Meet the PTO
Meet the PTO!
If you have any questions for the PTO, feel free to email pto@smsbspa.org.
.jpeg)
Tara Testo, President
Hello! This is my second year as PTO President. As a St Mary’s alumna, I am overjoyed to be involved in the school in this capacity. After graduating from St Mary’s school in 1992, I continued my education at Saratoga Central Catholic moving onto Siena College graduating with a degree in English Literature with minors in Theater and Creative Arts in 2002.
My husband, Kevin, a partner at an accounting firm, and I met at Siena and were married at St Mary’s Church in 2006. After a decade in insurance and Human Resources, I had my first daughter, Giana, also an alumnus of St. Mary’s, and decided to stay home. Our family was complete when we welcomed Carlotta, a current first grader.
Besides being an enthusiastic volunteer at St Mary’s School, I love reading, baking and doing crafts. I am also a BIG Disney fan!
If you are new to the school, WELCOME!! If you are a veteran parent, I am sure you recognize the many changes happening in our school. One thing that won’t change: St. Mary’s PTO continuing to bring fun events to our families and school community.
I encourage everyone to join us during our monthly PTO meetings. There are plenty of ways to help and if you’re lucky like me, you can meet some awesome new friends.
Hilarie Patrizio, Vice President
Hi St. Mary's Families, I’m Hilarie Patrizio, PTO V.P. This is my 4th year here at St. Marys’ and I’m so excited for another year of St. Mary's PTO fun with our students and their families.
My husband Nick and I currently reside in Middle Grove, N.Y with our three children, Bradey (9), Jax (5) and Lylah (2). Bradey is currently in 4th Grade and Jax in Kindergarten. Lylah spends her days hanging out at home with me and waiting for her brothers to return home.
Prior to living in Middle Grove, I was born and raised in Clifton Park and was a graduate of Shenendehowa. After high school I worked a plethora of jobs all in the animal industry ranging from Kennel Technician, Dog Groomer, and as a Veterinary Assistant. I worked for Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital for over 10 years and have rescued and rehabilitated countless animals since then as well. Being that I was in the animal industry for SO long, we have, what I like to call, a small rescue of misfit animals here at home consisting of cats, dogs, a rabbit and chickens! While a piece of my heart will always be in animal medicine and rescue, I shifted gears in my early 30s to another passion now turned career and I am currently completing my bachelors in Elementary Education and hope to teach right here at St. Mary's school after I graduate.
During the week I am a stay at home Mom with a very long to-do list for all 3 kids but on the weekends and in our spare time, when we get to enjoy time as a family, we love hiking, camping, fishing, being at the lake, out on the boat with my parents as much as possible, skiing in the winter and anything that involves being outside! We love to travel and try to plan getaways as much as we can, but my favorite vacation to plan and take is by far DISNEY ( I’m a huge Disney Fanatic and try to go at least once a year; need planning tips & tricks…let me know!)
This year I am so excited to meet more of the St. Mary’s community, assist in the planning and putting on of some old and some new PTO events for St. Mary’s families and students, and really get involved in our small school with a BIG HEART! See you around St. Mary’s!
Danielle Dixon, Co-Secretary
I am a Capital District native, growing up in Guilderland, New York. I graduated from the University at Albany with a degree in English and previously worked in the corporate 401(k) sector for 11 years. When the company I worked for was acquired, I began working as a facility manager and case worker for individuals who had suffered traumatic brain injuries. Two years later, I decided to be a stay at home mom when my youngest daughter Teagan was born. This has proven to be my most rewarding “job” yet.
My husband David and I share three children; James, Gianna and Teagan. David is a partner and busy orthopedic surgeon with OrthoNY. We enjoy staying active and spending as much time as possible in all four seasons at our home in the Adirondacks; skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking and running. We also enjoy traveling and spending as much time with friends and family as possible. We love our small school with a big heart and I am happy to be a contributing member of the PTO.
Gabby Preston, Co-Treasurer
My name is Gabby Preston and I am this year’s PTO Treasurer. This is our second year at St. Mary’s and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of this school’s community.
My husband, Will and I, live in Glenville with our two boys - Theodore (4.5 years old), who is in Mrs. Smith’s Pre-K class, and Benjamin (2.5 years old) who hangs with mom during the day but wishes he was with his big brother at school!
I was born and raised in the Capital Region, attended Catholic elementary and high school (which is how I met my husband 21 years ago!) After high school, I attended Maria College and Utica College, where I obtained my Master’s in Occupational Therapy.
