Learn more about PTA Recogntion Awards and how your PTA can recognize those who go above and beyond in your school community.
Awards of Excellence
Awards work to celebrate the efforts of local PTAs and Councils in a variety of different areas. The criteria reflect a strong knowledge and application of best practices and the submission process can be rigorous. These awards are truly reflective of the dedication and strength of these PTAs and the powerful contributions they make to their communities.
Congratulations to all!
Outstanding Communication Strategy
Recognizing the effective use of multiple communication channels to reach members and community.
Outstanding Website Recognizing the effective use of websites as a communication tool.
|
Standards of Excellence
Recognizing the effective use of WSPTA best practices as a guide for local PTAs and Councils to be child-focused, responsible to members, knowledgeable, fiscally responsible, involved, and well-trained.
Recognizing the effective use of newsletters as a communication tool.
|
Membership Growth Awards
WSPTA Membership Awards in 2023-2024!!
Gold Level recognizes local PTAs that have enrolled the same number of staff as the number of certificated staff in their school building. This year WSPTA had 33 local PTAs that earned this award.
- Innovation Lab High School PTSA
To highlight the importance of membership growth, Washington State PTA recognizes local PTAs for enrolling more members than they did in the previous year. As PTAs achieve incremental increases in membership growth, they are recognized for each milestone they reach.
- Bronze Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling at least one more member than their previous year’s total membership.
- Silver Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 105% of their previous year’s total membership.
- Gold Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 110% of their previous year’s total membership.
- Platinum Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 120% of their previous year’s total membership.
𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁
𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗣𝗧𝗦𝗔 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯-𝟮𝟰 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗧𝗔!
- Platinum Award for Standards of Excellence
- Gold Award for Outstanding Communication Strategies
- Gold Award for Outstanding Website
- Silver Award for Outstanding Newsletter
We would love to shine the spotlight on your 2023-2024 PTA award winners! | Does your PTA give out a Golden Acorn award? Maybe an Outstanding Educator, or an Outstanding Advocate award? Or more? Please share with us this year's recipient(s) by completing this form. We would like to create a list of all of our local PTA award winners to share with the community. These volunteers deserve to be celebrated!!! If possible, please let us know your award winners by Friday, May 31st so they can be celebrated in our last eNews of the school year! Questions? Contact Jenn Snyder at [email protected]. |
WSPTA has a formal volunteer award recognition program allowing local PTAs to award honors for outstanding educator, advocate, student advocate, and volunteer (Golden Acorn), as well as the honorary life membership award.
Local PTAs should appoint an awards committee who will gather nominations, review them, and choose the award recipients. This can be done during a meeting or some PTAs even choose to have the previous year's award recipients chair this committee. Check your Standing Rules as it may say who is on the committee. When the awards committee advertises for nomination submissions, it can be done via social media, newsletters, website, email, or even school flyers. To make it even easier for members to submit nominations, the awards committee can create an online submission form using tools like Google Forms or Survey Monkey.
For recognizing the award recipients, your PTA can hold a volunteer recognition event or take time during a Membership Meeting to celebrate them. WSPTA offers a variety of items your PTA can order online to celebrate your award recipients including certificates, pins, plaques, and even yard signs!
- Golden Acorn – presented to volunteer(s) in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth in your community.
- Outstanding Advocate – Honors individuals for their continued and dedicated service to ALL children demonstrating a commitment to speaking up for children in the areas relating to health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth.
- Honorary Life Membership – Recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This special award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region.
- Outstanding Student Advocate Award - Recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community.
- Outstanding Educator – Individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging.
2024 Northshore Council PTSA Awards Nomination Form
Click link to complete form.
Multiple submissions can be completed for multiple nominees!
- Outstanding Educator – Honors individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging. An educator is not limited to a teacher and may be defined as a teacher, assistant, specialist, support staff, administrator, or community member.
- Outstanding Advocate – Honors individuals for their continued and dedicated service to ALL children demonstrating a commitment to speaking up for children in the areas relating to health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth.
- Outstanding Service - This is the highest volunteer award given by the Washington State PTA. It is awarded to someone who has gone beyond his or her own school community, job, or PTA in order to give dedicated volunteer service to children. Note: This award may only be given by a council. Local PTA members are encouraged to nominate deserving volunteers to the council for this recognition.
- Honorary Life Membership – Recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This special award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region.
- Outstanding Student Advocate Award - Recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community.
- Golden Acorn – A Golden Acorn Award is presented by a local PTA or council to a school or community volunteer in recognition of her or his dedication and service to children and youth.
Questions? Contact Council Awards Committee.
Friday, June 7, 2024.
If you are interested in joining the planning committee, please contact VP of Events,
Melissa Bennett [email protected].
The first meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18 at 7 PM via Zoom.
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