As a child she moved around a bit, but says she is not done yet. Still only at the tender age of 22, Sandy Perez knows what she wants and where she is going.

Sandy Perez (Schlafer) was born in Norwich in 1984 and grew up on Merrill Street, where she says she made friendships over the short seven years she was there that will last a lifetime. After facing some economic hardships, Sandy’s family moved to Sanatara Springs. In 1996 her mother got a job offer in Warren, Pa., and the family moved again. By 1998 her parents bought a new home in Youngsville, Pa., where they currently reside. Sandy joined the Army National Guard in 2001 and graduated high school from Youngsville in 2002.

After completing close to a year in the guard, Sandy says she decided it just wasn’t for her and decided to venture forth and see what else held her interest. She says she worked an array of jobs in retail and manufacturing before deciding to move with a friend to Virginia Beach.

“I felt the need to branch away from home and try life out on my own,” Sandy said.

Shortly after moving south, Sandy said she loved where she was and what she was doing. She also met someone who would shortly change the course of her life.