Occupation: I am a waitress at the Sandy Hook Diner, where I have worked for about the past ten years.

Family: My mom and dad live in Bridgewater, where I grew up. I have an older brother, Chris, who lives in Southbury.

Pets: I have two yellow labs that are my “children.” Tucker is 10 years old and Tessie is 2 years old. They keep me going.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I just moved to Sandy Hook the beginning of last July. Before that, I lived in Woodbury.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to go out with my friends and just relax and have good conversation. I love to read, and in the summertime I like to garden. I enjoy antiquing, too, in the area or up toward Great Barrington or in Pennsylvania. I collect antique clocks and antique garden tools.

Do you have a favorite author? I like Nicholas Sparks a lot and Jodi Picoult. Belva Plain is another favorite author of mine, and so is Fannie Flagg. I like books that just take you away and aren’t a chore to read.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? I love to ski, so in the winter I like to go up to Okemo in Vermont. In the summer, I like to go to coastal Maine, the York area. I kayak, so along the coast there is a good place to go.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The fact that everyone makes me feel so welcome here. The outpouring of support from people and the feeling that you’re a member of a big family is so huge.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would that be? I think for people to be more genuine and more kind to each other.

Do you have a personal philosophy? Be good to people. Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Ice cream, Ferris Farm ice cream. The cake batter flavor is to die for.