PTA Board Members
Get to Know Your PTA Board Members!!
Co-President Amanda Ables
Hello Hawthorne! I am Amanda Ables and this is my 5th year as a Hawthorne Hawk parent and my 3rd on the PTA Board. My son Henry is in the 4th grade and my daughter Ava is in the 2nd grade. We chose Hawthorne because we wanted our children to be a part of a thriving multi-cultural educational community and hope that the Spanish Immersion curriculum will help our entire family grow in our bilingual skills. We have been continually impressed with Hawthorne’s stellar faculty and staff and welcoming environment. I joined the PTA because I truly believe that getting involved, doing your part, and connecting with others is absolutely the path to a community’s strength and success – and it’s a great way to meet other parents at school! We’re all excited for the new year – Go HAWKS
Co-President Nikki Grizzle
Hi everyone! My name is Nikki Grizzle, and my husband Josh and I have three children currently attending JCPS schools. My Hawthorne Hawks are Ellis ( 4th grade) and Georgia ( 2nd grade), and we also have Selby, a 7th grader at Noe middle school. This year will be my fourth serving on the PTSA Board at Hawthorne. Over the years, Hawthorne has become a second home to the Grizzles. We love the immersion program, the community, and the family atmosphere that Hawthorne offers. I love helping plan events for our Hawks and finding ways to show our appreciation to the teachers and staff that do so much for our children.
I am looking forward to a wonderful school year with my Hawks!
Vice President Jennifer Alonso
This is Jennifer’s third year as a Hawthorne parent and second year serving on the PTA Board. She is excited about the opportunity to be involved in school-wide initiatives that impact our kids' education and school experience. Jennifer was born and raised in Louisville and is married to Mitchel, who is from Cuba and has lived in Louisville for 28 years. They have one child, Aiden in the 2nd grade at Hawthorne. Jennifer and her family enjoy walking their dog, riding bikes, gardening, and soccer.
Professionally, Jennifer is a registered architect practicing at a local design firm and received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Kentucky.
Treasurer Rob Thompson
Hola! I am Rob Thompson, proud parent of Bennett (2nd grader) and Hannah (Kindergartner). Although I'm a market researcher myself, I come from a family of teachers and love to watching kids or anybody learn. I was excited about the strength of Hawthorne when moving to Louisville in 2020 and the bilingual system, but the strength of Bennett's teachers and the community for a COVID impacted kindergarten experience solidified my need to get involved. With all that we learned from the challenges of our non-traditional year, I'm nothing but excited for where this community will go next.
Nunca es tarde para aprender | It's never too late to learn
Secretary Amy Nace-Degonda
Amy Nace-DeGonda is a parent of two Hawthorne students, 2nd and 4th grade. Amy has served on the PTA since 2019, first as a board shadow followed by a 2 year stint as PTA President. Amy currently serves as PTA Secretary. Amy enjoys being involved in life at Hawthorne, working to ensure students and faculty have the resources they need as well as fun events to attend.
Autumn Mozier
Hello, I am Autumn Mozier! My husband, Chris, and I are parents to two boys, Milo (1st grade) and Oscar (future Hawk of 2023). We are so excited to join the Hawthorne family this school year and look forward to the opportunities of the bilingual program. I am a school counselor here in JCPS and I know how important it is to become a part of the school community. I love helping out with events and want to be an active member of my child’s school so I can give back, as well as ensure all Hawks have an enriching school experience!
Elvira Paguada-Gutierrez
¡Hola Hawthorne! I am Elvira Paguada-Gutierrez; I have been a Hawthorne Hawk parent (Elliana, 1st grade) and Hawthorne’s Family Resource Center (FRC) Coordinator for two years.
We chose Hawthorne because, as a bilingual family, we wanted to be sure our kids would be exposed to our native language as much as possible, and what better way than at school while they are doing a lot of their learning? I believe in the importance of being bilingual and how it provides incredible opportunities for oneself and the facilitation to help others in the community. As FRC Coordinator and PTA member, I hope to engage more of our Spanish-speaking families in the PTA and all the great offerings and events the PTA facilitates.
Karen Martins - Board Shadow
Hi everyone! I’m Karen Martins. My husband, Pedro, and I are the parents of Emma (2nd grade). I was raised in Florida by a public school teacher and Pedro grew up in Portugal - so we were excited to join a school that celebrates diversity, bilingual education, community. I’m serving as a board shadow this year on the PTA, and look forward to helping drive broader parent engagement and supporting the needs of our teachers and students.
Daniela Trice - Board Shadow
Hola! I am Daniela Trice! My husband, Kevin, and I are proud parents of Valentina (2nd grade), Victoria (Kindergarten), and Viviana (future Hawthorne Hawk). We are a bilingual and bi-cultural family that celebrates African American and Chilean customs. We are so excited to be part of the Hawthorne family and look forward to being part of an environment that celebrates Spanish and Hispanic heritage. This year I will be a board shadow on the PTA and look forward to helping in events and ensuring students, teachers and staff have a great year.