Mother's love allows daughter to pursue her lofty dreams

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers IT'S IN THE BAG-Diedra Licata-Haring, right, and her daughter Courtney, 13, of Agoura Hills display Courtney's designer purses. A mother will do just about anything for her children, says Deidra Licata-Haring, an Agoura Hills mother of two. LicataHaring has two children, Courtney, 13, and Jim, 8, and despite the challenges, she's committed to do whatever she can to make their lives better.

"(The kids') dad and I divorced three years ago and I married a man who owned a home in Agoura Hills," Licata-Haring said. "(Their) dad, Jay, lives in Ventura and that's where I lived when we were married. . . . I haven't wanted to upset (their) lives any more than they were by the divorce, so since I remarried, I've been driving them into Ventura to go to school on the days that I have them. Their dad and I share joint custody."

Courtney dreams of becoming an actress and a designer. She's already designed a purse that's being sold at the Candy Jar Store in Agoura Hills.

"Courtney has had a passion for designing and acting since grade school," Licata-Haring said. "She got up in front of the kids and parents at school in the third grade and belted out a cappella, 'Come On Over' by Christina Aguilera. . . .She was in the talent show every year after that. In sixth grade, she stole the show in her school musical, acting out the part of Rosalie in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'"

Courtney has also been involved in arts and crafts, according to her mother. "She's been artsy since she was in preschool when she first started to draw and paint and create. Her teachers all informed me that they thought she was really gifted that way. She's the type of kid who would take chopsticks-or any kind of sticks for that matter-and draw these adorable paper dolls, cut them out and tape or glue them to the sticks and create a story or a play (with them). She writes some terrific stories and poems."

Courtney's fascination with celebrities recently inspired her to create the purses that are for sale at the Candy Jar Store, which sells gifts, collectibles and candy.

"Her original idea for purses for young girls came about when she was looking in a magazine and noticed that Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson carry their little dogs around in purses," LicataHaring said. "She thought it would be fun to create a toy purse with a stuffed animal inside."

Licata-Haring helped her daughter put a prototype together and got a patent on her design.

Courtney and her mother found the Candy Jar Store a few years ago. When it came time to sell Courtney's purse, the motherdaughter team went to the store. The owner of the store loved the design and wanted to sell the purses.

"She took the (purses) in on consignment and sold all of them," Licata-Haring said. "She called to ask for five more and Courtney was ecstatic."

While her purse design is getting off the ground, Courtney hopes to find a talent agent to represent her as an actress. LicataHaring is, of course, behind Courtney every step of the way.

Even without an agent, Courtney has been trying to get work. She'll soon join drama club at her school, and she recently auditioned for a movie, "Archie's Class Project."

"She got the call that she made it and she was asked to show up at a cemetery for filming," LicataHaring said. "They told her to bring a parent-as an extra-to be in the scene as well. We were there most of the day and she re

ally enjoyed the experience. I did too. Then she (was told) that she needed an entertainment work permit to continue filming."

Courtney didn't have the permit and couldn't do any more work. Licata-Haring did some research on the Internet and found the form Courtney needed to get her entertainment work permit.

"By the time we got it back, (the movie) didn't need Courtney anymore," Licata-Haring said.

So again, Courtney was upset. A mother can't solve all problems, but she'll do the best she can.

"I wouldn't have gotten this far without my mom," Courtney said. "She's been a great help."

Licata-Haring said, "I would love to see all of Courtney's dreams come true. That's all any mother really wants for her children. So I'm very supportive of her and I'm trying to help her in any way that I can."

Licata-Haring helps her son, Jim, with the same dedication she gives her daughter.

"Jim is a big sports fanatic," Licata-Haring said. "He excels in every sport, but he particularly loves baseball."

Licata-Haring takes Jim to the park to practice, she goes to every one of his games and she's his biggest fan.

"Any sport he tries, he's really good," Licata-Haring said. "He picked up bike riding right away, rollerblading and he's even really good in basketball-and he's not that tall."

Jim also excels in math and chess and plays the piano. "He teaches himself," Licata-Haring said. "He hasn't had any formal lessons."

As with Courtney, Jim thanks his mother for his successes in life, including those tough school assignments. "My mom always helps me with my homework," Jim said.

Licata-Haring is a real estate agent in Ventura, Oxnard and Camarillo.

"I love what I do because I love helping people buy a house," Licata-Haring said. "But at the same time, I love what I do because it's so conducive to spending more time with my kids. If I'm too busy, I can take a little time off and the only thing that happens is that I make less money.

"The most important thing is to spend time with your kids," Licata-Haring said. "I think kids really want that from their parents. Sure, they want toys here and there. But the main thing that I think they really want is the attention from their parents. . . .My own mom was there for us when we were growing up as well. I believe that's where our strong family values come from. I'm hoping to instill those values in my kids."

The Acorn recognizes LicataHaring as a great mother and wishes her and other mothers a happy Mother's Day.