Texas PTA Advocacy Impact Awards!
Since the earliest days, Texas PTA leaders and members have sought to fulfill our mission to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
As such, Texas PTA is proud to once again offer you the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the advocacy efforts of Local PTAs, Council PTAs, and Students through the prestigious Advocacy Impact Awards.
All eligible nominations will receive a digital badge or certificate and be celebrated on the Texas PTA website in honor of their significant advocacy efforts. One outstanding award winner from each category (Student, Local PTA, and Council PTA) will be recognized on stage at LAUNCH 2025, July 18-20, at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, a weekend filled with celebrations, collaboration, learning, and inspiration for PTA leaders.
Application closed April 25, 2025. Come back soon!
Advocacy Impact Award: Selection Criteria
- Local PTAs: earn a digital badge after completing activities from at least 2 of the listed categories.
- Council PTAs: earn a digital badge after completing activities from at least 3 of the listed categories.
- Students: earn a digital certificate after completing activities from at least 1 of the listed categories.
Outstanding Advocacy Impact Award
One Local PTA*, Council PTA*, and Student** submission will be selected as the Outstanding Advocacy Impact Award winner and recognized on stage at LAUNCH 2025, July 18-20 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. Listed below are some examples within each category.
*Local and Council PTAs must be in Good Standing to be considered for the Outstanding Advocacy Impact Award.
**A student must be a PTA member to be eligible for the Outstanding Advocacy Impact Award.
Looking for examples? Click here!
----------2024 Advocacy Impact Award Winners----------
Please help us congratulate the 2024 Texas PTA Outstanding Advocacy Impact Award Winners:
Locals
Lake Ridge Elementary PTA
Vineyard Ranch Elementary PTA
Councils
Denton ISD Council of PTAs
Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs
Students
Mayank Bharadwaj, Rouse High School PTA, Leander ISD
Mercedes Garza, Corpus Christie ISD
Lake Ridge Elementary PTA: This PTA didn’t just talk about civic engagement -they made it happen. Their “PTA Votes” event brought democracy to life by inviting local officials to read voting-themed books to students and answer questions about elections. With a school-wide mock election and thoughtful partnerships, they gave kids and their families a practical, memorable lesson in how voting works. In a community where access to civic information isn’t always guaranteed, they helped bridge that gap. Their advocacy extended to the Capitol, too, where they joined Texas PTA’s Rally Day for the first time. They showed up as one of the most diverse delegations, sparked statewide conversations, and walked away with new allies, including Senator Royce West, who joined every PTA in their district. This is advocacy that educates, connects, and makes an impact.
Vineyard Ranch Elementary PTA: Vineyard Ranch PTA leaders could not be here today, but I want you to know, they didn’t just dip their toe into advocacy this year -they jumped in with both feet. For the first time, they formed a full Advocacy Committee made up of 16 parents, educators, and community members. Together, they launched a monthly newsletter, promoted Under the Dome, and kept their families in the loop about what was happening at the state and local levels. They organized a school-wide mock election and gave students a voice through letters and position statements, some even joined them in Austin for Rally Day. Their social media campaigns helped explain how things like attendance tie directly to funding, and they made it a point to monitor school board decisions throughout the year. This is what it looks like when a PTA sees a gap, steps up, and brings others along with them.
Denton ISD Council of PTAs: The Denton ISD Council of PTAs continues to be a steady, energizing force for their community. They’ve made advocacy accessible, timely, and personal. From sharing voting deadlines and rallying voter turnout to organizing a powerful Rally Day visit, complete with heartfelt letters from students, they created space for every voice to matter. Their legislative briefing helped families understand what’s at stake. And their candidate forum is just one more way they made advocacy real and relevant. At a time when so many felt tired, this council lifted others up and led the way with heart and purpose.
Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs: When advocacy is done right, it looks a lot like Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs. They’ve built a culture of staying informed, staying involved, and staying connected. From organizing packed candidate forums to helping local leaders invite legislators into schools, this council is everywhere that matters. They’ve worked alongside their district to ensure parents have clear, accurate information, even during tough budget seasons and special sessions. With more than 50 members attending Rally Day, Spring Branch showed up together, strong, and smart. We’re so proud to celebrate their collaborative, consistent, and community-rooted approach to advocacy. Please help me congratulate the Spring Branch Council.
Mayank Bharadwaj: Mayank brings both experience and heart to his advocacy. He’s already impacted legislation in California, and here in Texas, he’s made a name for himself as a thoughtful, effective voice for students. Last fall, he served as a student moderator during the Leander ISD School Board Candidate Forum. He’s spoken at board meetings, served on the Student Caucus at Texas PTA Rally Day, and used every opportunity to lift up the issues that matter to his peers. Mayank says his younger brother inspires his commitment to public education, and it shows. His calm presence, sharp thinking, and genuine care for students have made him an outstanding advocate for Leander ISD and beyond.
