The Townwide PTO is pleased to announce that the 2026 recipient of the “Deirdre Volunteer Service Award" is:
Katrina Rice
The Deirdre Volunteer Service Award was founded in the loving memory of a devoted Abington Public Schools parent volunteer. Deirdre devoted many hours to Abington and its school community to champion inclusion, expand programming, and improve childhood education. She was a constant presence at PTO and School Committee meetings, where she advocated passionately for full-day kindergarten and many other programs and activities that benefited Abington students. Her legacy will live on through the establishment of this volunteer service award.
The Deirdre Volunteer Service Award will be presented to a caregiver annually for their voluntary participation in service activities that help improve both the Abington Public Schools and its community in ways that emulate Deirdre's dedication. Examples of this type of dedication include:
event creation or organization
fundraising (creation, execution, organization)
advocating for educational initiatives, school funding, or programming
executing activities beyond the intended expectation
The Townwide PTO also wishes to congratulate all of this year's nominees for the award:
C6Bill
Christopher Coyle
Corissa Morales
Courtney McCleary
Erin Miner Valitsky
Erin Trabucco
Heidi Hernandez
Joanne Pease
Katie Williamson
Kristi Erickson
Marc Sulmonte
Melanie Whitney
Melissa Cook
Rachel Abell
Samantha Bonatti
Susan Matthews
Traci Maslanka
Thank you to all community members who submitted nominations!