After graduation, my husband’s work brought us to Connecticut, which is where I started my career in OT. After getting married in 2015, my husband’s career serendipitously brought us back to the Capital Region.
The majority of my OT career was spent working with the brain injury population and other varying neurological diagnoses, both pediatrics and adults. After 10 years and the birth of our two boys, I decided to focus my attention more on my family and became a stay-at-home mom! I loved my OT career and know that I will be back at it someday in the future.
In my spare time I love hanging out with my family and friends, event planning and organization projects. I also enjoy working out and am in the process of completing my 2023 goal: run a 5k each month- 9/12 completed!
I am looking forward to meeting more people and getting involved in all of the festivities!
_JPG.jpg)
Michelle Goss, Member at Large
As a St. Mary’s Parishioner, I am proud to say that my daughter Sophia is a student here at St. Mary’s school.
I am a Registered Nurse, being in the field for over 30 years. My career has mostly been in Critical Care and an Operating Room Nurse for Cardiothoracic Surgery. Most recently I have taken on the role as the Nurse at Mohonasen High School. I love working and caring for my students.
My daughter Sophia has been a student of St. Mary’s since Pre-K. She is currently a fourth grader. She is also an altar server which she loves doing and helping others learn the role. She loves being a part of our little school with a big heart!
Besides volunteering my free time at St. Mary’s School, I love to bake for friends, read, garden and enjoy the outdoors with my girl.
I have served on the PTO for 5 years and am also a member of our School Board and Safety Committee. I have been very fortunate over the years to make some wonderful friends here at St. Mary’s.
Please consider joining us at our monthly PTO meetings or volunteering to help ensure that we continue to provide our children with the most exciting activities!
Pre-School
The SMS Pre-K program provides a nurturing environment for young learners, where children are encouraged to explore their interests, develop skills, and build relationships with peers and mentors, all while having fun!
Elementary Grades
K-5
St. Mary's School is proud to offer an exceptional elementary education for grades K-5. Our experienced faculty and rigorous curriculum are coupled with commitment to the values and traditions of our Catholic faith. Our students benefit from a top-notch educational experience tailored to meet their needs.
Student Life
At St. Mary's, learning is enriched by a vibrant student life with engaging activities and opportunities to grow spiritually, intellectually, culturally, and socially.
Elisabeth Hildenbrandt,
Co-Treasurer
I am so excited to be a part of the St. Mary’s community and share my knowledge with the PTO! I am a catholic school graduate of Kellenberg Memorial High School class of 2003, located in Uniondale, Long Island. I moved to the capital district in 2014 while I pursued my schooling in Emergency Services, and I am currently finishing my bachelor’s degree in Health Administration and Health Information Management.
I am a certified EMT, I teach CPR, first aid, and safe sitter courses and was named Basic Life Support provider of the year for 2023 for Saratoga County as well as the Capital District. I work throughout Saratoga County providing care with Community Emergency Corps, Clifton Park Halfmoon EMS, and Waterford Rescue Squad.
My husband, Christopher Hildenbrandt, works for Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory and we have 2 children. Christine, who was born prematurely in 2019, is a current Pre-K student, and my son Raymond was born a year later in 2020 and is in the current nursery class. My husband and I were happy to find St. Mary’s to continue the tradition of Catholic School excellence in education with our children.
I am so happy to be able to volunteer and give back to the Catholic School community that has always been a major part of my educational career. I look forward to being an active member of the PTO and meeting many of you at the fantastic events planned!
Brittany Abromaitis –Co-Secretary
This is our fourth year at St. Mary’s and my husband (Doug) and I have fallen in love with this small school with a big heart!
Doug is a St. Mary’s alumnus. Our son Wesley (6) is in first grade and our daughter Ainsley (4) is in preK. I’m a Cape Cod native and my husband is from Clifton Park, NY.
After college, I moved to Ballston Lake and have been captivated by the lakes and mountains (but still like visiting the beach).
I have been a registered nurse since 2012. I started my career on a busy med/surg floor but after a few years switched and fell in love with labor and delivery.
Currently, I work per diem for labor and delivery and per diem at an endoscopy center but try to spend at least a couple days home with my children.
When I’m not working, I love to bike, hike, kayak, camp, ski and travel. I’m looking forward to getting more involved at my children’s school and meeting more St. Mary’s families!