Anyone with a student at J.L.LongMiddle School has probably seen the diminutive, yet energetic figure of Maria Luna, racing from one volunteer assignment to the next.

The 2007-08 J.L. Long PTA president has been a fixture at the school since the early 1990s, years before her two daughters attended the school. Her daughter Jessica is still at the school, while Lauren has moved to WoodrowWilsonHigh School.

The Virginia native volunteers as many as 40 hours per week at the middle school.

“We live in a community that needs everyone to help,” Luna said. “In order to make anything better, you need volunteer hours.”

Over the past year, the focus of her PTA presidency was bridging the communication gap between English-speaking and non-English-speaking parents at the school. The school newsletter is translated into Spanish, as well as fliers with information about J.L. Long events. The fliers were handed out to local churches, civic centers and grocery stores.

Also, she said that the PTA worked harder in building relationships with feeder schools.

In October the school hosted a family night. Where most events would only attract 50 or so students and parents, this one brought in more than 450 people.

“We are always looking for new ways to engage people in their child’s education,” she said.

Other volunteer activities she’s been involved with include ongoing efforts to upkeep the building, including painting the cafeteria and renovating the teacher’s lounge.

“At public school our goal is to bridge the gap between the money that we get from the district and doing what it takes to make sure that the students succeed,” Luna said.

When she’s not volunteering at the school Luna focuses on her construction design consultant business, where she does everything from consulting on what kinds of paint to use to building houses.

In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, traveling and renovating old homes.

“We want people to take ownership of the school,” she said.

For information on how to volunteer at J.L.LongMiddle School, call the school at 972-502-4700.