Hello, I would like to introduce myself. Let me begin to tell you about the things that are
important to me such as my family, my education, my community involvement, my
interests and accomplishments; but most importantly, what I bring to the table.
I am a second generation Italian American whose family came to this country through
Ellis Island. I am the first in my family to get a college education; and I am the first on
both sides of my family to be awarded a Doctoral degree. My father’s family settled in
Brooklyn, New York and my mother’s family in Paterson, New Jersey where I grew up.
Like any other kid, I had the attention of my whole family. I didn’t get every toy ever
created, but I could not say I wanted for anything. My parents took us on regular
vacations, and had a very good relationship with all my cousins. When I graduated
Fairleigh Dickinson, my aunt and uncle took me to Italy where I fully understood the
culture I came from.
After graduation, I had some decisions to make. My family, especially my father,
sheltered my existence. But now, a college grad, I really knew nothing of the world and
would have to learn about it sometime. So, my family used the term ‘ran away with the
circus’. Actually, I toured with children’s theatre traveling this country and met its
people. My experience in community activity began with my mentor and friend, Ruth
Hersberg. Through her, I was actively involved starting as a Commissioner of
Recreation and working with at risk teens, then with a few dedicated individuals, worked
with community organizations helping them organize and develop their own
neighborhood programs. I was honored as Woman of the Year in Paterson receiving
citations from City, County, State, and Congress. I participated in activities such as
national community events; worked on a Clean Sweep program with neighborhood kids,
tutored, and often ran after our kids who were one step out of reach of the police. I also
became active in church organizations as a religious instructor. My community service
includes volunteer ambulance service, critical incident debriefing, and helping my
neighbors find jobs.
When I finally had enough of traveling, it was time to find a real job. I enrolled in a
school for computer programming. That only peaked my interest. I wanted to know
more and more. Today, computers are an important part of my life. It is the way I
communicate, do research, write, and learn the technology of the 21st century. Most of
what I do requires the computer. Besides the computer, I love to sew. My grandmother
started me sewing when I was 5. I got pretty good at it and even was able to sew for a
show on Broadway. Now, I just sew for me. I crochet and knit prayer shawls and hats
for church groups, and sometimes things for family. I love to take pictures. Our
cameras do some good work making it fun to create shots for background used for
other projects. On top of all that, I found I like to cook!
My accomplishments have not all ended in success, and it was not for the lack of trying.
The first knock down is the hardest. After that, you just get up, dust yourself off, and try
again. I learned never give up, if it is important to you.
My writing started in high school. I always enjoyed reading and with the encouragement of some teachers, I started putting my ideas down on paper. Those early works were called my diary. I graduated to a notebook and often tore up what I wrote for fear of
someone actually reading what I wrote. After graduating college, I decided I would take courses that were enjoyable for me. SO, I enrolled in a program writing children’s literature. My final project was a short version of what would become my first children’s book many years later. Secrets Under the Apple Tree was a final project for the program. My instructor encouraged me to add more, break it into chapters and submit it for publication. Fearing rejection, I waited until now. I did sign up for the second part of the writing course, but the instructor and I could not agree on many things including my writing style. But, my writing style was good enough for my school papers and research. Much of the research I worked on has been accepted not only nationwide but has reached European shores. I was accepted as a correspondent for a newsletter coming out of England targeting college and university deans and presidents. Some of the research I developed served as a foundation for an organization examining experiential learning. My most recent research project looked at success rates for students in for-profit colleges and universities. That research has been published on a world-wide scale.
So, why write stories for children? Simple fact is I enjoy it. And I enjoy writing. So, for
now, I think I will sit in front of my computer looking at the multitude of notes for story
possibilities and seeing what I can develop next.
