Occupation: I work alongside my husband at his business NJK Automotive (Sunoco) LLC, 75 South Main Street in Newtown; as an account manager at SKM Motorsports LLC; and as a managing partner at SGV Properties.

Family: My husband Nick and I have been married for 28 years. We have three boys. Nicholas, 26, is a CNC machinist and also races motocross throughout New England with NESC and NEMX. Stephen, 24, is a machinist by trade. He runs his own business building and fabricating race cars for many of the top competitors throughout the east coast. He is also a crew chief on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour as well as the Monaco Tri Track Series. He also runs the weekly division at Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway. Jonathan, 16, is a sophomore at Newtown High School. He also works locally at Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market while studying for his driver’s license.

Pets: Currently we have two beagles, four cats, and two guinea pigs.

How long have you lived in Newtown? My husband and I have lived in Newtown for almost 30 years. We both grew up in Monroe.

What do you like to do in your free time? Racing starts in February at New Smyrna Beach Florida Speedweek and briefly wraps up in the beginning of November, but when I do find the time I enjoy working in my yard and tending to my flowers, as well as floating in my pool on hot summer days. I really enjoy the outdoors. It is my serenity.

What is your favorite book? I mostly read current events.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I am vice president and participant coordinator for the Newtown Labor Day Parade. We have a wonderful committee looking forward to carrying on this time-honored tradition. When my children were younger I was a religious education instructor at St Rose in Newtown. I was also very involved in their school classrooms throughout their school-aged years. For the past three years, I’ve taught religious education in Easton for my niece. I help out where I can in a few different areas but tend to fly under the radar. I was never one for the spotlight.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? My entire family. I come from strong, hardworking roots. My husband and I work together daily. It is important to build one another up while balancing work and home life.

If you could spend the day with one person who would it be and why? It sounds cliché, but my grandparents passed away when I was younger, and I would love to go back in time to see the world through their eyes.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? Life isn’t about waiting for the wind to change, it’s learning to adjust your sails. Face challenges head on or you will never know what you might have missed out on. Also, perception is two thirds imagination.

What is something you cannot live without? Love, hope, imagination, and determination.

What is your proudest accomplishment? My three boys. Also, being self–employed alongside my husband for 29 plus years. We have formed many long-lasting friendships with our customers who have become like family to us.

What is a tradition your family does that is important to you? The week before Christmas my family gathers at my house to make homemade perogies to prepare for our traditional Christmas Eve Gathering. We laugh, we sing, sometimes we yell and complain, but when we are all sitting together at the table on Christmas Eve we beam with unspoken pride of accomplishment that we have carried over the tradition from many generations ago.