Skye Grainger 
Booster Club leader Mary Ellen Hamilton recently retired after 10 years of serving STA. The Booster Club is a nonprofit organization of dedicated parent volunteers that makes many of the events at our school possible. With volunteers for apparel sales at athletic events, Back-to-School Night, Raider Night, athletic program banners, ad sales, and more, Booster Club members sponsor almost everything.
The Booster Club is part of what makes STA so special and different from other schools. The members never fail to support our students in all aspects of life. From hosting events, to posting the accomplishments of students like academics and athletics online, we know we can rely on the Booster Club to be there. In recent years, this has all been made possible with leadership from Mary Ellen Hamilton. In her 10 years at STA, she has done so much to improve our school and strengthen our community. When asked a few questions about her time at STA she responded, “I was surprised at how many adults had never volunteered in their child’s school before St. Thomas. I decided to initially join the Booster [Club] after speaking with several members of the club during Raider Night. My family lives in Parkland and we did not know many people at the school. I thought it was a good way to meet other parents and know what was happening at the school.” According to Ms. Hamilton, her most rewarding experience is working with the students who volunteer with her, and her favorite part of volunteering is meeting so many people from all over the world at Booster events. The Booster Club is a great way for both students and parents to get involved, plus students earn much needed service hours from volunteering. This is needed as Ms. Hamilton stated that the most challenging part is recruiting new adult volunteers who have the same passion about service to school and community.
Now that she is retired she plans to travel and spend more time making memories with family and friends, and is especially excited to spend the fall in the mountains of NC this August and September. Her greatest accomplishment is recruiting volunteers and retaining them long after their children have graduated. When asked if there was anyone of great help during her time she said, “Carlos Giron and Steve Strand were invaluable to me regarding running my events.” It’s so important to honor and recognize those who help us and our community. The Booster Club is an amazing organization that more students and parents should look into volunteering for.
