Texas PTA 100th anniversary (continued)

School trustees on November 3 recognized PTA officers and past presidents. Introducing the PTA centennial recognition and members was Karla Oliver (left), executive director for government and community relations. PTA officers and past presidents included (l-r) Terrye Reeves, youth protection chair; Graciela Katzer, diversity chair; Kelly Waterman, second vp for programs; Dana Bilbray, first vp aide; Teri Kachur, SAGE chair; Gretchen Abner, legislative chair; Joa Muns, centennial chair; Cara Mendelsohn, president; and former Plano PTA Council Presidents Becky Brown, Mary Beth King, Ginny Skelly, Betty Wright, Robin Tatman and Karen Schultz.

Plano ISD Council of PTAs President Cara Mendelsohn joined fellow Council officers and past-presidents at the November 3 school board meeting for recognition and the reading of a PTA resolution by Board Vice-president Brad Shanklin.

Karla Oliver, executive director for government and community relations, explained to trustees and guests that PTA's historical scrapbook is a "special treasure overflowing with notes, letters and memorabilia that focuses on a period of the district from 1951 through 1958. In addition, there is a separate PTA program from 1932-33 that lists board members with familiar last names such as Mathews, Harrington, Haggard, Haynes and Schell."

Plano ISD Council of PTAs President Cara Mendelsohn (in pink) is pictured with past Council presidents (l-r) Becky Brown, Karen Schultz, Betty Wright, Robin Tatman and Ginny Skully.

This Centennial year has been remarkable for the Texas PTA. It began with a large crowd of supporters at the Texas PTA Day at the Capitol last February. The official 100th birthday event, also attended by a vast number of supporters, was celebrated on October 19, 2009, at Hillsboro Elementary School in Hillsboro, Texas, the actual birthplace of Texas PTA.

Plano ISD Council of PTAs Officers (l-r) Dana Bilbray; May Li, community outreach; Joa Muns, centennial chair; Gretchen Abner, legislative chair; Cara Mendelsohn, president; Terrye Reeves, youth protection chair; Graciela Katzer, diversity chair; and Teri Kachur, SAGE chair.

The Plano organization, with more than 36,000 members in 68 PTAs, was named the "Outstanding PTA Council" in Texas in 2008 and 2009 and received the Texas PTA Chairman Award for Legislative Action in 2009. Ms. Oliver remarked, "We are also proud that Plano's Sharon Goldblatt is serving at the state level as the first vice-president to the current Texas PTA Board of Directors."

Ms. Oliver continued, "As we celebrate tonight, I want to commemorate the Plano ISD Council of PTAs, which is celebrating its 21st birthday. Although PTAs have been part of the district for many years, we are honored to mark this special observance of the PTA Council."

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