Kathy Zupan is a Northern Virginia native and George Mason University alumnus whose actions in the community take her from sponsoring Lake Braddock Secondary School's Asian American Students Association to soccer coaching to the Safe & Drug Free Youth program. Zupan, who lives in Burke, was recently named Lady Fairfax for the Springfield District of Fairfax County. She is this week's People Profile.
Number of years in the community: Native, born in Alexandria.
Family: Husband, Michael L. Zupan; son, Matt Zupan, 17, senior at Lake Braddock; daughter, Tori Zupan, 14, freshman at Thomas Jefferson.
Education: Juris doctorate from George Mason University; M.B.A. from George Washington University; B.S. from George Mason University.
Your first job: Administrative aid at father's government contracting agency, JWK International Corporation, in Annandale.
Current job/primary occupation: Domestic engineer (stay-at-home mother).
Activities/interests/hobbies? My primary activities at this part of my life's journey focuses on my children, Matt and Tori, and the general well-being of the youth of our community, through coaching soccer; Safe & Drug Free Youth sponsored activities; being club sponsor for the LB Asian American Students Association; being team mother for the Lake Braddock football program, etc. In my leisure time I enjoy good food, movies of all genres and traveling.
Favorite local restaurant or place in the community? Glory Days, Hunan East, Papa Johns, Burke Sporting Goods, Total Crafts and Einstein Bagels — all sponsors of Lake Braddock youth activities.
What are your community concerns? What are some ideas you have on ways to improve your community? My community concern is for our youth. They are our future. Communicating and listening to our youths' needs and frustrations, their goals, desires and dreams are important to me. Motivating them and educating them so they can make the right life decisions is one of my goals and should be part of every adult's agenda. How do we improve this? Get involved! Take time to listen to you child. Know what they are doing. This all starts in the home.
What is the last movie you watched? Just saw "2 Fast, 2 Furious: Tokyo Drift."
What brought you here? Or rather, what's kept me here? The four seasons, family, good education, plenty to do and see here.
What community "hidden treasure" do you think more people should know about? I think this depends upon the age of the participant. Growing up, my children enjoyed Burke Lake Park's carousel, train ride, feeding the ducks, and hiking through the woods (now there's miniature golf there). I think a hidden treasure that the general community does not take advantage of are our local high school athletic events and competitions; theater productions; and concerts. They are not expensive and all very well done. Within a three- to five-mile radius you have Lake Braddock, Robinson, and West Springfield high schools to take advantage of.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you "grew up?" I wanted to be a lawyer, but I also wanted to be a stay-at-home mother.
If you were to take a road trip anywhere right now, where would you go? I would like to do what a dear friend of mine, Gail Fialkow, and her family did: get a mobile home, see all of the United States and even our neighboring countries for 12 months!
Personal goals? Keep in touch with my best friend, my husband, and continue to do the things we love to do together; nurture my children so that they become happy, productive adults; and to try to make a difference to those I meet daily whether it's by simply saying hello or holding a door open for them.