The 2025-26 school year brought a new way for families, staff, alumni, and community members to connect with and support Tennessee High School.
Vikings United launched this year as Tennessee High’s new schoolwide support organization, created to replace the traditional PTA model and better reflect what the group hopes to do: bring people together, strengthen school culture, and support students and staff in meaningful, practical ways.
“Our goal is to unite the Tennessee High community, including teachers, students, parents, and friends of the school, with the purpose of promoting culture, community, and fundraising,” said Vikings United President Molly Zaidi.
Why Vikings United was created
Vikings United grew from conversations among parents and school leadership about how to best support Tennessee High without sending membership dues to a national organization.
As Nicole Hughes, who leads Vikings United communications and social media, explained, the previous model required annual membership fees, and only a small portion of those funds returned directly to the school. Vikings United was created to ensure that support stays local and is clearly tied to the needs of Tennessee High students and staff.
Just as importantly, the name and structure were intentionally designed to be more welcoming.
“By taking ‘parent’ and ‘teacher’ out of the name, it feels less outdated and more inclusive,” Hughes said. “We want people to know: if you care about Tennessee High, you belong here.”
One voice for the whole school
A central goal of Vikings United is to help connect and support the many groups that make up Tennessee High, including academics, the arts, athletics, clubs, and more, so the school community isn’t operating in isolated silos.
The organization is led by a 12-member board and works in close partnership with Tennessee High administration and staff. That ongoing communication helps Vikings United focus on what the school needs most, whether that’s supporting teacher appreciation efforts or stepping in to help make student experiences possible.
What Vikings United has done so far
Although this is its first year, Vikings United has already moved quickly from planning to action. Early efforts have focused on supporting staff, building community, and enhancing student experiences, including:
Teacher appreciation initiatives throughout the year, including breakfasts and lunches
Back-to-school treats and ongoing support items for staff
Student giveaways and prize support when the school is running low on items
Support for schoolwide events that build community and school spirit
Help making student experiences possible, including support connected to dances and other student traditions
Zaidi shared that one of the most encouraging changes this year has been increased participation with more people volunteering, donating, and stepping in to help when a need is shared.
“It can feel like a wall goes up when your child moves to middle school and especially high school,” she said. “We want to make it easier to be involved, in a way that feels positive and approachable.”
A major, multi-year focus: the Hygiene Room
One of Vikings United’s biggest ongoing initiatives is supporting improvements to Tennessee High’s Hygiene Room, an important resource that helps students access essential items with dignity.
The vision is to transform the space into a more welcoming, student-friendly storefront environment where students can discreetly get what they need, whether that’s hygiene products, clothing, or a warm sweatshirt on a cold day. Plans include improving the physical space and better organizing the system for donations and access.
“It’s about creating a place that feels respectful and supportive,” Zaidi said. “Students should be able to walk in and get what they need without feeling embarrassed.”
Students are also being included in the process, helping generate ideas even contributing to discussions around naming and branding the updated space.
“If you care about Tennessee High, you can be part of this.”
Both Zaidi and Hughes emphasized that Vikings United is designed to include everyone—not only parents of current students.
Families, staff, alumni, and community partners can support in whatever way makes sense for them:
Join as a member
Volunteer for events or donations as needs arise
Donate items (such as food for staff appreciation, student giveaway items, or hygiene room supplies)
Partner as a business or alumni supporter
Looking ahead, Vikings United also hopes to grow alumni engagement and explore scholarship opportunities that connect donors with students’ unique interests and career paths, creating support that feels personal and community-driven.
How to get involved
Vikings United shares updates, volunteer needs, and ongoing projects through its social media channels and member communications. If you are interested in joining, volunteering, donating, or partnering, follow Vikings United on Facebook or Instagram and watch for membership and meeting information.
As the organization continues to grow, leaders say the message is simple:
You don’t have to have a title or a lot of time to make a difference.
“If you can bring bagels, you can help,” Zaidi said. “And if you have ideas about areas that aren’t being served, tell us. We may not know unless someone speaks up.”