Interview With Kathi
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Port Chester, New York, on July 10, 1951.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Harrison, New York. My grandparents lived in Rye, so I spent a lot of time there as well.
Q: Where did you go to school/college?
A: I attended Harrison High School and graduated in 1969. I then went to Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, and also studied at the University of Dijon in France. I spent parts of my sophomore, junior, and senior years studying in France.
Q: Where and what was your first job?
A: My first job was at sixteen, working for the Harrison Recreation Department as a lifeguard and swim instructor. During the summer when I was in college, I became a pool director and swim team coach. My first full-time job was teaching French in Harrison in 1973.
Q: What is your earliest childhood memory?
A: Probably playing with kittens at my grandmother’s house when I was very young. I still have a thing for kittens.
Q: Who is one person who inspired you when you were younger?
A: My fourth-grade French teacher. We started learning French in fourth grade, and I absolutely adored her. After my first day of French class, I came home and announced that I was going to become a French teacher. I never changed my mind.
Q: How did you decide where to settle?
A: Before I got married, I interviewed for a job in Paris and probably would have taken it. My husband and I had grown up together and were part of the same group of friends. Around the time I went for the interview, he proposed, so I decided to stay. We first lived in Port Chester and later built a house in Harrison. We do not have children so we now live part of the year in Rye Brook and spend lots of the year in Florida.
Q: Is where you are in life today what you would have imagined for yourself when you were in high school?
A: I never really had specific expectations for what my life would look like. I was always happy with what I was doing. I loved teaching, my students, and skating. The only thing I really imagined was possibly moving to France one day.
Q: What do you feel has been your greatest achievement in life?
A: Earning my U.S. gold medal in ice dance. I had skated since I was four and competed in singles as a child before eventually beginning ice dancing. I continued competing into my thirties and earned my gold medal in 1990. I later became an international skating judge.
Q: Describe one of the best days you can remember.
A: March 25, 1990, when I earned my U.S. gold medal in ice dance. I had not thought I skated particularly well, so receiving the medal was an incredible surprise.
Q: What is one major event in your lifetime that stands out, either personal or global?
A: Winning my gold medal stands out. It was especially memorable because I did not think I had skated well that day. I remember telling my partner that I thought it had gone badly, so finding out that I had earned the medal was completely unexpected.
Q: Have you ever had to take a big risk or sacrifice in order to achieve your dreams and goals?
A: I would not say that I have. I thought about this question for a long time but could not really identify one major risk or sacrifice.
Q: How has technology changed your life?
A: I have never really liked technology. When computers and email were introduced at the school where I taught, I resisted using them as much as possible. I preferred parents to call me rather than email me, and I would call them back instead of responding electronically. Even when attendance moved onto computers, I preferred doing things on paper.
Q: What is one piece of technology that you wish you would have grown up with?
A: I really cannot think of one. I was happy without technology and was usually too busy skating to spend much time watching television.
Q: What is one piece of technology that you are happy you grew up without?
A: Computers and email, I like communicating directly with people instead of over the phone.
Q: What has been your biggest regret?
A: I really cannot think of one. I feel that I have lived a pretty charmed life. I grew up in a loving and supportive family, enjoyed my career, and have been fortunate with how things have worked out.
Q: What was the best piece of advice you have ever received?
A: Do not let other people influence you in a direction you do not want to go. Follow the direction that you believe is right for you.
Q: What advice would you offer me as I look toward college and building my own future?
A: Tune out the noise and figure out what is going to be best for you. Do not let other people influence you into making decisions that are not right for you.