Date: Fri 05-Sep-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Donna-Deluca

Full Text:

SNAPSHOP FOR 9/5:

DONNA DELUCA

Occupation: Principal, St Rose School. This will be my third year at St Rose,

my second as school principal. During the 1995/96 school year, I served as

interim principal.

How long in Newtown: My husband, Mike, and I have lived here for 12 years,

since 1985.

Family: Our two boys are Christian, 15, who is a sophomore at Newtown High

School, and Matthew, 11, who is in the sixth grade here at St Rose. We also

have a foster daughter, Amanda, who is 23.

Pets: Christian is an animal lover, so we have a cat, Misty, to whom I am

severely allergic.

Hobbies: We have a power boat in Westbrook, which is on Long Island Sound

north of Madison and we just love going there. It's our refuge. Westbrook is a

small community and the marina there has lots for our kids to do besides just

boating.

I like to read when I have time. Anna Quindlen is one author and columnist I

enjoy, especially her novel Object Lessons.

Biggest change: I've seen such growth in Newtown's sports programs for kids -

like Pop Warner, baseball and basketball - and I think it's wonderful what

they do.

We need more playing fields, though. I believe they should purchase the Amaral

property, for one thing, and use it for recreation. I guess you could say I'm

biased because my husband has been a coach and volunteer, but I do believe

it's so important for the kids.

Personal philosophy: I am basically an optimistic person and I believe that

you should start every day with a fresh outlook. Don't get bogged down in

worries about what happened yesterday.

Here's a quote by Albert Einstein that I keep on my wall:

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity."