By: Betty Gibbins, WSPTA Leadership Service Award Committee Chair
The Leadership Service Award celebrates PTA leaders who strengthen family engagement, support their local communities, and advance the mission of Washington State PTA. The program is structured across four levels, each reflecting a different sphere of leadership within PTA.
- Bronze recognizes local PTA leaders who build community at the school level and support volunteers through hands-on service.
- Silver honors council and region leaders who mentor multiple PTAs, provide training, and strengthen collaboration across schools.
- Gold highlights state level leaders who contribute to statewide programs, advocacy, and leadership development.
- Crystal, the highest level, is reserved for leaders whose sustained service creates lasting, statewide impact through innovation, systems change, or significant contributions to WSPTA initiatives.
Applications for the 2026 Leadership Service Award are now open. Eligibility details, award criteria, and application instructions are available on the WSPTA Leadership Service Award program page.
Resources are also available to support applications, including Tips and Tricks to help you prepare a strong application and a FAQ that addresses the most common questions and challenges applicants encounter.
Questions? Email LeadershipServiceAward@wastatepta.org
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This article spotlights several of our 2025 Leadership Service Award recipients and highlights how they mentor volunteers, build connections, advocate for student needs, and create meaningful change. Their stories show why this recognition matters and how each leader strengthens PTA across Washington.
The Bronze Award honors local PTA leaders who have made a meaningful impact within their school community.
These leaders:
- Support and mentor volunteers at the local unit level
- Strengthen programs that directly benefit students and families
- Demonstrate consistent service, collaboration, and leadership growth
Meet Colleen McCloskey, Lake Washington PTA Council and WSPTA State Volunteer – 2025 Bronze Award Recipient
Why be recognized or apply for the Leadership Service Award?
I always say that I want our volunteers to be recognized for the incredible amount of work they do—often with very little credit given. As a leader, I need to lead by example. I apply for the LSA to validate the hours and energy we all invest in our schools. By logging my time and submitting the application (even in years when I didn’t think I’d qualify for a specific award!), I hope to show other leaders that their time is valuable, ‘countable,’ and worth recognizing.
Why does PTA leadership matter to you and your community?
It matters because schools can’t do it alone. PTA leaders are the ones working late at night and behind the scenes to ensure that every child—not just our own—has access to a well-rounded school experience. Whether I am working on a yearbook or advocating at the Council level, I do this work to bridge the gap between families and administration. It’s about building a community where every student feels seen and supported.
The Silver Award recognizes region or council PTA leaders who support multiple PTAs and help build strong, connected communities.
These leaders:
- Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to local units
- Strengthen communication and collaboration across schools
- Model leadership that elevates the work of PTAs throughout their region or council
Meet Ana Siler, WSPTA Region 3 Director – 2025 Silver Award Recipient
Why be recognized or apply for the Leadership Service Award?
I don’t usually seek recognition. What matters most to me is seeing kids happy and engaged at PTA events—that’s how I know the work is worth it. Still, I’ve learned that recognizing volunteers matters. When people feel appreciated and valued, they’re more willing to step up, stay involved, and encourage others to do the same. Sharing our work is about building a strong, supported PTA for our kids and our communities by highlighting the impact volunteers have on our mission to be a powerful voice for all children.
Why does PTA leadership matter to you and your community?
PTA leadership matters to me because it brings people together and gives our community a stronger voice. When families, educators, and volunteers work side by side, we can better support our schools and advocate for what our kids need. As a parent, leadership helps me stay informed, be involved, and turn shared concerns into real, positive support for our children and families, plus it’s fun.
The Gold Award honors state level PTA leaders who contribute significantly to statewide programs, advocacy, and leadership development.
These leaders:
- Support and guide councils and regions across Washington
- Lead statewide initiatives, trainings, or committees
- Demonstrate exceptional service that advances the mission of WSPTA
Meet Jane Chiodo, WSPTA Secretary – 2025 Gold Award Recipient
Why be recognized or apply for the Leadership Service Award?
Every year I sat in the audience at Convention and watched others get recognized for their PTA work. PTA work that I was doing year in and year out. Every year, I told myself, “Self! This is the year you will apply!” and I always, always put it off.
As I made the decision to put my name forward for consideration for the WSPTA board of directors, I thought about all of the amazing PTA leaders and mentors and how they demonstrated their leadership through their actions and deeds. I felt that in order to even consider joining that cohort of leaders, I needed to step up and “show my work.” I applied for the Leadership Service Award. In the process of applying, I was able to stroll down PTA lane and think deeply about my service over the years. It helped to solidify my why and commit to the idea of WSPTA leadership and serving PTAs throughout the state.
Why does PTA leadership matter to you and your community?
What started as an effort to advocate for my elementary PTA to have snacks and sweets for those with food restrictions and allergies led to a greater understanding that by joining your voice to others, you can accomplish amazing things for all kids. PTA leadership has given me the opportunity to have a voice in decisions that affect many, an avenue to connect with others, to learn SO MANY new skills, to gain new perspectives, and to be challenged. I have seen firsthand the impact that a strong PTA with committed leaders can have on a community. PTA leaders show others the importance of empathy, giving of oneself, and taking action. Through PTA leaders, a PTA can rally a community to be its best self.
The Crystal Award is the highest level of the Leadership Service Award. It is presented to PTA leaders whose work creates lasting change and statewide impact.
These leaders:
- Influence systems, policies, or programs that benefit families across Washington
- Demonstrate sustained leadership, innovation, and service
- Participate in statewide initiatives that strengthen PTA at every level
Meet Chhunla McKeever, Puyallup PTA Council, Region 5 Service Committee – 2025 Crystal Award Recipient
Why be recognized or apply for the Leadership Service Award
I think it’s a great idea that WSPTA offers a Leadership Service Award for PTA Leaders to apply for because it gives PTA Leaders the opportunity to track and showcase their skills and experiences through a variety of PTA events, trainings, networking, and conferences at various levels of PTA participation: local PTA at schools, PTA Councils, Region Teams, and even with WSPTA committees. It’s worth the application time, because then you’ll have an official documentation along with cool pins and a Crystal trophy. Plus, inserting the Leadership Service Award recognition to your job resume adds that extra sparkle for future job employment!
Why does PTA leadership matter to you and your community?
This year 2025-26 is my 15th year as a parent volunteer in the Puyallup School District with two children, class of 2023 and class of 2026. I knew I wanted to be an involved parent with my children’s education and school experiences and starting PTA at my kids’ elementary school seem to be the perfect outlet. PTA Leadership matters to me and I have been involved as long as I have because of the support from my two kids and my husband, and I have gained many