LWPTSA Council was pleased to host nearly 180 guests at our annual Founders’ Day Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at Matts’ Rotisserie & Oyster Lounge in Redmond, Wash., as we honored the spirit of PTA and the legacy of our PTA founders. Our luncheon guests enjoyed inspirational words from esteemed speakers, including LWPTSA Council President Kristen Dorwin, LWSD Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen, and our keynote speaker, Eastlake High School senior and student leader Simon Field. [View our event photo gallery]
Simon (they/them) delivered a powerful and moving speech that captured the essence of this year’s PTA Reflections theme, “Accepting Imperfection.” [Read about Simon’s keynote address]
Luncheon guests were also treated to a live musical performance by student musician Grant Richter of Lake Washington High School, as well as a gallery of original art by Reflections student artists. An originally choreographed dance performance by Preema Desai of Rose Hill Middle School and an animated film by Hria Karthikeyan of International Community School were also among our featured selections. [Read about our Reflections art showcase]
The celebration culminated in our LWPTSA Council Awards presentation. This year’s pool of nominations was among the largest Council has had the honor of considering. As a result, after a great deal of careful and thoughtful deliberation, our Awards Committee was delighted to honor 11 incredibly worthy award recipients across eight categories. [View our complete list of award winners both past and present]
Council extends our warmest thanks and gratitude to all of our luncheon guests and everyone who submitted award nominations, and we congratulate all of our 2025 award winners, whom you can read about below.
Not pictured: Brooke Gialopsos (Honorary Life Membership), Heidi Nguyen (Golden Acorn) and Eric Peterson (Outstanding Educator).
Kelley Osmanbhoy — Community Service Award
For over two decades, Kelley Osmanbhoy has demonstrated her exceptional and unwavering commitment to service in our community. Her passion for helping others and her tireless dedication have made a lasting impact on those around her. Having served on Timberline and Rosa Parks PTSA boards, she has selflessly given her time and effort to help others.
In the words of those who enthusiastically nominated her, not only does Kelley truly embody the spirit of volunteerism, but she has demonstrated unparalleled leadership and vision. Under her guidance, Rosa Parks’ ArtSmart program flourished, offering countless children the opportunity to explore their creativity and develop a love for the arts. Her ability to organize, inspire, and bring together volunteers has created a welcoming environment for both the children and the community while also fostering an appreciation for the arts.
In addition, Kelley has organized and led several successful service events that have benefited local families, schools and organizations helping those who are at risk. Her dedication to the food pantry and other charitable initiatives have set a superb example to our children on how to help others and strengthen our community.
Kelley also initiated a school program called the Take Action Club where, over the course of a year, she led a group of students to write advocacy letters and complete projects to help peacefully change people’s minds, legislation and feelings towards key issues.
For all of these reasons and so many more, we are thrilled to award Kelley Osmanbhoy with this year’s Community Service Award.
Redmond West Little League Challenger Baseball — Community Outreach Award
Redmond West Little League’s Challenger Baseball program provides a unique and inclusive platform for children with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities to enjoy baseball. It fosters a sense of community, teamwork and achievement among its players, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can participate and shine.
Their impact extends beyond physical activity as they help players to build self-confidence, social skills and friendships.
For some of these players, this is the only activity that allows them to participate. Offered at no cost to families, each player receives a uniform, which helps them feel like part of the team.
Yet what makes this program unique is the incredible volunteers. Comprising mainly of middle and high school LWSD students, these buddy volunteers help with baseball skills and keep players safe. Perhaps most importantly, though, buddies allow the players to hang out with other children their own age and give parents the opportunity to cheer on their kids.
LWPTSA Council is proud to recognize Redmond West Little League’s Challenger Baseball program as this year’s Community Outreach Award recipient. Thank you to Julie and Robert Kaskel for honoring us with your presence at this celebration and delivering this invaluable and important experience to our community’s youth. We wish Challenger Baseball continued success.
Carol Nicholson — Outstanding Educator Award
The Outstanding Educator Award is presented to an individual who exceeds the normal expectations of their job to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging for students. We would like to present this honor to Carol Nicholson from Blackwell Elementary School.
