What We Do
We've been supporting the students and teachers of Zaharis Elementary for over two decades.
The Zaharis PTO (ZPTO) is a dedicated group of parent and staff volunteers committed to making every student's experience at Zaharis fun, enriching, and memorable. We believe that a strong school community is built through collaboration, support, and meaningful connections.
Through fundraising, we help provide resources for classrooms and school programs, support and celebrate our incredible teachers and staff, partner with local businesses, and organize exciting events that bring families together throughout the year. Every effort we make is focused on enhancing the educational experience and strengthening our Zaharis community.
The Zaharis PTO is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Meet the 2026-2027 Board
Krystal Hon, Treasurer
Krystal is excited to be joining the PTO Board as Treasurer this year now that her youngest is starting kindergarten! This is her seventh year as a parent at Zaharis. She and her husband, Devin, have three children attending Zaharis: Holly, who is in sixth grade; Sophie, who is in third grade; and Milo, who is in kindergarten. They also have an eighth grader, Maddy, who attends Mesa Academy.
Krystal is an Arizona native and a graduate of Mesa High School. She earned a degree in accounting and is excited to support the amazing Zaharis teachers, staff, and students through her work with the PTO. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Ashley Barras, Former President
Ashley has been a parent at Zaharis for seven years and is the mother of Gavin, an eighth grader at Shepard Junior High, and Westin, a third grader. Three years ago, she served as the PTO Vice President and was later elected President, serving from 2024 to 2026.
Ashley is excited to continue serving the Zaharis community in her new role as Supporting President. With a genuine passion for enhancing the educational experience for all students and creating a fun, welcoming environment for staff and families, she is committed to making a positive impact on the school community.
Samantha McGirr, President
Samantha is excited to be joining the Zaharis PTO Board for another year, this time as President. She is an Arizona native and a former second-grade teacher. Samantha is passionate about supporting students and teachers while helping build a fun, welcoming school community.
She has three children: Pepper, who is in fourth grade; Henk, who is in first grade; and Stockton, who is 2 years old. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, and going on adventures with her family. She is looking forward to a great year with the Zaharis community!