MARCELINA GATES

Marcelina Gates is the name behind our wonderful #TBT and #FF on the Banyan Facebook page.  She has been spending time going through our Historian books and discovering and sharing the fun history of Banyan. 

You will also see her around campus this week overseeing all the wonderful Red Ribbon week activities that are planned.

Marcy has been super involved with her son’s school since preschool.  He started at Westlake Elementary is now a Banyan Bobcat.  She also has a little girl who will be one next month, 3 step kids and has been married for 2.5 years.

She has worked for a drug rehab for the past 5 years (not always the same one) and is all about educating the kids about the dangers of drug, alcohol, eating disorders and mental health.   Her goal is to open a treatment centers for single moms and moms from domestic violence.

Her mom is a preschool teacher at the Growing Place in Westlake, so she grew up always helping her at school and in the classroom. When she had Tyler she knew she wanted to be super proactive and involved.  Her kids and her hubby are her life!!!

 

 

KELLY & TAMARA TAGGART

This week’s Sunday Shout Out goes to Kelly & Tamara Taggart.  Their children are Hayley who is a senior at NPHS, Luke who is in 6th grade at Sequoia, Lindsey & Cal in 5th grade, and Kate in 4th grade at Banyan.

Tamara started getting involved with PTA when Luke was in Kindergarten at Banyan.  She served 2 years as Treasurer and 2 years as Financial Secretary.  She is now the library liaison.  

Kelly is the Terra-Cycle Coordinator.  He’s been serving in that position for 5 years.  Over the years he has collected and turned in…

• Drink Pouches - 39,874
• Energy bars  -12,498
• GoGo squeezes - 985
• Chip Bags - 11,985
• Cereal boxes/liners - 1,690
• Glue sticks - 634

Not only are they busy helping at Banyan but Tamara is the Treasurer for Cal’s Cub Scout Pack, secretary for the NPHS Girl’s Water Polo Booster Organization and assistant coach for Newbury Park Track Club.    Kelly is the Assistant Coach for Luke’s football team.  He also Referee’s for AYSO Region 42.   They have hosted an Alex’s Lemonade Stand for the past 11 years and have raised over $100,000 towards finding a cure for pediatric cancers.

Kelly serves LA City as a Captain at their Hollywood Station and Tamara works at Kid’s and Baby Gap the The Oaks Mall.  

When they aren’t enjoying their family, volunteering or working, they were contestants and winners on the game show SuperMarket Sweep.  They won not only their episode but went on to compete in and win the Tournament of Champions.  

Tamara was also on Wheel of Fortune and solved 1 puzzle winning $1,500.  Tamara ran with the Olympic Torch through LA City for the 2002 Winter Games.    She also completed an Ironman in Tempe AZ in 2012.

A HUGE THANK YOU to the TAGGARTS for all that they do for the school and community!!!

NIKKY JONES

 

Nikky Jones is a stay at home mom to four kids. Owen (7th), Heather (5th), Hayden (2nd), and Hailey (1st).  She has volunteered in many ways both at the schools and for sports. On the fields she’s been a soccer coach, softball manager. On campus she’s been a room parent, homework parent, copy parent, fall fundraiser coordinator, plus helping in many other ways over the years.  This year she is the PTA’s V.P. of Ways & Means, working relentlessly to ensure we raise enough funds to cover all the wonderful programs the PTA offers to ALL of our students.

Currently, most of her time is being taken by running the fall fundraiser.  If you haven't already checked it out - go to www.UncleJerrysTees.com - high quality items and reasonable prices. We are very excited to have such a top notch fundraiser.  Thank you Nikky for your research and planning.  This fundraiser along with parent pareticipation will ensure our students continue to have art and music lessons throughout the year.

Her volunteering started for when her daughter's U5 soccer coach quit. She took over as head coach, and saw how much it meant for the players for her to fill those shoes. 

She feels it is very important to be a positive role model for her kids, and she will continue volunteering for as long as her kids want her involved.

THANK YOU NIKKY for the difference you make and for all the hours you spend on campus and on the fields!