PTA Awards
The WSPTA offers multiple opportunities for local PTAs or councils to recognize the efforts of volunteers in their community. These awards give recognition for service and involvement furthering the efforts and effectiveness of PTA. WSPTA encourages a local PTA or council to award any of the recognition options listed below to a PTA member. Each February, our PTA notifies our membership when award nominations are due, typically the end of March. Awards are presented at our general membership meeting each April.
Do you have someone you would like to nominate? Please email awards@heatherwoodpta.org. For a list of previous award recipients please click HERE.
Congratulations to our 2023/2024 award recipients!
Individual Awards Given at Local PTA and Council Levels
Golden Acorn Award
A Golden Acorn award is presented by a PTA local unit or council to a school or community volunteer in recognition of his or her dedication and service to children and youth. Since the beginning of this program in the 1930s, more than 54,000 Golden Acorn awards have been presented to volunteers throughout Washington State. Recipients receive a certificate and pin, and a contribution is made in their name to the Washington State PTA Scholarship program.
Outstanding Student Advocate
In 2011, Washington State PTA created the Outstanding Student Advocate Award to recognize student PTA members who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community. The Outstanding Student Advocate Award may be presented by local PTAs, councils and regions.
Advocacy Awards
Outstanding Advocate
The WSPTA Outstanding Advocate Award was established in 2004 to recognize an individual for his or her statewide advocacy and commitment in helping to create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety and education of children and youth. The individual should have furthered WSPTA’s policy positions (legislative principles, resolutions, and legislative issues) by activities such as, but not limited to, submitting policy positions, testifying on policy positions on behalf of WSPTA, or representing WSPTA on workgroups or coalitions.
Outstanding Educator Award
The new millennium began a new tradition for Washington State PTA. A unique award was created to recognize individuals who make significant contributions that enhance the education of children. The Outstanding Educator award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding educational contributions. An educator may be defined as a teacher, assistant, specialist, support staff, administrator or community member. Recipients receive a certificate and pin, and a contribution is made in their name to the Washington State PTA Scholarship program.
Service Awards
Outstanding Service
The WSPTA Outstanding Service Award was added in 1962, building on the success of the Golden Acorn Award program. This award recognizes statewide service to children. It is awarded to an individual who has given dedicated and long-term volunteer service that positively impacts every child throughout Washington state while demonstrating the WSPTA core values.
This award may not be given by a local PTA, but a local PTA can recommend a candidate to its council or to the WSPTA board of directors.
Honorary Life Membership
The WSPTA Honorary Life Membership Award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to the development, growth, and sustainability of WSPTA at the state level. It is awarded to someone who has shown extraordinary commitment to WSPTA’s vision and mission.
This award may also be given by a local PTA or council to honor an individual who has made significant contributions to the development and growth of the local PTA or council.