This week’s Life in the Spotlight is a North Dakota native. However, she moved to the area in 1957 with her husband who came to work as a machinist apprentice and she has certainly found her niche in the Portage community in the years since. Valeria Roach is President of the Portage Community Historical Society, and a woman well deserving of her time in the spotlight.
While living in North Dakota, Valeria taught in a one-room rural school. Once they moved to Portage, Valeria became very involved in the school system here as her four daughters and one son moved through their school years. She worked as an aid, PTA treasurer, and treasurer for the music program. “Being involved keeps my mind active,” Valeria explains, “It’s good for me, and it helps the community.”
When Valeria was fifty-eight, she was offered a position teaching at a preschool. Thinking this would be a short-term occupation, she took the position. “I stayed there for sixteen years,” she laughed.
It is clear Valeria keeps herself busy. At an age where many are ready to retire, she took up another job. Even after leaving her position at the preschool, Valeria continued to be an acting presence in the community, and remains so to this day.
Over the years, Valeria has participated in a number of fundraisers and helped multiple organizations within the community, one of these being the American Legion. For a while, she spent two days a week running the kitchen and cooking for Post 100 during their Bingo nights.
p> Currently, however, Valeria spends much of her time with the Portage Community Historical Society as the acting president. When her son became involved with the Historical Society, he told Valeria they were looking for a president. Valeria attended an interview, and though she was not a member at the time, she wound up with the job, and remains in this position today.
“I’m interested in antiques and the history behind them because these things were in my house,” Valeria explains, as the museum in which she spends most of her time is full of historic antiques from the Portage region. “I grew up with these things, and I enjoy being in the building with all of the artifacts and the Portage history.”
Some of her favorite memories include meeting all of the board members. “We work well together,” Valeria says, “We’ve become friends.”
As for her responsibilities, Valeria laughs, joking, “I don’t even know what my duties are!”
However, it’s clear this is far from the truth. Valeria is in charge of scheduling and running regular meetings. She reaches out to speakers for these meetings, as well. Often times she is answering questions for visitors to the museum, board members, and other organizations in the community. Valeria also reviews and approves displays and events, maintains the artifacts and the museum, and communicates with those involved. Last year she even began a tea party at the museum, and it is becoming an annual tradition.
Valeria says that her greatest success in life is having five children and raising them to successes of their own. “I’m very blessed to have so much, and to have done so much,” she states, “I’m blessed at my age to be able to do the things I do and what’s required of me.” She owes these successes to hard work, dedication, and determination.
For inspiration, Valeria says this, “I look to the Good Lord and my family, my parents. I was blessed to have a great background and upbringing, with the freedom to pursue my own endeavors.”