Hollar hones her craft; named LAE “Hero of the Heart”

By Meagan Clements

Imagine relaxing in a cozy hammock that is anchored to a lanky, green palm tree.
Tempered by trade winds, Grenada, a tropical island off the coast of Venezuela is where PTA president Brittany Hollar of Los Alamitos Elementary (LAE) School celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary. Hollar won the trip after appearing on a 2016 episode of The Price is Right.

“It was amazing,” Hollar gushed, relieving the moment. “It was really fun because all of the PTA moms knew I was going on [the show].”

Hollar is proud to have been named Hero of the Heart for 2021. Despite the achievement, she remains humble, smiling at the many faces she encounters on LAE’s campus.

“The kids always ask me at school, ‘well, you work here, right?’ and I’m like, ‘no, I don’t work here. I just volunteer all the time,’” Hollar laughed.

Hollar has devoted countless hours to improving the lives of students, faculty and staff. Her dedication to serve others isn’t forgotten, even while she is out running errands on a Saturday.

“In the grocery store, [kids] will be like, ‘that’s the LAE lady’ which I think is so funny,” Hollar said.

Hollar is blessed to be a stay-at-home mom, providing what she can for the LAE community despite the devastating Coronavirus pandemic. It’s been a challenge hosting meetings on Zoom and reducing the number of hours she is allowed on campus. Still, she is optimistic about what’s possible as her team heals mentally and emotionally.

“My role is just to help in any place where it needs help,” Hollar said

Hollar often takes pictures during LAE events — pre-pandemic of course — sending them to working parents who are unable to attend. She goes to great lengths, capturing specific children in each photo.

“I enjoy being the person [parents] can count on,” Hollar said.
Hollar offers support for more than just parents. She is resourceful, organized, and most importantly, level-headed.

“All of the teachers know that they can email me or ask me what’s happening on campus,” Hollar said. “If I don’t know the exact answer, I know who to ask or how to get them in touch with the correct person.”

Hollar never underestimates the power of simple actions which leave lasting impressions. She uses technology as a means of reaching out to encourage those in need.

“[It helps to send] a little email saying, ‘hey teachers, you guys are doing amazing. We wish that we could do more for you but just know that we are thinking of you and we appreciate all of your work,” Hollar said.

Gary Willems, principal of Los Alamitos Elementary School, commended Hollar’s efforts at reaching the masses through her selflessness and generosity. During a board meeting this month, Willems prepared a powerful and moving speech.

“She goes out of her way not just for her kids but for every kid,” Willems said. He applauded the countless hours Hollar has devoted to LAE, adding with a chuckle, “Brittany is like having a free, full-time employee.”

Board president Marlys Davidson chimed in, arguing that parent involvement is what makes a community great.

“It’s the uniqueness of [Hollar’s] commitment that really brings love to the campus,” Davidson said.

Willems was unable to list each of Hollar’s achievements in his speech, condensing an already long list for the sake of time.

“If I were to list everything she has done, the board meeting would be another four hours,” Willems said jokingly.

Although Hollar graciously received her Hero of the Heart award, she didn’t shy away from returning the compliments.

“It’s just a breath of fresh air,” Hollar said of Willems’ dedication to serve others. “Mr. Willems wants what’s best for the kids. He makes the campus feel more like a family.”

Four years ago, Hollar used her role as PTA president to help Willems transition to principal of LAE.

“[I kept] lines of communication open,” Hollar said.

Willems agreed, sharing how Hollar’s open and honest communication helped the community at large.

“Brittany hasn’t just helped the students, parents and teachers at LAE. She’s also helped me,” Willems said. “When I took over as principal, I wanted to build our community and bring the LAE families together. I couldn’t have done this without [her].”
Hollar’s service-oriented mentality has become the catalyst for her growth as a wife, mother and volunteer. She sets aside her own personal needs to meet the needs of others, doing it all without complaint and with a smile on her face.

“I try to keep in constant contact with Mr. Willems and ask him if there’s anything that [the PTA] can do to support the school,” Hollar said. “This year is different [because of the pandemic] and there isn’t much that we can do.”

She encourages her children to look on the bright side, viewing life through a rose-colored lens and drinking from a glass that is almost always half-full.

“My son Jameson is a fifth grader and there’s so many things that he doesn’t get to do,” Hollar said. “[I tell him], ‘look, this is a situation that we’ve never had, so the fact that you get to be in school — hybrid model — [is awesome]. Be happy that you get to see at least half of your friends.”

Hollar also has a fourth grader named Brady. She soaks in a little extra peace and quiet, making the most of opportunities to lend a helping hand.

“You go back to a sense of simplicity and innocence, “Hollar said. “The little things mean so much these days. It’s just the little email or the little text [saying], ‘you’re doing great,’ that matter more than they used to.”

Hollar insists her dedication to serve is out of love for her children and the LAE community.
“I [volunteer] because I like it, not because I’m getting an award,” Hollar said, adding, “when I was younger, I wanted all of the awards. Now I realize it’s not about the awards.

It’s really just about [being] perceived as a good person.”

In addition to volunteering, Hollar finds joy in musical theatre, spends time bonding with her husband and children and is always up for for a delicious brunch with her closest friends.

Brittany Hollar may have won a relaxing getaway to the island of Grenada in 2016 but the mother of two isn’t relaxing anytime soon. Hollar’s support is needed now, more than ever, as she strives to unite her LAE community.

She is busy igniting a passion within students, faculty, staff and parents as they push past the pandemic, looking to the future with an optimistic attitude and an air of independence.