Meet this year’s PTO presidents
Vestavia Hills High School
Tracy Lemak
I am the proud mom of three beautiful children. My youngest is a VHHS student. I have been a Vestavia resident since 2004 and have served as PTO vice president at East, president at Central, PTO Council president, and treasurer at the high school.
VHHS PTO sponsors monthly Parent Awareness meetings with informative topics and speakers. Our Fabulous Faculty Fridays provide parents with an opportunity to show our incredible teachers how much they are appreciated. And new this year, the PTO is hosting a homecoming week event for students, parents, alumni and community members. Our Rebel family can visit the food trucks that will be on campus while enjoying entertainment from VHHS students as we showcase some of the outstanding talent in our school.
The VHHS administration, faculty and staff have embraced the philosophy of “Learning Without Limits” and are dedicated to providing innovative approaches to education.
Liberty Park Middle School
Jennifer Weaver
My family and I have lived in Liberty Park for nine years. My husband and I have three children. Our daughter is entering seventh grade at Liberty Park Middle and our boys are going into fifth and third at Liberty Park Elementary. I am honored to be serving as the LPMS PTO president.
We have a lot of great things in store for our wonderful staff and community of families. We are looking to begin funding our STEAM lab activities as well as continuing to advance our technology purchase with Chromebooks and math and science subscriptions. We are looking forward to a wonderful year in Liberty Park.
Liberty Park Elementary School
Kim Heninger
I grew up in the Midwest but married a Vestavia native and VHHS alumnus, Erik Heninger. We have an 8-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter and have lived in Liberty Park for four years.
VHELP PTO is looking forward to two exciting new events for 2016-17: VHELP Spirit Shop and Parents’ Night Out. The VHELP Spirit Shop will launch during registration and will offer our parents and students the opportunity to show their community and school spirit through branded Vestavia apparel. The debut of our Parents’ Night Out spring fundraiser will take place at the end of January. This new event is in response to the tremendous growth in our school and the current construction project that includes 14 new classrooms, lunchroom expansion, additional storage and renovations at VHELP. Parents’ Night Out will offer our parents the opportunity for a fun night out while raising funds to support the ongoing enrichment needs of our school.
VHELP is truly special for so many reasons: the family-like atmosphere, engaged parents, forward thinking administration and, most importantly, our teachers and their dedication to our children and their future success.
Pizitz Middle School
Missy Armstrong
I am so excited to serve as the PTO president for Pizitz Middle School. I grew up in Vestavia and actually went to Pizitz, as well as Vestavia Elementary East and Vestavia Hills High School, so that makes this year even more special for me. My husband and I have three daughters and have been so pleased with the Vestavia school system, especially Pizitz. I can’t wait to work with Principal Meredith Hanson, the administrators and the incredible staff who truly believe and live out every day the Pirate Creed of character, excellence and family. I know that with their help and the wonderful parents of the PTO, we are on track to have the best year ever.
Vestavia Hills Elementary Central
Summer Zulanas
I am married to Chris Zulanas. My oldest son, Carter, will be a freshman at the high school this fall. My youngest son, Sam, will be in fifth grade at Central. I am a graduate of Auburn University and Cumberland School of Law and am currently a stay-at-home mom. I am looking forward to working with the teachers, administration, staff and parents at Central this year.
Vestavia Hills Elementary West
Kellie Box
I am married to Lyles Box, and we have a daughter, Ridley Tate, who will be in fourth grade at Central and a son, Hollis, who will be starting kindergarten at West.
I am looking forward to the exciting year that we have planned at West. We will be kicking off our Gift Wrap and Cookie Dough Fundraiser on Sept. 7. This sale was a huge success last year, and we hope to continue with that this year. The students’ favorite night of the year is our annual carnival. This year it will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. The theme this year is West’s Cowboy Carnival. For the adults at West we have our annual Bids and Bites silent and live auction on Friday, Feb. 3. This is always a fun night out with spouses or friends.
West is such a special school. The warm atmosphere when you walk in the building is just amazing. You know immediately that your child will be loved and nurtured. It is such a pleasure to work with our wonderful administration and staff to reach our common goal of an even better learning experience for our children.
Vestavia Hills Elementary East
Alyce Manown
My husband Steve and I have three boys: Riggs, 11; Grayer, 8; and Lawson, 6. We moved to Vestavia eight years ago not only for the wonderful schools, but also for the friendly community and people.
East has some exciting fundraisers and events to look forward to this year. We are ready to kick off the 2016-17 school year with our annual gift-wrap fundraiser from Aug. 15 to Sept. 8. October is always an exciting month for students, staff and parents at East as we look forward to our carnival on Oct. 27. Also in October, East is looking forward to hosting Children’s of Alabama BodyTrek as our schoolwide Enrichment Festival. This is always a fun hands-on learning opportunity for the students. The much anticipated and favorite fundraiser for parents and staff is our Bowling in the Hills event in January. This third annual auction and team bowling night is always such a fun event.
What makes East so special is the warm and inviting faculty and staff, happy, engaged students, as well as the many fabulous volunteers and overall community support.
Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights
Erin Boryczka
My husband, Tad, and I have three children and have lived in Vestavia for 13 years. We have two boys that attend Cahaba Heights Elementary and a little girl who will be attending the school system in a few years.
Our PTO Board is looking forward to the upcoming school year, and we are in the process of revamping our main fundraiser of the year. The construction on our new school gym is beginning this summer. We are hoping to align some of our special project requests from the school, which are funded by the PTO, to enhance our new addition. Our PTO will help host the “Taste of the Heights Spring Art Show” where parents are able to view their children’s artwork while sampling food from our local restaurants. We will also assist the school with Career Day, where the students will have the opportunity to learn from people in our community about their professions.
Our parents and children are so thankful for the caring administration and teachers at our school. It makes it an easy decision to serve our school through the PTO because we know the school is enriching our children’s lives and the community.