For more than 110 years, the month of February has been set aside to honor the Founders of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Founders’ Day commemorates the day in 1897 when 2,000 people established The National Congress of Mothers, later known as the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, to promote the welfare of children in the home, school, and community. 

Lynbrook celebrates Founders’ Day each year by honoring those who have made selfless contributions to the Lynbrook schools and community. Their stories were highlighted and they were presented with honors on Feb. 1 in the high school gymnasium at a ceremony organized by the Lynbrook Council of PTAs.

The night began at 7 p.m. with a welcome and Pledge of Allegiance headed by the Council of PTAs First Vice President Joanna Santoli. Then, PTA members from each school in the district, as well as the Lynbrook Special Education PTA (SEPTA), sequentially presented community members with awards. 

This year’s honorees included Laura Murray, Lisa Soethout, Michael Berrios, Meredith Celentano, Maria Lopez, Marie Sarro-Pizarro, Joseph Beyrer, Renee Jaworowski, Amanda Cioffi, Ivy A. Reilly, Nicole Aroksaar, Robert Lovergine, Keri Kelleher Walsh, James Saitta, and Mary Beth Stalter. Among the 15 total honorees, 14 Life Membership Awards and one Distinguished Service Award were received.

First to be presented with an award was Council of PTAs Co-president Laura Murray, who received Honorary Life Membership from the West End School PTA. Murray is known for her volunteer work in West End Elementary, and she has filled a variety of roles over the years: Kindergarten Center liaison, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and Compact and curriculum committee representative. 

Lauren Bowler, who presented Murray with the honor, remarked that Murray “always makes sure to advocate for what is best for children and parents.” Whether it be organizing food sales, back-to-school picnics, class parties, or fundraisers, Murray is always working toward creating a school atmosphere of “inclusion and fairness,” Bowler said. 

Social studies teacher Joseph Beyrer was awarded Honorary Life Membership to the North Middle School PTA for his “love for education and love for the Lynbrook community,” as stated by presenter Tina Gerbi. Beyrer has taught sixth and seventh grade social studies; Mock Trial, CSI, and Great Books elective courses; Sports Medicine; and CPR to students at North Middle. He now splits his time between the middle and high schools, teaching Participation in Government at LHS.

Lynbrook students know Beyrer also as the girls’ cross country and winter and spring track team coach, positions he has held for the past 18 years. In 2019, he was awarded the Nassau Country Coach of the year, and his teams have won 23 championships in his time as coach. Beyrer recently became curator of the LHS Athletic Hall of Fame and the district’s equipment manager. Additionally, Beyrer started the Giving Tree at North Middle, a project that spreads Christmas Cheer to underserved children and families around the holidays.

Council of PTAs Treasurer Mary Beth Stalter received the final honor of the night, the Distinguished Service Award, for her “outstanding contributions to the welfare of [Lynbrook students and to the PTA Association,” said presenter Joanna Santoli. The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual who has previously received an Honorary Life Membership and continues to devote themself to the community. 

Stalter has served as PTA President at Marion Street Elementary School and LHS; VP of PTA Membership at South Middle School and LHS; Treasurer for the Grace Play School, Marion Street, South Middle, LHS, the PTA Council, Lynbrook Hoops Club, and Lynbrook East Rockaway Soccer Club; Kindergarten Center Liaison; among other roles. She has made notable volunteer contributions to multiple organizations including the Headstrong Foundation, Mondays at Racines, the SIBS Foundation, the Dig Pink Foundation, Hoops for Hope, and the Nassau Suffolk Autism Society. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stalter has worked especially hard to organize fundraisers and events for LHS students, including the “Pave a Path” Scholarship Campaign that raised nearly $100,000 for graduating students.

Friend and fellow honoree Nicole Aroksaar said, “It has been a pleasure to volunteer alongside Mary Beth…She is a true force to be reckoned with… Mary Beth’s constant hard work and care for the Lynbrook students make her most deserving of this highly distinguished honor.”

Stalter’s son, Dylan, is a senior at LHS, and he has witnessed firsthand her dedication to the Lynbrook schools. “I’m very proud of my mom,” Dylan said. “She is always doing whatever she can to get involved in the community, so she deserves this award.”