A Moment with Christine Mercadante

No doubt you’ve spotted her in town.

She’s the constant ball of energy running into the for an iced tea, or down the hallways of on a mission, or even down Main Street in good weather for a jog.

Most recently, Chris Mercadante glided around the Suffield Foundation for Excellent Schools' (SFES) Charity Auction as vice president and event organizer, assuring the night went off without a hitch.

Her energy is inspiring, her wide smile and deep laugh contagious.

Mercadante, a self-proclaimed Jersey Girl, lives in Suffield with children Alanna, 8, Christian, 11, and husband Steve.

Her passion for her children leads her to volunteer at school, for SFES and even coach her kids' sports teams.

Ask anyone who knows her and they’ll tell you she gives more than 100 percent to everything she dives into.

“I have a thirst for information,” she explained. “My brain wants more. I love the challenge of learning something new. I love to read. I have to be reading all the time.”

The knowledge sticks, like a sponge, and no matter what the topic she can jump into any conversation about history, politics, world events and education policy. She’s fluent in French, too.

A pianist in her downtime, she uses the music to relax.

She also finds comfort in the garden, growing her own herbs, and in kitchen.

“I find tremendous peace there… I’m passionate about food," she said. "I love cooking."

Her gourmet cookbooks inspire her so much she’s often known for sending home a friend with one of her casseroles.

“I’m very tactile,” she explained. “I love to roll the dough. I like to chop.”

She even studied computer engineering in college (along with biology and criminal justice) to “get my fingers on the keys," she said.

Ask her where she gets her energy and passion and she’ll tell you.

“My faith is very important to me,” said Mercadante. “It’s a driving force in my life.”