Age: 41

Occupation and title: Substitute teacher, Southampton County Public Schools; graduate student

Spouse’s name: Divorced

Children’s names and ages: Olivia, 15

Church affiliation: Undisclosed

What’s the best part of your day?

Picking up my daughter after school.

We have great conversations on the way home

If you could select another profession, what would you do?

Motivational speaker

Why do you choose to live in Franklin/Southampton/Isle of Wight County?

I was born in Southampton County, but my family moved away when I was still a toddler.

After serving most of my adult life in the military, I wanted to be closer to my family while I pursued my education.

If you had two weeks’ vacation and money were no object, how would you spend your time?

In Germany with my daughter.

I loved it when I was stationed there for four years while I served on active duty.

Favorite food: Seafood, especially fried crabs

Favorite weekend destination: The beach

Favorite college sports team:

None

Favorite pro sports team:

None

Favorite color:

Red

What’s the best life lesson you’ve learned, and who taught you?

My mother, Mary Artis-Phillpott, taught me that a person does not have to be “formally” educated to educate one’s children.

Favorite Bible verse: Biblical in its own way, I admire Nelson Melson’s quote: “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

What’s the best decision you’ve made in life? Becoming a parent.

Which local charitable or non-profit organization do you wish more people would support?

The Courtland Recreation Association, which is led by Maxine Darden Nowlin

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.

I served on active duty in the U.S. Army. I loved it so much that I reenlisted while I was pregnant (see photo).

What’s your hobby? Reading

If you could re-live one day of your life, which would it be and why?

Sept. 11, 2001.

Lives were changed forever that day.

People I worked with at the Pentagon died. I still miss them.

What gives you the blues? People who bring negative vibes

What’s the most Southern thing you’ve ever done? My grandfather, Arthur “Buddy” Hill Sr., was an avid hunter.

I was always willing to taste his “catches” that included squirrel and deer.

What’s your best childhood memory?

Visiting my grandparents on their farm in Southampton County and riding with my grandfather “Buddy” on his tractor.

Tell us one true thing.

Input equals output

What frightens you most? The status of our young people and if they are truly ready to become the world’s future leaders.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?

Italy.

I visited there several times when I was stationed in Germany.

I loved the people, weather and food.

Who’s your favorite ex-president?

Bill Clinton

If you could pass or change one law, what would it be?

We need tougher laws to protect our children from predators.

What last brought tears to your eyes? Aside from Sept. 11, 2001, the day of my daughter’s birth - when I heard her first cries

If you could invite three guests - living or dead, from anytime in history - to dinner, who would they be?

Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and Mother Teresa

What three objects would you take with you to a desert island?

A good book, my daughter’s childhood memory book and a cool glass of lemonade

What kind of music do you like, and who’s your favorite performer?

A variety of music, but especially gospel.

I often listen to Oleta Adams

Tell us about a good movie you’ve seen lately and why you liked it.

“Freedom Writers.”

I loved this movie because it showed how one dedicated teacher positively impacted so many young lives.

Who’s a famous athlete or entertainer you admire?

Tennis great Roger Federer because he is so calm and cool under pressure

What’s the last book you read?

Summer of My German Soldier.

I read it many times as a teenager, but every now and then I read it again.

To whom are you grateful and why?

My mother, Mary Artis-Phillpott, because she set high standards for her children and refused to accept less than our best.