Amanda Pangrazio and Jennifer Presley share more than their roles as Unity Point PTO President and Treasurer—they share a vision of creating one unified team that includes everyone from custodians to administrators, parents to students.

"We're striving to make everybody a Trojan," Jennifer explains. "Teachers are not over here, students aren't over here, and parents over there. We're all one team together. Even down to the custodians and bus drivers."

This philosophy drives their Parent-Teacher Organization, which meets the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM in Unity Point's library. While their core group includes 8-10 consistent members, they emphasize that involvement can take many forms—from attending events to simply linking a Kroger card to automatically generate donations when shopping.

"You can be involved as much as you want," Jennifer notes. "Sometimes people think once they say they're interested, we're going to bother them. That's not true. We're so happy to have help in any way you can."

Their year features monthly events designed to build community while supporting the school. The annual rummage sale partnered with Giant City School District this year, while their November holiday bazaar welcomes the entire community. Restaurant nights provide easy dinner solutions while generating funds, and book fairs bring literacy excitement to campus.

The most ambitious addition came this year with their Back to School Bash—a complete reimagining of the traditional meet-your-teacher night. Instead of quick supply drop-offs, families stayed for food trucks, bounce houses, balloon artists, free haircuts, and community resource booths. The PTO funded free school supplies, hot dogs, and even a free ice cream truck.

"We didn't make any money, but that wasn't the point," Amanda explains. "This year we wanted to give back." Families lingered until 7 PM despite school starting the next day.

Support for teachers extends beyond events. The PTO has funded a new teacher supply room stocked with everything from pencils to construction paper, ensuring educators don't spend personal money on basic needs. They also provide spring allocations for larger requests—specialized seating, book series, or room makeovers.

"We know what it's like to buy our own office supplies," Jennifer says, drawing on her background as a school counselor. Amanda, a former high school English teacher, adds, "What we give to the teachers, they then give to the students. It's all just a big loop."

Their teacher appreciation efforts included school supply carts delivered with music throughout the building, succulent bars where staff created personalized planters, and funded teacher meals during the Back to School Bash.

Both women understand Unity Point's unique position as a diverse community hub. "We have such a diverse background from all these different countries, and some families haven't experienced a back-to-school carnival," Jennifer observes. "We want them to come here and feel comfortable, maybe meet somebody."

Volunteer recruitment remains challenging. "It would be great to have more people come to meetings," Amanda acknowledges. They appreciate any level of involvement, from the working mother who can only help at weekend rummage sales to families who contribute by shopping with linked Kroger cards.

Jennifer's connection to Unity Point runs deep—she attended through fifth grade, and her husband graduated eighth grade from the school. "To me, it feels like home," she says. "When my child was sick last week, Tammy’s phone call home led with 'she's okay.' I know they're safe here."

Both serve as athletic boosters alongside their PTO roles, reflecting Unity Point's interconnected community support systems. Their evolution from primarily fundraising to balanced community building represents their broader vision.

"This year we're trying to spend money where it's going to make an impact," Amanda explains. "We really want to provide experiences that help kids feel comfortable and excited to be at school."

As former educators managing personal challenges, both women bring understanding to their volunteer leadership. Jennifer's health journey led to retirement from education, though she continues creating social media content for Unity Point. Amanda stepped away from teaching while pursuing additional education.

Their "One Team Together" philosophy extends beyond Unity Point's walls to encompass the broader Carbondale community. By partnering with local restaurants, inviting community organizations to events, and welcoming all families regardless of Unity Point enrollment, they're building bridges that strengthen everyone involved.

"Everyone is a team, everyone is a Trojan," Amanda concludes. "Everyone in this building knows your child. Who could ask for more than to be part of that?"