Outstanding School Volunteers

Exciting opportunities for Pinellas County students, parents and teachers are happening every day, thanks to the efforts of families and community members. Volunteers and community partners are making a difference by helping students develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes that are the hallmark of a quality education. In the 2023-2024 school year, there were approximately 25,000 volunteers who donated nearly 545,000 hours of volunteer service to promote student success and academic achievement in the district. We celebrate and honor our wonderful volunteers each year.

The top volunteers for 2024 were celebrated on Tuesday, February 6, at the district's annual Outstanding School Volunteer breakfast at Feather Sound Country Club. The event included musical entertainment by PCS students from the Tarpon Springs Jazz Combo as well as a few words of congratulations from Superintendent Kevin Hendrick and School Board Chair Laura Hine. Gary Regoli, president and CEO, spoke on behalf of Achieva Credit Union, the event’s title sponsor, and Erin Murray from Spectrum Bay News 9 was the emcee. The district’s volunteer program is managed by the Office of Strategic Partnerships.

The following are the District Winners for 2023-24 who went on to compete for the State Outstanding School Volunteer in their respective categories:

Youth- Tiffany Whitman, M.K. Rawlings Elementary (not pictured)
Adult- Sue Spurgeon, Shore Acres Elementary

Senior- William Schmidling, Oak Grove Middle.  Mr. Schmidling was actually named a State Finalist in the Senior Category!!

The winners from each area:

Area 1
Youth: Kahazea Collins Vickers- Tarpon Springs Elementary
Adult: Allison Laudano- Cypress Woods Elementary
Senior: Shane Shanabrook- Dunedin Highland Middle

Area 2
Youth: Madison Jayanna, Safety Harbor Middle 
Adult: David Snead, Ridgecrest Elementary
Senior: William Schmidling, Oak Grove Middle

Area 3
Youth: Delaney Fairbank, Orange Grove Elementary
Adult: Robyn Begin, Madeira Beach Elementary
Senior: Carol Powers, Bauder Elementary

Area 4
Youth: Tiffany Whitman, M.K. Rawlings Elementary
Adult: Sue Spurgeon, Shore Acres Elementary
Senior: Barbara Weaver, Skyview Elementary

Transformation Zone
Adult: Sandra Menezes, Lealman Avenue Elementary
Senior: Bonnie Zimmerman, Mount Vernon Elementary

Exceptional and Alternative Centers
Adult: Linda Reynolds, Nina Harris ESE Center
Senior: Josephine Gibson, Nina Harris ESE Center

To learn more about the PCS volunteer program and our outstanding volunteers, please take a minute and click on these short videos to see their answers to the following questions:

Why do you volunteer?

How has volunteering changed you?

How have you made an impact as a volunteer?

What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering?