School volunteers honored at citywide PTA banquet and awards ceremony
Landstown High co-PTSA President Shante Rambert is the school’s “Volunteer of the Year.” Principal Dr. Paula Johnson said the mother of four always goes “above and beyond.” From left, Johnson, Birdneck Elementary principal Karla Young, VBCPS Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson Jr. and Rambert.
The annual VBCPS Citywide PTA dinner and awards ceremony was held May 14 at Bayside High School. From left, citywide secretary Geraldine Eady, treasurer Jean Granger and president Tara Campbell greeted guests.
More than 400 people attended the VBCPS Citywide PTA dinner and awards ceremony May 14 at Bayside High School.
The annual event hosted by the Virginia Beach Council of PTAs and supported by the VBCPS Office of Family and Community Engagement honored each school’s “Volunteer of the Year.”
Following dinner from Outback Steakhouse and the Bayside High School culinary department, VBCPS Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson Jr. thanked the volunteers for making a positive impact on students’ education.
“Our PTAs are invested in the success of our schools,” he said.
VBCPS Citywide PTA President Tara Campbell announced the 2025 divisionwide “Volunteer of the Year” for the primary and secondary levels.
Primary:
Amy Torres, Birdneck Elementary’s “Volunteer of the Year,” supported the design and development of an outdoor garden and learning space at the school. The Amazon employee secured a group of volunteers from her company to assist with physical labor and ongoing maintenance. The garden has become an invaluable resource for students to engage in hands-on learning. In addition, she was instrumental in acquiring items for the teachers’ lounge to make the space more comfortable and supportive for staff. Also, thanks to Torres, the school received laboratory coats for students in support of science programs.
Birdneck Elementary volunteer Amy Torres was named the 2024-25 Virginia Beach Citywide PTA “Volunteer of the Year” in the primary division. Bayside High principal Troy Walton assisted the Virginia Beach Council of PTAs with the awards.
Secondary:
Kelly Siegel, Corporate Landing Middle School’s “Volunteer of the Year,” organized numerous events and initiatives to enrich the educational experience for students, including student dances, family movie nights, Halloween “boo grams” for students, a sneaker drive for those in need, and a food drive to support the local food bank. She also coordinated donations for Corporate Landing Middle students and staff in need and put together many staff appreciation events and supply drives. She spearheaded the school’s first annual BoosterThon Color Run to fund some of the school’s ancillary endeavors.
Corporate Landing Middle volunteer Kelly Siegel is the 2024-25 Virginia Beach Cityside PTA “Volunteer of the Year” in the secondary division. Bayside High principal Troy Walton assisted the Virginia Beach Council of PTAs with the awards.
Additional recognitions:
Other awards were presented to local PTAs. More than 40 units were recognized for increasing PTA membership levels from last year and also for sending 75% of their membership dues to the state PTA by Dec. 1.
Eight schools received the merit award for having 100% membership from teachers and staff: Centerville, Fairfield, Glenwood, Hermitage, Luxford, New Castle Ocean Lakes elementary schools and Landstown Middle.
The exemplary award for outstanding contributions by the PTA went to Glenwood, Centerville, Hermitage and Ocean Lakes elementary schools and Landstown Middle.
Visit vbschools.com for more information about volunteering with VBCPS.
Pembroke Elementary PTA treasurer Matt Whitlock, a professor at Old Dominion University, is the school’s “Volunteer of the Year.” His wife Hayley is a teacher at the school, while daughter Ellie is in third grade and sister Madelyn will start kindergarten next year. “He’s awesome,” said PTA president Cheryl Conrad. “I pick up the phone and ask and he says – I got it!” From left, PTA vice-president of membership Christina Vacca, Conrad, principal Linda Sidone, the Whitlocks.Kempsville Meadows Elementary was well-represented at the Citywide PTA dinner and awards banquet. From left, principal Christa Markert, PTA membership chair and ESL teacher Josie Buni, the school’s “Volunteer of the Year” Kimberly Garrison and PTA treasurer Carole Fouts.The Ocean Lakes Elementary PTA won four awards during the Citywide PTA dinner and awards banquet on May 14. Their “Volunteer of the Year” Marianne Bynum was out of town.Bobby and Janice Gunter are Rosemont Forest’s “Volunteers of the Year.” Their grandson Trevor Gunter is in kindergarten. “Anything we need – they will do it,” said principal Stephanie Haus. From left, the Gunters, PTA board member and teacher assistant Tia Aurbsy, Haus.Banquet tables at the VBCPS Cityside PTA awards celebration featured a summary of the contributions of each school’s “Volunteer of the Year.”The VBCPS PTA dinner and awards celebration was hosted with the VBCPS Office of Family and Community Engagement. Left, Jen McGowan, coordinator of school and community partnerships; and FACE Director Dr. Admon Alexander.VBCPS Citywide PTA guests were treated to dinner from Outback Steakhouse before the awards presentation.Senior Navy Chief Cody Burnside is Creeds Elementary’s “Volunteer of the Year.” He attended the awards ceremony and banquet with his wife Kristen. They said daughter Annie, a fourth grader, enjoys having her dad volunteer at the school. She is the last of their four children to attend Creeds.Volunteers received thank you cards, recognition certificates and tumblers.
