The 88th Annual Founder's Day Theme "Empowering Our Community"

On March 7th our school community say THANK YOU to a few good volunteers.

The 88th Annual Founder's Day 2018 Theme "Empowering Our Community" Honorary Service Awards. Hosted by the San Marino PTA Council celebrating the outstanding volunteers that go beyond the call of duties to serve the San Marino Unified School District school community. To all the recipients we salute you, your dedication & commitment help to keep our schools stay strong & excellence in education!

The mission & goal of PTA/PTSA are to connect families, Schools/Students and communities.

California State PTA represents more than 800,000 members. As part of a century-long, nationwide, grassroots movement, we are non-profit, volunteer organization committed to the well being of all children and families. We believe every adult has a responsibility to ensure that all children develop to their full potential. Founder's Day was established in 1910 to honor the 3 founders of the PTA, Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, and Selena Sloan Butler, which was first organized in 1897. San Marino's PTA was established in the early 1930's at George S. Stoneman School and H.E. Huntington Middle School. Today I want to spotlight an amazing lady and honor to call her my friend.

The Golden Oak Service Award 2018 Recipient "Liz Kneier"

This award is given to recognize, as the most prestigious of the Honorary Service Awards, it is given to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the welfare of children and youth in a school and/or community.

Liz Kneier grew up near Oakland, went to UC Berkeley and earned her Teaching Credential from UC Santa Barbara. Liz and her husband, Dennis, share 2 daughters, Kristen and Katherine, who both live in New York.

Liz was an elementary school teacher in Santa Clara and then taught in Hawaii and Memphis up until the day before their first daughter was born. The Kneiers moved to San Marino in 1984. In keeping with her strong work ethic, Liz worked hard for her new community, starting at Valentine Elementary School where she held many officer positions, including PTA President. Liz also went above and beyond what was expected of her even as a volunteer, organizing the refurbishment of classrooms and bathrooms and founding the Pumpkin Patch and Pencil Drive fundraisers, which are still ongoing events. She was one of the key organizers of the Fall Fair, including being founder of the Frog Jumping Contest.

Liz extended herself wherever she felt she could make an impact, big or small. She continued as a trailblazer at Huntington Middle School. She served on their PTA Board in various roles and as President she organized new planting and rejuvenation of the garden areas.

At the high school she held many officer positions and was Grad Night Chair twice! Years later, Liz continues to support our PTAs, having served as an unofficial advisor to plan the All-School Rummage Sale and staying involved with PTAffiliates for many years, serving as their Membership Chair and Corresponding Secretary.

A woman who exemplifies what it means to “empower our community,” Liz has worked extensively with the Pasadena Guild of Children's Hospital as their Treasurer and served as Chair for Trivia, Signage, Debutante, Dues and their Ball. She’s also been a member and officer for San Marino Junior Alliance and he has been integral to the success of the San Marino Motor Classic, planning their After Party the last two years, and raising money for the San Marino Rotary and Pasadena Humane Society. In 2013 Liz was Coordinating Chairman of the City of San Marino’s Centennial event, which was more than a year-long effort. She was Founder of the July 4th Pavilion in Lacy Park and Organizing Chairman of the first three Pavilion events.

Her husband Dennis admires Liz’s philosophy of embracing your community – "Liz believes when you come to a new place you go out the front door and get involved because people don't always come to you. She has said that the opportunities to get involved are endless, and we have no better model for that than Liz. When people were in need, she organized meals for the families. Her involvement with Special Olympics has touched many, including a local father who said he can think of no family that has given more of their time and attention to his disabled daughter than Liz and her family.

Even amidst all she has given and all of her accomplishments, to me, the best thing Liz has done is raise two wonderful daughters"

Kristen and Katherine along with Liz and Dennis’s grandchildren, Charlie and Maya Hill send a video greeting from New York in congratulating their mom.

Liz was honored with the Honorary Service Award from Valentine School in 1990, the Continuing Service Award from San Marino PTA Council in 1997 and now the recipient of San Marino PTA Council 2018 Golden Oak Award.