Recognizing Excellence

Mill Creek Elementary has so many dedicated teachers, staff and volunteers. THANK YOU! Recognizing those who go above and beyond happens every spring with our PTA Awards. We encourage everyone to submit nominations for someone that they feel exemplifies the characteristics for an award. Our awards committee reviews all submissions.

Congratulations 2024-25 Award Recipients!

Golden Acorns (Outstanding Volunteers): Cassi McDougall, Kushbu Kumbhar, and Tara Kyle

Outstanding Educators: Nicole Cefalu, Sarah Morris, and Stephen Harvey

About 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. Please contact the awards committee with questions or nominations.

Golden Acorn Award

The Golden Acorn Award is one of the most prestigious Washington state PTA awards. It’s given by a local PTA a school or community volunteer in recognition of their 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 that benefits students. Recognition happens annually, and the community chooses the recipient through an online survey and voting.

Outstanding Educator Award

The Outstanding Educator Award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions in their community to enhance the educational outcomes of all children or youth. An educator is not limited to a teacher and 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 that benefits students.

Outstanding Advocate Award

The Outstanding Advocate Award was established in 2004 to recognize an individual for their efforts to advocate for our students. Strong advocacy take many forms: from helping to advance key legislation related to the health, welfare, safety and education of children and youth to serving as a voice for students and their families within the schools. Recipients receive a certificate and pin, and a contribution is made in their name to the Washington State PTA Scholarship Program that benefits students.