Poway Unified Announces 2024-45 ‘PUSD Volunteers of the Year’

The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is proud to announce that Annie Chin-Auyoung, Park Village Elementary School Volunteer; Joe Rukaj, Shoal Creek Elementary School Volunteer; and Meha Sentil, Mesa Verde Middle School Volunteer have all been chosen as the PUSD Volunteers of the Year for 2024-2025 School Year.

Schools across Poway Unified had the opportunity to nominate their site’s Volunteer of the Year for District level recognition. The nominations were reviewed by a committee of District staff and the selections are based on the impact an individual has had on their school community, the dedication of their own time for the benefit of students and teachers, and the outcome of their efforts. Poway Unified volunteers are pivotal to the success of school events and programs, such as clubs, athletics, arts, fundraisers, and student enrichment.

Annie Chin-Auyoung, Park Village Elementary School Volunteer

Annie has been a significant contributor to the Park Village Elementary School community for the past two years. When she first became involved, the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) was at risk of dissolving due to lack of engagement and support. Annie’s tireless efforts and innovative ideas helped revitalize the organization and transformed it into a thriving group that embodies a collaborative spirit with all members. Her ability to connect with parents, teachers, and community members alike plays an instrumental role in fostering a supportive environment at Park Village.

Throughout her time at Park Village Elementary, Annie has successfully brought back many STEAM-centered after-school clubs and campus-wide initiatives. Most notably, Annie brought the First Lego League back to Park Village and their teams not only competed, but won first and second place in the recent competitions. The students and families at Park Village have been provided with multiple new or reimagined opportunities such as Science and Math Olympiad, Running Club, and the Spelling Bee. Annie continually sparks joy and excitement in students and positively impacts the school’s culture.

Joe Rukaj, Shoal Creek Elementary School Volunteer

Joe is a staple part of the Shoal Creek Elementary School community, not only as a volunteer but also as a coach and parent. Throughout his time at the school, Joe’s contributions have created a stronger, more inclusive, and engaging environment for students, staff, and families. 

This year, Joe created the Shoal Creek Dad’s Crew (SCDC), an initiative designed to encourage greater involvement from fathers and male role models within Shoal Creek Elementary. Through this group, Joe fostered a unique sense of camaraderie and connection among the school’s dads and has built positive relationships between families and the school. His leadership has inspired many to become active participants in school life and will leave a lasting impact on the community for years to come. 

Joe also gives countless hours of his time to volunteer on campus both during and after school. He dedicates his weekends to campus clean-up days which includes pulling weeds, power washing hallways, picking up trash, and more. He is a key player in organizing and executing annual campus-wide events and always creates a memorable experience for Shoal Creek’s community. From supporting the school garden to helping with odd jobs and last-minute projects, Joe is consistently available, reliable, and ready to support in any way he can and does so with enthusiasm for Shoal Creek Elementary. 

Meha Sentil, Mesa Verde Middle School Volunteer

Meha’s passion for change, dedication, and creativity has directly impacted Mesa Verde in immeasurable ways. She consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference for students, staff, and families. 

As a volunteer, Meha has devoted a considerable amount of time and effort to the beautification of Mesa Verde’s campus. These efforts include leading students to design art and paint it on the cafeteria columns as well as collaborating with community organizations to create a beautiful mural installation on campus representing local plants and animals the students have studied. This mural coincided with a new initiative Meha coordinated called Nature Immersion Days. This  program focuses on teaching students about the local plant species that naturally grow in the community surrounding the school. Each grade level participated in lessons designed to engage them with the local environment, fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world around them.

Meha’s unwavering dedication to the Mesa Verde community, both in terms of education and campus improvement, has left a lasting, positive impact on the school. Her innovative ideas and tireless commitment make her an irreplaceable part of Mesa Verde. 

2024-25 Poway Unified School District Volunteers of the Year

Congratulations to all of our site Volunteers of the Year – each individual gives their own time and resources to provide the best opportunities for our students, staff, and communities.