Our Team | Student Leaders at Lace Up For Kids

Meet The Team

At Lace Up For Kids, we’re driven by a shared commitment to supporting children and families in need. Our team is led by passionate student leaders who combine service, creativity, and community engagement to create meaningful impact.

Shane Tandler

Founder & Director

Shane is a senior at Guilford High School (GHS) who founded Lace Up For Kids, driven by his passion for making a positive difference in children’s lives. Through working as a Mathnasium tutor and as an instructor at Calvin Leete Elementary School, he discovered the joy of helping young minds learn and grow. Shane created Lace Up For Kids to expand his impact beyond the classroom. Shane was influenced by the mission of the Ronald McDonald House from a young age, when he & his family helped cook meals for residents in the New Haven House. He currently serves on the Teen Board of RMH CTMA and was inspired to bring fundraising efforts and awareness more locally to his hometown. Ever since then, he has strived to have the positive impact in his community that he knows is possible.

Conor Farrell

Chief Operating Officer

Zach Milano

Chief Development Officer

Noelle Petroski

Co-Chair of Wilton Chapter

Kiera Mahoney

Co-Chair of Wilton Chapter

Conor is a senior at GHS dedicated to supporting children and families through purposeful and effective service. His volunteer work, including a Pilgrim Fellowship service trip, taught him the importance of inclusivity and strong communication in building meaningful community connections. Conor joined Lace Up For Kids to collaborate with his peers and help create real, measurable change for children in need.

Zach is a senior at GHS who plays tennis, is Class of 2027 Co-President, and looking to expand his charitable actions through Lace Up For Kids. He sees Lace Up For Kids as an important movement for assisting RMHC in providing housing for sick children and supporting families during medical crisis.

Noelle is a junior at Wilton High School and a dedicated track athlete who carries a deep passion for helping others. She is all about giving back to her community and making a difference through meaningful initiatives. Through her involvement in Wilton, she helps get people involved and spreads the word about sustainability and support efforts. She joined Lace Up For Kids because she believes small actions, such as donating a single pair of shoes, can create a big impact.

Kiera is a junior at Wilton High School and a member of the girls track team. She is passionate about giving back and believes that even a single pair of donated shoes can make a meaningful difference for children and families in need. Through her involvement with Lace Up For Kids, Kiera hopes to make a positive impact in her community.

Our Community Ambassadors

Our Community Ambassadors play a vital role in expanding our mission and connecting with families across the region. They bring unique skills, energy, and enthusiasm to every project.

Wylie Armster

Wylie is a senior at GHS with a passion for secondhand clothing and a strong commitment to helping those in need. He joined Lace Up for Kids because he believes in doing everything possible as a community to support those less fortunate. In addition to this work, he is actively involved in Guilford’s Youth Advisory Group and the Pilgrim Fellowship group.

Ben Adams

Ben is a sophomore at GHS who is deeply committed to giving back. Inspired by the work of the Ronald McDonald House, he enjoys being involved in sustainability and sneaker-recycling initiatives that help reduce waste while supporting a meaningful cause.

Grant Davis

Grant is a senior at GHS. He loves to pursue his athletic interests in lacrosse and has been looking for an opportunity to volunteer in his community. He joined Lace Up For Kids as an avenue to collaborate with his friends and to increase his involvement in charitable efforts.

Michael Haar

Michael is a senior at GHS who enjoys soccer and plays on the school varsity team. He is a member of Pilgrim Fellowship, a local youth group dedicated to community service and volunteering, and sees Lace Up For Kids as an opportunity to continue giving back. With the group, he hopes to help expand the organization to assist the less fortunate and inspire charitable efforts locally.

Kieran Keefe

Kieran is a senior at GHS and an avid soccer player. He’s passionate about giving back to the community and is always looking for new ways to serve his community. Kieran loves teaming up with friends to make a positive impact—while having fun along the way.

Luke Mehring

Luke is a senior at GHS who is motivated to give back to his hometown and community. With the help of Lace Up For Kids, he works to create a positive impact on the environment while helping families in need through RMH. He is an active leader in the Pilgrim Fellowship program, which catalyzes his desire to help those around him. He aims to benefit his community throughout his life and sees Lace Up For Kids as somewhere to begin this journey.

Indy Pelliccio

Indy is a senior at GHS who works with the Guilford Indoor/Outdoor Track Team to raise awareness and support for our cause at Lace Up for Kids. Through her work teaching fashion design courses at Calvin Leete Elementary School and extended community service through Pilgrim Fellowship, she shows her passion for getting involved in the greater community and helping children to thrive.

Eva Klopotek

Eva is a senior at GHS and an IB Diploma student. As a cellist in the symphony orchestra and an active member of the GHSTA, she values creativity, collaboration, and leadership. Through her work as a sailing instructor along with other service initiatives, Eva has developed a strong appreciation for mentorship. She joined Lace Up For Kids to help create lasting change for children and families in need while working alongside her peers to make a positive impact in the community.

Cade Rinehart

Cade is a senior at GHS who is dedicated to making a positive impact in his community. He's especially inspired by service organizations that support families in need, and is excited to work with RMHC to give back. Cade is also passionate about supporting nonprofits focused on reducing waste and repurposing goods to better the community.

Pierson Schlagheck

Pierson is a senior with interests in digital marketing and making genuine impacts in his community. A longtime volunteer at local soup kitchens and a contributor to many food drives, Pierson has extensive firsthand experience assisting people in need. Pierson was inspired to join Lace Up For Kids to continue his efforts in providing for disadvantaged children and has large aspirations for the expansion of the organization.

Owen Stoddard

Owen is a senior at GHS with a talent for creating visual content. He uses design and storytelling to communicate our mission and connect with the community through compelling graphics, branding, and meaningful digital engagement online. His creativity helps strengthen our message and keep our visuals consistent and engaging.

Lewis Thoreen

Lewis is a senior at GHS and a competitive runner who cares about supporting those in need. He’s passionate about recycling shoes and getting them to communities that can use them. Lewis joined Lace Up For Kids because he believes awareness is the first step toward impact. To him, even one pair of shoes can make meaningful change.

Make a Difference Today!

Your support helps families stay close during medical challenges. Join us through donations, sneaker recycling, or volunteering.