Caliope Rohrbacher and Charles Robertson, third grade students at Frazier Park School, interviewed their principal, Mrs. Dena Kiouses for the school’s 2009 Yearbook.

Charles: Do you like history?
Kiouses: Yes, I think it teaches us many valuable lessons.

Caliope: Do you like being the principal at Frazier Park School?
Kiouses: I love being the principal.

Charles: What is it like being the principal?
Kiouses: It is amazing. It’s like being a rock star because when you walk onto campus, students say, “Mrs. Kiouses, Mrs. Kiouses!” I also am lucky to have a job where I get countless hugs everyday!

Caliope: What is your favorite animal?
Kiouses: I really like animals in general, but I like dogs the best.

Caliope: Do you have any kids?
Kiouses: Yes, we have four kids, one son and three daughters.

Charles: Does your family have any traditions?
Kiouses: Yes, we have several. Besides holiday traditions, I think we like Kiouses Family Vacation Day the best. It is going on vacation at your own house. During the summer, we take a day and we pretend like we are on vacation. We eat appetizers, make smoothies, and play games or just hang out together. We usually go to a movie and also go for dessert afterward. No one talks on the phone or uses the computer or watches TV. None of the kids have chores on that day and Mr. Kiouses and I only do the minimum. Now, our kids are grown, but they still like to have the Kiouses Family Vacation Day.

Caliope: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Kiouses: Chocolate chip cookie dough with lots of hot fudge on top!

Charles: What did you do when you were a third grader?
Kiouses: I really like to read! My first memory of loving to read is from third grade. I remember riding my bike to the library with my mom in third grade. I also remember having a math contest each week. On Fridays, all the third graders would be in one room and we would challenge other students. The teachers kept track of the students on a leader board. I always chose “division by eight” because I was the fastest at eights. I really practiced for Friday competitions.

Caliope: What is the best thing that ever happened to you?
Kiouses: That is so hard to answer. I have a wonderful life. I have an amazing family and a job that I love. I appreciate how very fortunate I am.

Charles: What do you want to do to this school later?
Kiouses: In the summer of 2010, we will start construction at Frazier Park School and El Tejon School. I’m really looking forward to it!

This is part of the May 29, 2009 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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