With 80,000 members statewide, PTA volunteers are the superstar volunteer heroes who tirelessly champion all children, helping make every child’s potential a reality by empowering and engaging families and communities.

Utah PTA is the nation’s largest child advocacy group, with 80% of Utah schools participating, which far exceeds the national average of 20% to 30%. Utah PTA members contributed an astonishing $17,237,060 in volunteer service hours in 2025.

This commitment to advocacy and service is evident in Utah PTA’s impact statewide. The Utah PTA’s dedication to supporting public-school children played a significant role in Utah achieving the highest national ranking for community life by the 2025 Social Capital Index (Utah Foundation). The index comprises eight measures, each evaluated on a scale from 1 to 50. Utah ranked first nationwide in charitable donations, volunteerism and neighborhood participation.

Reflecting this statewide spirit of dedication, in March, the Region 5 Cottonwood Council PTA, which serves Granite School District schools, held an awards ceremony at Cottonwood High School to celebrate the commitment of volunteers, school staff and educators who strive to create excellence for every child.

Participants included Granite School District principals from all six schools in the network. In addition, mayor and councilmember representatives from Millcreek, South Salt Lake, Murray and Holladay were present.

Keynote speaker Robyn Ivins shared her 23-year journey as a PTA volunteer beginning from serving on the PTA board at Woodstock Elementary to being a contributing founder and longtime volunteer at the Cottonwood High School food pantry which serves over 100 students each time it opens.  

“We opened the food pantry in January 2017,” Ivins said. “We've served thousands of students and their families since then. We offer school supplies, hygiene products and food. Parents are also invited, and often kids come with a list from their moms to do the shopping. It's a magical place. The Cottonwood Food Pantry and Teen Center came about because regular people in the community cared that kids have access to a place to shower if they don’t have access to a shower, a place to do laundry, and a place to do homework. Kids in need also have access to mental health resources. Connection to community and school helps kids succeed. An amazing group of people worked hard to secure $750,000 for this facility.”

The evening concluded with remarks from Cottonwood High School Principal Justin Pitcher, who emphasized the significance of the Spirit of Inclusivity Award as one of the PTA’s highest honors. This award recognizes individuals who welcome families, advocate for every child, and collaborate with the school community to support student success. Pitcher explained, “Being a member of the PTA means you are an advocate for academic literacy and support; you care about students’ sense of belonging in their schools, and ultimately you care about ensuring that kids know someone cares about them.” 

This year, the PTA honored Lupe Herrera with the Spirit of Inclusivity Award for helping the Moss PTA represent the diverse voices of the Moss Elementary community. Her ongoing commitment ensures families feel respected, seen and supported at Moss.

Infobox:

The Cottonwood Council PTA award recipients for 2026:

Millcreek

Moss Elementary

Lupe Herrera – Spirit of Inclusivity

South Salt Lake

Woodrow Wilson Elementary

Andrea Arcos – Outstanding Volunteer

Anne Marie Pace – Development

Holladay

Oakwood Elementary

Jenette Stewart – Development

Debra Larsen – Outstanding Support Staff

Lu Yan – Outstanding Elementary Educator

Megan Carter – Spirit of PTA

Mistie A’Hearn – Outstanding Volunteer

Bonneville Jr. High

Alyssa Longstaff – Outstanding Administrator

James Reese – Outstanding Secondary Educator

Lyndsie Anderson – Outstanding Volunteer

Maren Erickson – Outstanding Support Staff

Stacy Wood – Advocacy

Tiffany Woods – Development

Murray

Woodstock Elementary

Melissa McQueen – Outstanding Administrator

Antonia Salinas Ventura – Outstanding Support Staff

Brynn Richards – Outstanding Volunteer

Natalie Bradley – Spirit of PTA

Cottonwood High

Michelle Call – Engagement

Ashley Snarr – Outstanding Administrator

Andrew Strauss – Outstanding Secondary Educator

Melisa Carpenter – Outstanding Volunteer

Teisa Linscott – Spirit of PTA