Johanna Proudfoot

I'll be honest, I was a little surprised to be nominated for this award. When I look at some of the previous recipients and the incredible amount they have given to our community, I'm not sure I would put myself in the same category. I've never really thought of my volunteering as anything extraordinary. I've just always felt that if I'm part of a community, I should contribute to it.

For the past 15 years, that has mainly meant volunteering in my kids' schools. I have been the PAC Chair at every school they have attended since 2011. I was Chair at Mamquam Elementary from 2011-2016, Squamish Elementary from 2016-2018, and Don Ross Middle School from 2018-2024. In 2021, I also became PAC Chair at Howe Sound Secondary, so for three years I was Chair of two PACs at the same time. I have continued as Chair at HSSS since then and was recently re-elected for the 2026-27 school year, which will be my son's final year there.

Being PAC Chair is a lot more than just attending a meeting once a month. There is a lot of work that happens behind the scenes: organizing, fundraising, communicating with families, working with administration and staff, supporting students and trying to make things happen when there is a need or an opportunity.

At Mamquam, I put a lot of time into fundraising for a new playground. At Squamish Elementary, I worked to build a stronger sense of community between the French Immersion and English programs so that we felt more like one school community. At DRMS and HSSS, my focus has continued to be supporting students, families and the schools in whatever ways I can.

My other long-standing volunteer commitment has been Squamish Days Logger Sports. I have volunteered in some capacity for most of the past 30 years, missing only a year or two. More recently, I have been a Head Timer on the Logger Sports grounds.

I think the common thread through all of this is that I show up. I'm willing to take on the responsibility, do the work and stick with it.

There are so many people in Squamish who give an incredible amount to our community, and I have a lot of respect for them. I don't volunteer for recognition, and I certainly never expected to be nominated for something like this. But I am proud of the fact that I have continued to show up for our schools, our kids and our community for a very long time.