meet the 2025-2026 SMS PTA executive committee 


Gina Chon, President:

My husband and I have three children—Ethan (Butler 8), Owen (4th grade at Edgewood), and Evelyn (3rd grade at Edgewood)—and we’ve lived in Scarsdale for nine years. I work full-time managing investments for a family office and foundation, and I also enjoy being involved in my children’s schools.  At Edgewood, I’ve served as Chair of the After School Clubs, a member of the Executive and Nominating Committees, and as class parent for many years. I’m excited to continue serving on the SMS Executive Committee this year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea Vallenilla, President-Elect:

I have lived in Scarsdale since 2015 and have been actively involved in the Edgewood School PTA. My roles have included PTA president, 5th grade chair, and library committee chair. I have two kids, Diego will be in Cooper 6 and Elena will be in 4th grade at Edgewood. I enjoy volunteering and being an involved member of this wonderful community!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zhendi Shi, Treasurer:

I have been a Scarsdale resident since 2014. I have a rising senior in SHS and a rising 8th grader in SMS. I’m a certified project manager and enjoy planning family trips. 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Rubino, Secretary:

 

My husband and I moved to Scarsdale in 2015 and have two children: Ethan (Popham 7) and Jordan (4th grade at Quaker Ridge). I’ve held a variety of PTA/PTC roles during my time here. At Quaker Ridge I’ve been Community Service Co-Chair, ASC and PTA Treasurer, and am currently a Book Fair Co-Chair. For PTC, I’ve been a 5th Grade Chair and Young Writers Workshop Co-Chair and am currently a Community Calendar Co-Chair. Beyond volunteering, I’m a freelance copywriter and editor and love being active and spending time with friends and family. I’m excited to be part of the EC and involved in SMS this year! 

 

Esthela Leucuona, VP of Hospitality:

My family and I moved to Scarsdale back in 2018. Since then, we have met wonderful and kind people from around all of the five neighborhoods. I am a stay home mom of my kids, Victoria (12th), Mercedes (9th), and Laz (Fountain 7) and the official walker of Sherlock and Watson, both  loud and naughty beagles. I've been volunteering since we moved here in different committees ranging from the 100 years anniversary of Edgewood School to being PTA DEI Co Chair at SMS and Greenacres School. At Greenacres School, I was also part of the Compact, Multicultural and fifth grade committees. Additionally, I was also a volunteer in the school's fair, color run, and plays. What I have enjoyed the most, has been volunteering in multicultural events, bringing my Mexican culture and food for the delight of the school administrators, teachers, parents and students within the school district. I am honored to be part of the EC Committee this year. Please feel free to always reach out.


Amanda Glattstein, VP of Membership and Student Directory:

My husband and I have lived in Scarsdale for 10 years. We have two children—Winnie (Popham 7) and Charlie (5th grade at Quaker Ridge). I love being involved in all things PTA/PTC.  Last year I dipped my toes in at SMS by running the Membership Toolkit website. At Quaker Ridge, I've served as Community Service Co-Chair, EC member overseeing After School Clubs, Webmaster (for too many years to acknowledge) and School Play Co-Chair.  For the PTC, I have been a Young Writers Workshop Co-Chair, After School Clubs PTC representative and maintain the PTC webpages on the district site. In addition to being on several nominating committees and class parent for many years. I’m excited to serve on the SMS EC committee and continue to add value where I can.

 

Erica Papir, VP of Programming:

My husband and I moved to Heathcote in June 2018 when Nolan was starting Kindergarten and Charlotte was entering 4th grade. Now, Nolan is in Cooper 7 and Charlotte is a junior at Scarsdale High School. I loved being an active member of the Heathcote PTA - among other things, I was Co-Chair of the Wellness Committee and Co-Chair of the 5th Grade Community Service Committee. I was also a Class Parent multiple times. Over the years, I volunteered for a number of other PTA events: the book fair, teacher appreciation week, pizza days, etc. I am very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the PTA at SMS again - my first go-round with Charlotte was during the height of the pandemic, but I was still lucky enough to volunteer and chair a class social. This year, I will also be on the Compact Committee at both SMS and SHS, and on the Wellness Committee at SHS. I work part-time for an educational consulting company called Smart City Kids, I am active with a local non-profit called Friends of Karen, and volunteer weekly at a food pantry. I also love to exercise and take our three-year-old cavapoo, Piper, for walks. I am excited to be on the PTA EC again this year!