Carol has been teaching for over 30 years and, according to parents, she lives and breathes education and advocating for all students. She is often the first person to arrive at school, the last to leave, and the teacher who is most likely to be found at school on weekends. What is more, she provides one-on-one tutoring on Saturdays, after school, and during the summer for current or future students or even alumni. Shockingly, Carol also makes sure to attend extracurricular activities in support of her students.
Carol is deeply focused on diversity and inclusivity. For instance, she has created specific targeted lessons for special education students in her classroom. She has also taught students to present the Pledge of Allegiance in ASL.
She wholeheartedly supports and encourages her students while prioritizing their well-being, safety and education. She often wears costumes and decorates her classroom in bright and exciting ways. Carol regularly creates new hands-on STEM projects and is known for her daily magic moment with the fairy house in her classroom.
Carol has created such a fun, engaging and warm environment that school volunteers literally hang out in her classroom looking for ways to help. The impact she makes reaches far beyond the ordinary boundaries of the job.
The LWPTSA Council is honored to recognize Carol Nicholson as an Outstanding Educator this year.
Eric Peterson — Outstanding Educator Award
LWPTSA Council is honored this year to present Eric Peterson from Evergreen Middle School with the Outstanding Educator Award.
Eric is a dedicated teacher at EMS, where he serves as the Director of Band and Cross-Country Coach. Additionally, he has inspired countless young students beginning their instrumental music journey through the elementary band program. His passion for music and commitment to his students is evident in his approach to teaching, which emphasizes discipline, self-expression, commitment and creativity. His ability to inspire and motivate his students has made him a beloved figure in the school community, and his efforts have significantly enriched the music program.
Eric gives 150% to his students every year. He is a positive influence and genuinely cares about all his students. Mr. Peterson is a champion of the importance of music and the arts in education. A 10th grader and former student says, “I almost gave up band in middle school, but he was the reason I stayed.” Today, that student says band is her favorite high school class, thanks largely to Mr. Peterson.
He works tirelessly in and out of school to provide opportunities for students. This past October, Mr. Peterson led Evergreen band students in the Salmon Days Parade in Issaquah. Last year, he took students on a weekend overnight trip to Portland for a jazz band festival. And the subsequent weekend, he co-hosted the district’s solo and ensemble festival for hundreds of LWSD middle schoolers.
Each year, Eric is always one of the first staff members—if not the first—to purchase PTA membership. He also obtained a commercial driver’s license in hopes of mitigating some of the transportation issues impacting student field trips and cross-country meets. This is the type of person and educator that he is.
We are so pleased to honor Eric Peterson with a 2025 Outstanding Educator Award.
Trish Lorr — Certificate of Special Service
Certificates of Special Service are given to individuals who have done an outstanding job in their position, project or area for LWPTSA Council. We are overjoyed to announce this year’s recipient is Trish Lorr.
During her two years as Council Treasurer, Trish has had a marked impact on our success as a board and as an organization. She is incredibly knowledgeable about PTA and is ready to help in any capacity—such as overseeing last year’s Council elections during a General Membership Meeting while our president was out of the country, and serving as the co-chair of this year’s Founders’ Day celebration. Trish is both reliable and diligent, and consistently provides timely and friendly responses to all.
Trish is a highly skilled, precise and detailed-oriented treasurer. Unfortunately for Trish—but fortunately for all of us—Trish dealt with the statewide switch to the Givebacks membership database. This involved many hours on Zooms, devising a new method for invoicing local PTAs for council dues, handling a huge increase in checks to deposit, and attempting to answer questions for which there were no firm answers. Our hats are off to Trish for maintaining grace and composure through this harrowing journey!
Trish has led trainings and roundtables to help local PTAs with budgeting and financial review. She helps troubleshoot the finer points of treasurer duties and gives clarity to those of us who lack her expertise. Council is thankful to the local PTAs where Trish has served—Rosa Parks, Timberline and Redmond High—for allowing us to share in the gift of her service these past two years.
On a more personal level, Trish is always calm, friendly and fun to work with. She has a remarkable laugh that lightens the room, and is a kind, genuine and thoughtful person.
These are just a few of the reasons that the LWPTSA Council is thankful for Trish Lorr and the special service she has provided.
Zahra Eslami — Outstanding Advocate Award
Zahra Eslami is constantly seeking to expand her knowledge about PTA, advocacy and leadership, not only from PTA training, but from offerings in the community and by doing her own research. As those who nominated her know, she is truly committed and fiercely passionate about helping others.
