Occupation: I’m the Central Office secretary for the Board of Education.

Family: My husband is Patrick. Our son, Sean, is a freshman at Eastern State University, and our daughter, Katie, is a junior at Newtown High School.

Pets: I have two cats, Lucy and Ethel. They’re siblings that we adopted from friends, and are half-Siamese.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I grew up here in Newtown, on Grand Place, and we still live in town. Patrick grew up here, too.

What do you like to do in your free time? I spend a lot of time going to our daughter’s sports events. Katie plays basketball, softball, and runs cross country. I love to shop, and I do read some.

What are you reading now? I’m just starting The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, and I’m excited to read it.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? We love to go on cruises with my extended family. Our next cruise will be after Christmas, to the Caribbean, and it’s the first time my mother will go with us. And every summer, my family and my brother’s family all go to Hershey Park, Penn. We have so much fun.

What is the best thing about Newtown? It’s a great place to raise your children. I love everything about Newtown. I love the flagpole in the middle of the street.

What is the biggest change you have seen in town? How everything is so developed now. I used to drive home and see cows grazing off of Castle Hill, where there are homes now. I miss the ruralness.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? I have to say my parents. My mom still lives in Newtown, but my dad passed away last August. They were hardworking, honest, dependable, and compassionate. They always gave me great advice and have always been there to help me. Whatever I wanted to do, they supported me. They taught me and my siblings to love each other. Family is very important.

Do you have a personal philosophy? I have a whole book quotes I keep. Two quotes I absolutely love, though, are “Let your smile change the world, but never let the world change your smile,” and “There are blessings every day. Find them. Create them. Treasure them.”

Do you have a guilty pleasure? My favorite thing is Starbucks. I like the chai latte. It’s my absolute favorite. My dad always used to worry about how much I spent there!