A love of theatre and commitment to community inspire Anita Lobanov's volunteer spirit.

From the colorful posters on her office wall at Ball Corporation in Westminster to the screen saver on her home computer, Westminster resident Anita Lobanov's passion is clear: high school theatre and high school students. This full-time accountant, wife and mother of three sons is the retiring president of the Pomona High School Catwalk Theatre Guild , a volunteer position she has held for three years. Lobanov joined the Guild in 2004 when her eldest son "took a shine to performing," she says. "At first I was hesitant to fully commit, because I thought my son would resist having his mother hanging around. But I came to see that the students really appreciate what the Guild does to support their dreams."

That support comes in many forms. The Guild is far more than a fundraising organization, says Lobanov. Parents do everything from sewing costumes and building and painting sets to managing concessions and catering cast dinners for up to three major productions a year. They handle administrative tasks and bring in a constant flow of snacks and drinks to keep the students and directors going during long hours of rehearsal.

"Guild members take on tasks that allow the directors to focus on the students," says Pomona Theatre Director Gavin Mayer. "They provide advocacy for the theatre department within the school and the community. But most importantly they provide moral support."

When Lobanov took over the presidency, she examined how to best utilize all the Guild members' talents, skills and resources. "Our group was comprised of creative parents, reflective of the artistic children we were supporting. If we could tap into that creativity, everyone would be able to contribute in a way that was meaningful to them," she says. "The arts are fun. I felt that the spirit of our parent group should reflect that."

Always thinking outside the box, this theatre advocate has come up with creative ways to support the theatre department, from a fundraising effort that raised $2,200 by collecting spare change, to the zany commencement ceremony for senior parents in the Guild, to sending hand-delivered, personalized invitations to the spring musical to Jefferson County School superintendents.

While two of Lobanov's sons have been actively involved in theatre at Pomona, she clearly devotes her time and energy for the benefit of all students. "Anita has been an amazing president, pushing the Guild up to the next level and expanding the idea of community, but her greatest attribute has been her commitment," says Mayer. "She has truly worked for the good of the program as a whole and in turn, every student in the department. Her energies are always put towards what she thinks will be of the greatest benefit to everyone."

Reflecting on her years of involvement in the Guild, Lobanov says, "My passion runs deep not only for the arts but for adults working in support of their kids' interests and dreams. If I can influence even one parent to commit time to his or her child's high school, then it's all worth it."

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