Zahra has been deeply engaged in DEI and advocacy leadership roles for two years at the Council PTA level, planning, chairing or attending multiple meetings and workshops. She also worked with other organizations on the Eastside to help create last month’s Eastside School Funding Town Hall, which saw great success.
Zahra brings fresh perspective and insight to our PTA and school systems, and helps us re-evaluate and reimagine our work in thoughtful ways. This year she established the LWPTSA Council Advocacy Skills in the Education System group in partnership with LWSD Board Member Lindsey Yocum and Kirkland City Council Member Amy Falcone to help our community learn how to navigate the system and effectively advocate for students.
Yet, her advocacy extends far beyond our PTAs and district. Zahra is a tireless champion for peace and equity in the Muslim community while also working to achieve understanding with other groups.
As noted by her fellow Council members, Zahra is always ready to help with any event and is unfailingly polite and delightful to work with. Her kind demeanor pairs with her steely resolve to make our school system a better place for all students and families. She has literally and figuratively grown our LWPTSA Council Board, served as a thoughtful mentor, and is simply a joy to be around.
LWPTSA Council considers it a privilege to recognize Zahra Eslami’s ongoing advocacy work with this award.
Heidi Nguyen – Golden Acorn Award
LWPTSA Council is honored to recognize one of this year’s Golden Acorn recipients, Heidi Nguyen, who has shown outstanding dedication and commitment to service at both Emily Dickinson and Evergreen PTSAs.
Having held multiple leadership positions over the course of her PTA tenure, including her current roles as Dickinson PTSA Treasurer and Evergreen’s theater co-chair, Heidi’s impact goes well beyond any one title. As a beacon of the Dickinson PTSA, Heidi has been involved in nearly every single element of the PTSA’s success.
Whether helping teachers, mentoring more junior PTA members, networking with other PTAs, and supporting the broader group of parents and students at the school, Heidi is the embodiment of kindness and service to others. Anytime anyone needs a helping hand, they know they can count on Heidi.
If you have a conversation with Heidi, you will undoubtedly leave feeling encouraged and better informed—but most importantly, you will hear Heidi reframe problems or opportunities around the students and what is in their best interest.
Heidi consistently cuts through any unimportant details or extraneous drama to recenter her PTA partners to best serve our students and families.
The LWPTSA Council is deeply inspired by Heidi’s unwavering dedication and service to LWSD children and is truly proud to present her with a 2025 Golden Acorn Award.
Carol Lugtu — Golden Acorn Award
We would like to honor Carol Lugtu for her outstanding dedication and commitment in service of all children in the school community. In fact, Carol received four separate nominations this year alone for the Golden Acorn Award!
During her years at Dickinson and Evergreen PTSAs and currently as VP of Communications for LWPTSA Council, Carol’s newsletters have become the gold standard. They are well written, perfectly punctuated, comprehensive, and keep everyone informed about news from all areas of PTA, partner groups and the school district.
Carol is extremely thorough and thoughtful in her execution, focusing on clarity and accessibility. She crafts informative and often witty digital communications, and makes visually engaging graphic promotions in a way that appear effortless but take significant time, heart and patience. Her work is detailed and simply phenomenal.
Quite simply, “Carol is queen of getting things done”—anything you ask seems to have been already completed, done to a higher standard than you dreamed, and any other needs you have or contingencies that might exist have already been anticipated.
What truly sets Carol apart is her unwavering support and encouragement for PTA newcomers. She is an excellent mentor; her guidance is invaluable and irreplaceable, making her a cornerstone of the team. She has served in many other Council capacities, including twice chairing the Awards Committee and supporting Reflections, scholarships and more. On the local PTA level, you may have met Carol as an ArtSmart docent, Destination Imagination coach, robotics volunteer or classroom helper.
Perhaps most importantly, though, Carol is warm, gracious, friendly and delightful to serve with. Her politeness and professionalism are second to none.
LWPTSA Council considers it a privilege to honor Carol Lugtu and her famous newsletters.
Brooke Gialopsos — Honorary Life Membership Award
LWPTSA Council is proud to present Dr. Brooke Gialopsos with an Honorary Life Membership award.
