THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290231
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: JANELLE LA BOUVE
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Lillian Donnally, principal at the Alternative Adult High School in Virginia Beach, thinks it's important to know her students - all 900 of them.
``I know just about every one of them by name,'' said Donnally, a Chesapeake resident. ``I do well with either a first or last name.''
Donnally says she's a hands-on person at the high school for older students and adults who, for varied reasons, are behind academically. She gets directly involved with students' instruction and disciplinary problems.
``My job is meaningful because I have the opportunity to help other people succeed in their education,'' she said.
Donnally taught English and journalism at Great Bridge High School and was assistant principal at Deep Creek High School for 7 1/2 years.
Then, C. Fred Bateman, Chesapeake's superintendent of schools, asked Donnally to plan the Center for Science and Technology. She later planned several education programs for Virginia Beach schools.
One of those programs was for an alternative high school.
``That's how I came to be the principal of the open campus high school,'' said Donnally, who also served as principal of the Adult Learning Center in Virginia Beach.
``But I wouldn't be who I am and where I am if it weren't for about four people apart from my parents and my husband,'' she said. ``I had professional mentors who gave me the challenges and the opportunity to grow and to be creative.''
Donnally credits several mentors who helped her grow. They include Bateman; Harry Blevins, formerly principal of Great Bridge High; Nat Hardee, principal at Deep Creek High School; and K. Edwin Brown, assistant superintendent for instruction in Virginia Beach.
Full name: Lillian J. Donnally
Birthdate: Oct. 6, 1951
Grew up: Born and raised in Portsmouth
Childhood memories: ``Camping out at Seashore State Park with my relatives and sleeping in my garage in the summer before we had air conditioning. It was cooler in the garage.''
Spouse: Vincent
Children: Kristin, Megan and Lauren
Occupation: ``High school principal. Officially, I'm principal of the alternative adult high school. It's called an auxiliary school.''
Hobbies: ``I play classical piano. But I sold my piano to buy my first car because I had to go to work. Then after I was married I bought another piano. My husband didn't know how well I played until some years after we were married. I also do needlepoint. I enjoy listening to a wide variety of music. I love to travel and see new and different things. And, I love to read.''
Last book read: ``The Agenda'' by Bob Woodward
Favorite album: ``Rod Stewart Unplugged.'' ``My favorite music is by Billy Joel and Beethoven. I play piano and love listening to music.''
Favorite movie: ``Gone With the Wind''
Can't resist: ``Expressing my opinion''
Pets: ``One cat that my daughter Megan adopted.''
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? ``Politics, so that people would be rewarded by the quality and quantity of their work and not by who they know.''
Greatest accomplishment: ``I have three. I married the world's greatest husband. I'm the mother of three bright, healthy children and I've had the opportunity to plan and administer programs to help children and adults succeed in education.''
Favorite TV program: ``Between `Matlock' and `Perry Mason' ''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: ``My husband and I enjoy going to Cara's.''
Biggest problem facing Chesapeake: ``Increasing population and the effects that has on city services, education and transportation. By that I mean the roads.''
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``I like to go to Williamsburg with my husband and my children.''
How would you like to be remembered? ``She did it her way?'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
KEYWORDS: PROFILE INTERVIEW
by CNB