The Mercer Island PTA Council has announced several of its year-end awards.

Mercer Island School District Superintendent Gary Plano was given the Council’s Outstanding Service award for his work with the PTA this year.

Nannette Bassett was also given an outstanding service award, Dave Segadelli earned an outstanding educator award, and Anne Emanuels earned a Golden Acorn award. The Outstanding Program of the Year was given to the Bridge the Gap program which raised money for the district through the Mercer Island Schools Foundation. Aleta Finnila earned the outstanding advocate award, while Art Munoz, with the Mercer Island Police Department, earned the outstanding child advocate award. Leslie Ferrell was given the honorary life membership award.

Mercer Island High School’s awards for the Golden Acorn were given to: Beth Picardo, Darby Young and Jill Seidel. Teresa Hamp was given the outstanding volunteer award, while Leanne Reel was recognized as the super volunteer. Deborah Kraft won the outstanding educator award at MIHS, and John Harrison was recognized for going “above and beyond.” The Community Partnership Award was given to the Communities That Care Committee, Cindy Goodwin and Derek Franklin.

At Lakeridge Elementary, the PTA’s Golden Acorn award was given to Donna Platou and Ivy Suzuki-Jaecks. Special recognition awards were given to the science enrichment organizers, Suzuki-Jaecks, Dawn Jorgenson, Claudia Allard, Leslie Moore and Elizabeth Cross Nichol.

This story includes only the school volunteer/service awards received by the Reporter to date. The Reporter will print awards from other schools and organizations in future issues. Please send award notices to rmar@mi-reporter.com.