Brooke’s PTA service history at Einstein Elementary, Evergreen Middle School and LWPTSA Council is the stuff of legends. This year alone at Einstein, she is the Co-President, Yearbook Co-Chair, Scholastic Book Fair Co-Chair and E-Prep Chair. Meanwhile, she also serves as Evergreen PTSA Secretary, as well as LWPTSA Council Area VP, Awards Co-Chair, and continues to serve as our E-Prep Chair, having led or co-led the committee for many years.
Previously, Brooke has filled countless board, chair and program judge roles at Einstein and Evergreen, and twice chaired Council’s Scholarship program. She is a beloved face at Einstein, somehow having been a room parent for more teachers than her two children can account for.
Brooke is always willing to help out, volunteer, and give back to her community, helping to ensure that everyone feels supported. Those who have served alongside her note that she is humble, endlessly supportive, and passionate about enabling opportunities for all students. We are extremely fortunate to have Brooke in the LWSD supporting our students, families and schools.
Outside of PTA, Brooke is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Criminology & Forensics at Seattle University, a school safety researcher, and a trained ALICE instructor. Brooke serves on the LWSD’s Safety Advisory Committee and previously served on their temporary ALICE Taskforce and Trauma-Informed Taskforce. She provides trainings to parents on emergency preparedness and safety protocols in the district.
Despite Brooke’s protests to the contrary, Council can’t think of a worthier individual to recognize in this category. Congratulations, Brooke Gialopsos, on your Honorary Life Membership award!
Luna Egido Martin — Honorary Life Membership Award
This year LWPTSA Council would like to recognize an outstanding individual whose dedication, leadership and contributions span nearly a decade, with an Honorary Life Membership award.
Luna Egido Martin has made a profound and lasting impact on our community, and she truly exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism and community outreach.
She has taken on a wide variety of roles, each one marked by her commitment, hard work and unwavering passion.
Multiple times, including now, she has served as President or Co-President, but has also fulfilled the role of Treasurer, VP of Volunteers & Services, and VP of Communications. Luna also served as a Council Area VP in the past, as well as E-Prep Chair for Rosa Parks Elementary as well as Timberline Middle School.
She is the room parent for her kids’ classes, and volunteers regularly for STEM programs and ArtSmart curriculum. In the words of one of her fans who nominated her, if there is a need for a volunteer, Luna is the go-to person to help fulfill the role and to do it in such a way that no gaps reside.
Luna has provided vital leadership, guiding her PTAs through numerous initiatives, and ensuring financial health and transparency. Her ability to manage budgets, foster collaboration, and lead with integrity has been instrumental in the continued success and growth of many PTSA programs.
LWPTSA Council is pleased to honor Luna Egido Martin with this Honorary Life Membership Award.
Kristen Dorwin — Outstanding Service Award
The Outstanding Service Award, the highest WSPTA honor bestowed by our council, recognizes broad-based service and extraordinary, ongoing volunteer service to children, demonstrating core PTA values.
It is our pleasure to present this award to Kristen Dorwin, President of LWPTSA Council.
Kristen has been a steadfast advocate for not only the students at Juanita High School and the other local PTAs where she has served in numerous leadership roles, but for all children, as shown in her years-long service at LWPTSA Council, from Area VP to Scholarship Program Chair to Advocacy VP to President.
At Council, Kristen has spearheaded equity initiatives such as the district-wide clothing swap and a resolution to advocate for universal free school lunches for ALL Washington students. Kristen has led countless trainings, roundtables and makes time for one-on-one conversations, deepening fellow PTA leaders’ knowledge of their responsibilities and their potential in their roles.
Kristen is an exceptional and efficient PTA leader. Her deep understanding of PTA’s purpose, innate sense of fairness, and ability to inspire and unite people toward a shared goal are truly remarkable. She fosters a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued, ensuring that any differences are set aside to focus on meaningful progress.
Kristen is not only incredibly warm, kind and nonjudgmental, but also witty and engaging. In addition to being an outstanding leader, Kristen is also an inspirational public speaker. Her energy, sense of humor and personality are infectious, and her support, guidance and patience are unwavering.
LWPTSA Council is deeply honored to award this year’s Outstanding Service Award to Kristen Dorwin.