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Gunston Parents Association

Parent Volunteer Opportunities:

We have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the school year, at school and at home. Please let us know if you would be willing to assist in any of the areas listed on the Parent Volunteer Interest form.

Here are just a few ways that the GPA supports the school:

Summer/Fall

  • Boat Captains for Embarkation and Disembarkation
  • New Parent Orientation
  • Annual GPA Tailgate/Picnic
  • Admissions Ambassadors (welcoming new families)
  • Teacher Appreciation Event (Fall)
  • Event Support for fundraising events Bull & Oyster Roast and the Heron Hustle 5K (Day-of volunteering with set-up, break down, check-in, etc., soliciting for sponsorships, securing auction items and more!)

Winter/Spring

  • Teacher Appreciation Event (Spring)
  • Event Support for Golfing Fore Gunston
  • Career Talks with Students

Year-Round

  • Support for student events such as Homecoming, Spring Formal, and other dances
  • Heron Fund Parent Ambassadors (Fundraising)
  • Administrative assistance (helping at the front desk, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, creating
  • decorations, writing thank you notes, etc.)
  • Event support for smaller events such as Open Mic Nights, Night of the Arts, the annual Gunston Players’ Theatre production, In Celebration of Books, and more.
  • Class coverage and substitute teaching
  • Athletics (organizing tailgates and snacks, transportation, assisting with coaching and record keeping)
  • Professional services including photography, videography and most recently, auctioneer services!

GPA Meeting Dates for 2026-2027

Meetings will be held via Zoom and begin at 12:00pm. Zoom links will be sent a few days before the meeting.

September 10, 2026

  • GPA Tailgate September 18th - Bring a dish/Parent Tailgate Help. 
  • Bull Roast - Volunteer teams: Donations, Event Preparation
  • Bull Roast volunteer opportunities, auction items for the Bull Roast, Ticket and Sponsorship sales. 
  • Bull Roast Volunteer Meeting to follow

October 8, 2026

  • Bull Roast: Donations, Auction items
  • Fall Sports wrap up
  • Heron Fund Kick Off
  • Bull Roast Volunteer Meeting to follow

November 12, 2026

  • Bull Roast: wrap-up, acknowledgments, event feedback
  • Junior Wreath Sales
  • Mini Appreciation week - donation list

December: No Meeting

  • Wreath Distribution, 
  • Teacher/Staff Mini Appreciation week

January 14, 2027

  • Head's Holiday
  • My Gunston Valentine online Heron Fund Fundraiser

February 11, 2027

  • My Gunston Valentine online Heron Fund Fundraiser
  • Winter Sports wrap up
  • Grand Mondays

March No Meeting

  • Grand Mondays
  • Prep for Heron Pickleball Tournament

April 8, 2027

  • Sign-up list for end-of-year events
  • Heron Pickleball Tournament
  • Golfing fore Gunston - donations, sponsorships, participation
  • Planning for Teacher Appreciation Week!
  • Appreciation week: food donations, volunteer teams
  • New GPA Positions for 26-27

May 13, 2027

  • Teacher Appreciation Week!
  • Spring Formal, Senior Celebrations, Sports wrap up
  • Disembarkation, Graduation

May/June 2027

End of the year Thank you Luncheon for GPA!
 

GPA Luncheon 2026

Pictured front (l-r): GPA Coordinator Trish Rudolfs, P’18,’20, incoming GPA President Alaina McDermott, P’28, current GPA President Ildi Watkins, P’26’28, Sharon Hilder, P’28, and Barb Perez, P’29. Back row (l-r): Lucinda Dalzel, P’28, Stefanie Zottarelli, P’25,’27, Head of School John Lewis, P’29, Kara Morris, P’27, Samantha Parker, P’29, Sarah Philippon, P’25’27, Kath Murphy, P’29, and Christine Joyce, P’26’29.

Visit the "Resources" Tab in TGS Net to find contact information for GPA members.

GPA Coordinator:
Trish Rudolfs, P’18,’20

2026 - 2027 
GPA OFFICERS

President
Alaina McDermott, P’28

Vice President:
Samantha Parker, P’29

Secretary: 
Stella Dreeke, P'28

Athletics Liaisons:
Stef Zottarelli, P’25’27
Michelle Zagami, P’29
Becky Houseknecht, P’24’27’29

Waterfront Liaison, Crew: 
Kara Morris, P’27
Kathleen Eder, P’28 

Waterfront Liaison, Sailing:
Lucie Dalzell, P'28

Room Parents

12th GRADE:
Rebecca Hanlon, P’22’25’27
Sarah Philippon, P’25’27
Leigh Wood, P’24’27

11th GRADE:
Stella Dreeke, P’28
Natalie Doffermyre, P’28
Pam DeGour, P’28’29

10th GRADE:
Christine Joyce, P’26’29
Barb Perez P’29
Sarah Volker P’29

9th GRADE:
Shawna Payne, P’30
Marie McNurlan, P’30
Shelly Ross, P’30
Emily Thomas, P’30
Elizabeth Schruefer, P’30

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Chair:
Sarah Philippon P'25'27
Samantha Parker, P'29

Bull & Oyster Roast Chair:
Melanie & Nash McMahan, P'28'28

Pickleball Chair:
Megan Owings, P'29

Golf Chair:
TBD