Each year, the Orange County Council of PTA/PTSAs recognizes local PTAs/PTSAs that do incredible things for the community’s children; advocating for every child, one voice.
Congratulations to all the individuals and organizations recognized at the 2026 Essential Pieces Awards by the Orange County Council of PTA & PTSA. Below are the winners categorized by their respective awards:
Individual Awards
- President of the Year: Sharon Risley (Vista Lakes Elementary PTA) and Daria Hagood (Union Park Middle PTSA).
- Principal of the Year: Elizabeth Bounds (East Lake Elementary PTA) and Aski-Melik D. Brown (Union Park Middle PTSA).
- Volunteer of the Year: Danielle McClellan (Baldwin Park Elementary PTA) and Carmen Hernandez (Union Park Middle PTSA).
- Board Member of the Year: Kristen Hart (Sand Lake Elementary PTA) and Sharon Seiter (Ocoee High School PTSA).
- Male Mentor Award: Trent Petersen (Sand Lake Elementary PTA) and Tony Lloyd (Corner Lake Middle PTSA).
- S.T.A.R. Award: Julie Clemons-Hagar (Tildenville Elementary PTA) and Jessica Turner (University High School PTSA).
- Student Involvement Award: Bay Hart (Sand Lake Elementary PTA) and Mason Simmons (Corner Lake Middle PTSA).
Unit & School Awards
- PTA Unit of the Year: Laureate Park Elementary PTA.
- PTSA Unit of the Year: Piedmont Lakes Middle School PTSA.
- Advocacy Award: Sand Lake Elementary PTA and Evans High School PTSA.
- Strive Award: Sand Lake Elementary PTA and Corner Lake Middle PTSA.
- Arts in Education: East Lake Elementary PTA and Innovation Middle School PTSA.
- Family Engagement Award: Hunters Creek Elementary PTA and Blankner School PTSA.
- Outstanding Program of the Year: Sand Lake Elementary PTA and Union Park Middle PTSA.
- Helping Hand Award: Union Park Middle PTSA.
- Multimedia Award: Hunters Creek Elementary PTA and Innovation Middle School PTSA.
- Membership Growth Award: Audubon Park K-8 PTSA.
- Power in Numbers Award: Winter Park High School PTSA.
Community & Business Awards
- Business Partner of the Year:
- Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt (Dr. Phillips Elementary PTA)
- Informed Families of Florida (Union Park Middle PTSA)
- Schoolfundraising4kids (Orange County Council PTA)
Categories
Advocacy – Recognizes PTA units that have advocated for legislative or systemic changes to better the lives of children.
Outstanding Program of the Year – Honors a PTA/PTSA for an exceptional program, project, or event that helped the community without generating a profit.
Family Engagement – Given to a PTA/PTSA unit successfully created stronger relationships between families and the school community through implementing or supporting PTA Programs.
Multimedia – Acknowledges a PTA/PTSA’s outstanding use of various communication methods to inform members, students, and families.
PTA/PTSA Unit of the Year – Presented to 1 PTA and 1 PTSA unit that have shown an exceptional commitment to the welfare of children and the relationship between home and school through the purpose of PTA.
Helping Hands – Given to a PTA/PTSA that has worked with or mentored another unit to strengthen the relationship between home and school through the purpose of PTA.
Business Partner – Presented to a business or organization that has shown a strong commitment to the welfare of children and the purpose of the PTA.
President of the Year – Honors a PTA/PTSA president whose leadership went above and beyond the normal Presidential duties in support, promoting and managing programs aligned with the PTA’s purpose.
Principal of the Year – Recognizes a principal who actively supports and collaborates with the PTA/PTSA with representation in the school through meeting attendance and supporting faculty and staff membership and strives to obtain a better relationship between school, home, and community.
S.T.A.R – Honors an outstanding school administrator or staff member who has shown leadership and support for the PTA/PTSA and its programs.
Volunteer of the Year – Celebrates an exceptional PTA/PTSA member whose involvement, ideas, planning, and/or commitment to the welfare of children and is committed to the purpose of PTA. Must have participated in at least 2 programs, projects, services, etc. that promoted/supported PTA/PTSAs success.
Board member of the Year – Given to a PTA/PTSA board member who has gone above and beyond their regular duties to promote and support programs that serve the PTA’s purpose.
Male Mentor – Recognizes an extraordinary male role model who promotes and encourages other males to get involved in the PTA.
Student Involvement – Honors an outstanding middle or high school student or student group that has shown service and leadership in support of the PTA’s purpose.
STRIVE – This award honors a unit that started with just a little — but accomplished a lot. Through determination, creativity, and persistence, they turned small beginnings into meaningful achievements that made a big difference.
Arts in Education – Recognizes PTA/PTSA unit that made a difference in arts education for their students.