Mercedes Garza: Mercedes saw a need and took action. As a Student Representative, she launched a quick survey to hear directly from her peers and then turned their feedback into the Drive Safe Project. She partnered with Teens in the Driver Seat, led engaging activities like the Memory Challenge and Distraction Shape Game, and handed out prizes to keep things fun. Her team even brought in Driscoll Children’s Hospital with safety goggles, a driving simulator, and a tricycle challenge. Mercedes didn’t just talk about safe driving; she made it real for her classmates. Her leadership, creativity, and commitment made the Lunch & Learn a success and helped her entire campus think differently about what it means to be safe behind the wheel.
Congratulations and Thank You to all of the Locals, Councils, and Students who received the Advocacy Impact Award digital badge/certificate for their advocacy efforts.
Local PTA Digital Badge Recipients: Aldridge Elementary PTA, Alex Sanger Preparatory PTA, Arthur Kramer Elementary PTA, Bell Elementary PTA, Blanco Vista Elementary PTA, Brenda Norwood Elementary PTA, Bunker Hill Elementary PTA, Carl Herfurth Elementary PTA, Cibolo Green Elementary PTA, Corey Academy PTA, Creekside Elementary PTA, Cypress Springs Elementary PTA, Dorothy Martinez Elementary PTA, Durham Elementary PTA, Ethridge Elementary PTA, Falcon Pass Elementary PTA, Ferguson PTA, Grandview Hills Elementary PTA, Henry Bauerschlag Elementary PTA, Huffman Elementary PTA, Indian Creek Elementary PTA, Jayne Miller Elementary PTA, Keiko Davidson Elementary PTA, LBJ PTA, Mary Evans Elementary PTA, Mooneyham PTA, Northwood Elementary PTA, Paloma Creek Elementary PTA, Patti Lautenschlager PTA, Ralph Pfluger Elementary PTA, Redland Oaks PTA, Roosevelt Alexander Elementary PTA, Rooster Spring Elementary PTA, Rooster Springs Elementary PTA, Rosemeade Elementary PTA, Sandbrock Ranch Elementary PTA, Sandra Mossman Elementary PTA, Sunfield Elementary PTA, Timber Creek Elementary PTA, Timberwood Park Elementary PTA, Tom Hicks Elementary PTA, Union Park Elementary PTA, Viridian PTA, Willie Brown Academy of Young Scholars PTA, Bear Creek Intermediate PTA, Cheek Middle PTA, Cornerstone Academy PTA, Deerpark Middle PTA, Gunn JH PTA, Harpool Middle PTA, Heritage Middle PTA, Kealing Middle PTA, Lamar Middle PTA, Murchison Middle PTA, Smithfield Middle PTSA, Sycamore Springs Middle PTA, TC McCormick Jr Middle PTA, Walsh Middle PTA, Westbrook Intermediate PTA, Allen High & Lowery Freshman Center PTSA, Canyon High PTSA, Cedar Hill High PTSA, Clear Lake High PTA, Colleyville Heritage High PTA, Denton High PTSA, East Central High PTSA, Early College HS PTSA, Independence High PTSA, JHS PTA, Keller High PTSA, Lebanon Trail High PTSA, Marcus High PTSA, Moody High PTSA, Trinity High PTA, William J Brennan High PTSA, and Wylie High PTSA.
Council PTA Digital Badge Recipients: Allen ISD Council of PTAs, Arlington ISD Council of PTAs, Birdville ISD Council of PTAs, Comal ISD Council of PTAs, Dripping Springs ISD Council of PTAs, Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs, Frisco ISD Council of PTAs, Garland ISD Council of PTAs, Grapevine-Colleyville Council of PTAs, Hays CISD Council of PTAs, Heast Euless Bedford ISD Council of PTAs, Katy ISD Council of PTAs, Keller ISD Council of PTAs, Leander ISD Council of PTAs, Lewisville ISD Council of PTAs, McKinney Council of PTAs, Midland Council of PTAs, North East ISD Council of PTAs, Northside Council of PTAs, Northwest ISD Council of PTAs, Pearland ISD Council of PTAs, Plano ISD Council of PTAs, Port Arthur City Council of PTAs, Round Rock ISD Council of PTAs, Weatherford ISD Council of PTAs, and Wylie ISD Council of PTAs.
Student Certificate Recipients: Adrianna Frezza, Cedar Park High PTSA, Leander ISD, Alarik Houk, Heritage Middle PTA, East Central ISD, Armineh Love, Blanco Vista PTA, Hays CISD, Avery Rangel, Blanco Versus PTA, Hays CISD, Belle Rhodes, Blanco Vista PTA, Hays CISD, Cayden Wallace, Wilkinson PTA, Frisco ISD, Jenyka Houk, East Central High PTSA, East Central ISD, Kinsley Cordova, Sunfield PTA, Hays CISD, Luke Lamb, Harold Kaffie Middle PTA, Corpus Christi ISD, Maleigha Watts, Wilkinson PTA, Frisco ISD, Michael Olivares, EM Pease Middle PTA, NISD, Sophia Cordova, Sunfield PTA, Hays CISD, and Sydney Sanders, Wylie High PTSA, Wylie ISD.