Look for our smiling faces around the school!
Your 2024-2025 Ballantyne Elementary PTA Executive Board
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President : Jessica Hightower
[email protected] Jessica and her family moved to Charlotte two years ago and absolutely love it here. She’s mom to a kindergartener and first grader. Jessica loves running, reading, traveling, volunteering and building a strong community. Her previous experience includes supporting the FAA, NASA, UK NATS and Google. She is currently the Vice President of Prima La Comunità, a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing small towns. She’s very excited to serve as President, continuing the PTA mission to advocate for the education, health, safety and success of all youth while building strong families and communities. |
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Secretary : Emily Hanson
Mom of two, Emily, likes to say, "It all started with a fruit platter." Prone to fits of sweet, southern hospitality, she can throw together the loveliest of luncheons with her eyes closed and one arm tied behind her back. Emily's youngest is in fifth grade at BES, and the PTA is devastated at the thought of carrying on next year without her. Her open mind and level head have always been an asset! |
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Treasurer : Chelsea Schlepp
[email protected] Chelsea is taking over our treasurer position after spending time as the VP of Communications. Her two daughters are in third and fourth grade. In addition to her mom role, she's also a dog mom, wife, and crossword puzzle enthusiast! She loves to chat and you'll often see her at our events, so don't hesitate to say "hi!" if you see her around school! |
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Vice President of Hospitality : Dawn Baynham
[email protected] Dawn is a mom of three amazing children. Her oldest son is a third grader, and she has a rising kindergartner, and one more future Bear at home. She is excited to be filling the Vice President of Hospitality role this year. Prior to being on the PTA board, she had experience working in a school setting as a former elementary school teacher. Dawn is a Maryland native, and moved to Charlotte five years ago. When she is not running around with her busy kids, she enjoys spending time hiking, beaching, and having kitchen karaoke dance parties to the best '90s music. She is looking forward to continuing to support the school and community in this role! |
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Vice President of Programs : Austin Fitch
[email protected] Austin is entering his fourth year on Ballantyne PTA board this year, as his daughter heads into fourth grade and son into first grade. Serving as VP of Programs, he is excited to be involved at BES! The Fitch Family will be around for a while as their youngest won't finish at Ballantyne until 2032! In their free time, they enjoy traveling. |
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Vice President of Special Events : Jen Banks
Jen is the proud mama of two boys. This is her second year getting involved at BES, and her first year serving on the board. She's honored to serve and looks forward to an amazing school year full of fun experiences for the whole family! |
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Vice President, Fundraising : Darcey Meus
[email protected] Darcey is a proud mama to an amazing third grader! This is her fourth year on the PTA, and she is excited to become more involved. She grew up in Charlotte and is a CMS kid herself. When she isn’t working her dream job, she loves to hang out with her daughter and spend time with family and friends. She is always planning their next road-trip. The two of them are masters at car karaoke! You might even see them rockin out in the carpool line. (Apologies in advance!) You’ll most likely run into Darcey and her daughter wearing matching leopard print! |
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Executive Board Member at Large : Wendy La
[email protected] Just Kind of Doing What He is Told : Tom La [email protected] Wendy: Biggest Disney fan that you have ever met in your life, guaranteed. Full-time homemaker, part-time artist. Dry, sarcastic, silently judging your grammar, but also has a big heart. So very shy, and socially awkward, but if she can do this volunteer stuff, hey guess what? YOU CAN DO IT, TOO! C'mon! Tom: Second biggest Disney fan that you have ever met in your life. Probably. Driven by design. Passionate about branding. Enjoys Mid Century Modern. Can (and does) sleep anywhere. Not on the Board anymore, but still here to help out his wife and her friends. Absolute stud-muffin. Wendy may have written his bio. |
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At-Large Board Member : Carolyn Semach
Carolyn has two daughters who are in 1st and 3rd grade at Ballantyne Elementary. This is her first year serving on the board and her second year volunteering with the PTA. After relocating from San Antonio last year, her family has been enjoying the area and exploring its outdoor activities. Carolyn loves to travel, cook, and volunteer in her free time. |
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Vice President of Communication : Asma Mukaddam
Asma and her family moved to Charlotte 3 years ago. Asma loves her job as a Care Manager where she supports individuals with special needs. She has three daughters, one in 5th, 3rd, and K. This is Asma’s first year on the board. Asma started volunteering last year with the PTA and was on the Hospitality Committee and Capital Campaign Committee. In her free time, Asma likes to travel, explore new restaurants and coffee shops, and spending time with her family and friends. |
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Nominating Committee Chair : Lauren McDonagh [email protected] Lauren: Working parent, convinced by her 2 kids and lovely neighbors to step up and volunteer. Always have so much fun seeing the joy on the kids faces. Loves her job in HR at Brighthouse Financial and proud to have her kids attending such a great school in BES. If you don’t find her at home or school, you may find her at HOTWORX Ballantyne, her current obsession. |
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Audit Committee Chair : Jen McIntyre
Jen is a mom of three awesome humans. Her oldest son is entering 8th grade at Community House while the younger two are still at BES in 5th and 3rd grade. This is Jen’s 3rd year on the PTA as Auditor but the kids at Ballantyne know her best for hosting the Scholastic Book Fairs three times a year. When Jen is not at BES she enjoys working out, walking her dog Levi and cheering loudly at all of her kids sporting events. |
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Advocacy Committee Chair : Nancy Scholz
Nancy is serving her 2nd year on the board in the advocacy role and is passionate about building out ways to support our Ballantyne families, the community as well as those of our sister school, Hidden Valley Elementary. A mom of 3 kids - a high schooler, middle schooler and 3rd grader Ballantyne Bear, she stays busy. Nancy and her family are avid sports fans, love to spend time at the beach and stay active! |
Do want to learn more about our Board and Committee Chair Roles and Responsibilities? Click Here!
