1. What is your name, which TSD schools did you attend, and what year did you graduate?
Deanna C. (Perrine) Sloat, St. John’s Catholic School, Conrad Ball Junior High School, Loveland High School. I graduated in 1991.
2. What have you been doing since graduation, and what is your proudest accomplishment?
I worked in banking for 30 years and now I work for the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. I would say my greatest accomplishment is being able to connect with so many people. The role I am in now at the Chamber of Commerce is perfect for me as a connector.
3. What is your best memory of school?
My best memory was working on the yearbook committee for 1989, 1990 and 1991; deadlines and photographs working behind the scenes to get the yearbook ready.
4. What was your biggest challenge during school?
I sure wish they had Geometry in Construction when I was in school. I would have learned a trade and been able to pass and understand geometry.
5. What do you know now that you wish your younger self had known?
Have confidence and believe in yourself.
6. What advice would you give to students in school now?
Put in the work now. You may seem bored or frustrated with life now but it is so much easier to reach for the stars when you work for it.
7. Name one person who changed your life for the better during school and how they did it.
I would say Ms. Sharon Olson. What an amazing leader she was. I sure miss her. She taught history and psychology. After high school we became friends. She always had such confidence in herself, and I always admired that about her. She was always poised and professional. I wanted that for myself and feel I have finally reached that.
8. If you could wave a magic wand and change something about your school years, what would it be?
Math — that was just not my thing. Who would have thought that I would become a banker for 30 years not loving math? Certainly not me!
9. How did school prepare you for what you are doing now?
Networking, connections, and friendships. All throughout my banking career, I learned that networking was the key to getting to where you wanted to be. I am forever grateful to my banking mentors who allowed me to follow in their footsteps to help me achieve my goals.
10. What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
I truly enjoy working for the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. I plan to be a part of this team and continue to support Loveland. I am blessed to be part of such an amazing and dynamic team. I am a cheerleader for Loveland businesses and non-profits, connecting them to other people is what I love. I am thankful to still call Loveland my home after 50 years.