Mother of the Year: Tehachapi News

Nomination for Christina Lang

I would like to nominate my wife on behalf of my 3 and 1 year old boys. Christina Lang has risen to the occasion of being a full-time mommy. Being a mommy is a 24-hour job that truly does not get the recognition all mommies truly deserve.

If we could only give one reason why their mommy should win this award, it would be because she gives them the irreplaceable gift of her time.

Hunter, 3 years old, says, “mommy should win because I love her this much (with arms spread wide) and that she is tool (cool).”

Hayden, 16 months old, just nods his head and smiles. But if he could talk, he would say, “Thank you for milk!”

I say, “WOW, she does so much work and it never ends. I’m actually getting a vacation by going to work. I couldn’t do it without you. You complete me!”

Nomination for Tammy Heckathorn

I would first like to start off with telling you why we think that our mother, Tammy Heckathorn, should receive this years Mother of the Year Award. Our mom has raised three strong and successful children. She has worked three jobs for as long as we can remember. She has always been the hardest worker. She is a very loving, understanding and compassionate mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren. She is the most amazing women to walk the face of this earth. She has always been willing to put everyone first in her life before her self.

She has been Tehachapi's best floral designer for the past 20 years.

For the last ten years she has also delivered your local Bakersfield Californian 365 days a year. In the last nine months she has also become the Tehachapi District Regional Manager for the Bakersfield Californian while being the best mother and grandmother that she can be.

Our Mother deserves this honor more then anyone else. She has never let one of us down. She has always been there with unconditional love, guidance and strength. Her heart is full with nothing but good things for everyone she meets.

I am her daughter Lacey. Myself, my husband Ryan, my brother Clete and his wife Lindsey, my twin brother Trent and his wife Christin and grand babies Carson, Ciena and Devin all feel that this woman is truly the most deserving Mother of the Year!

Words could not even come close to how remarkable this woman is. She has had an impact not only on her family, but on every person that she has ever come in contact with. She truly needs to know just how special she really is.

WE LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!

Nomination for Connie Ward

I would like to nominate my mother for the annual Mother of the Year award. She is known by a lot of people around town. Her name is Connie Ward. She has lived in Tehachapi for over 20 years now. She is a part of the Booster Clubs at the schools. I believe she is the best mother any kid can ever have. Every time I need her she is always there for me. so please just really consider her for the award.

Nomination for mother of Allyson Schellenberg

My name is Allyson Shellenberg and I think, no I know, my mom is the best in Tehachapi. My mom is singal and a very hard worker. She is the mother of four: an 11 year old (me), a 9 year old, a 7 year old and a 5 year old girl and one boy. My mom works from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and she cares so much for us. That is why she is the mom of year.

Yours truly,
Allyson Schellenberg

Nomination for Pauline McClung Bird

Having celebrated her 80th year, Pauline McClung Bird is well beyond the "Soccer Mom" generation with the countless activities and challenges of today's hard-working young mothers who deserve all the accolades and support we can give them. My mother, like many residents of this beautiful area, comes from what NBC journalist Tom Brokaw called "the greatest generation." That was the generation that survived the ravages of the depression, the threat of Hitler, the rising spectre of communism.

Mother's generation sent young lovers and friends off to the Asian and European shores in World War II, younger brothers off to Korea and sons and daughters to Vietnam. They lived through the most dramatic changes on planet earth — in one generation — and survived to raise up a new generation of children and grandchildren to carry on the cherished American values of faith,family and freedom.

This week, some 300 million Mother's Day cards will be sold - in the multiple languages and cultures of modern-day U.S.A. to bear witness to the world's greatest encouragers: our Mothers! My mother has exhibited the time honored and valued qualities of consistency, loyalty, dependability and self-effacing love for others so needed in our times.

What Pauline Bird would offer to all mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers is a sympathetic fellow-traveler in a sisterhood of service to God, family, and country! May God bless her and all Mothers on there special day!

Nomination for Suzanne Grissom

I proudly nominate my daughter, Suzanne Grissom, for Tehachapi 2006 Mother of the Year. She pours her heart and should into being the most excellent mother she can be to her five children. She makes sure that each one truly has a heart for God, love for their fellow man, a strong code of ethics and a zest for life and learning.

Suzanne is a Godly woman with a sunny disposition. She is full of fun, adventure and enthusiasm and at the same time, she is a firm, though kind and patient, disciplinarian and devoted educator. All five of her children are getting rich, well-rounded and in-depth education by being home-schooled by Suzanne. She is also a teacher for Valley Oaks Charter School.

Suzanne has encouraged and made it possible for each her children to follow his or her own path, developing individual talents and interest, which are many and divers. Suzanne always supports seeking out the best situation for each child, sometimes as coach herself with many years in equestrian vaulting and other sports.

Our family has experienced deep sadness this past year with the sudden death of two much-loved family members and it has been a challenge for Suzanne, grieving along with her husband Jim, to make sure that none of the children are silently suffering but that their faith in God is ultimately strengthened.

I believe that each one of her children, Brittany, Lauren, Landon, Allison and Kathryn, knows that their mommy loves them with all her heart and has respect for her strength and wisdom.

Nomination for Michele Wassell

Michele is, first of all, an amazing mother. In her circumstances, this means being an amazing, strong, never-say-never kind of woman.

In the years that I have known Michele, her drive in regards to her daughter and her daughter’s well-being is beyond phenomenal.

Michele has been blessed with a wonderful daughter named Kayla. Or maybe it would be better to say that Kayla is blessed with a wonderful mom named Michele.

Kayla is a very spunky young lady who has required some very special care almost all of her life. Michele has to work at Kayla’s care 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that Kayla has the necessary attention to keep going in this world. There are no days off for Michele. Kayla’s care is that critical.

From doctor’s visits, outings on sunny days, smiles and cheerful words, hugs or just a fun story at bedtime, Michele puts her entire being into Kayla’s care.

Everything else in the world comes in second place. Or third. I don’t know how Michele does it, but you never hear a cross word from her about Kayla or how hard it is to keep going when a day is long or when sleepless nights come along or when an emergency run to the doctor is necessary or when any on of a hundred other scenarios that most moms can’t even begin to imagine actually occur.

I have never known a woman so intent on her child’s well-being. Michele is so totally dedicated to sharing the world with her child and providing every moment of happiness that can come Kyala’s way. Michele has sacrificed and given so much for Kayla that I really cannot put it into words.

Tehachapi is lucky to have a woman of Michele’s caliber and strength as a resident. If that is not enough, Michele has incredible skills in the photography world. Luckily, Tehachapi residents are able to take in some of her talent in the Tehachapi News, along with some local galleries and art shows.

Kayla, of course, is an integral part of Michele’s photo inspiration. Michele would have it no other way.

When you ask Michele how she does it, she simply says, “It’s all about love. Love gets you through anything.”

Nomination for Maryann Paciullo

Most people know her as the lady from the second window at McDonald’s. A few others know her as the woman racing all over Kmart with a cell phone attached to her ear to take care of everyone’s problems. This lady means all that and so much more to everyone she has come in contact with.

My mother, Maryann Paciullo, would be the picture in the dictionary above the definition of “supermom.” She deserves to be named Mother of the Year because of the amazing qualities and characteristics she encompasses.

She is the owner and operator of Tehachapi’s McDonald’s and with that business follows much responsibility. She is not only a thoughtful manager, but she cares for each employee individually and sees the best in everyone. When and invitation to a graduation or baby shower is given to her, she will always make sure that she shows up with a smile and words of enlightenment.

She always has a smile to give away to anyone walking by with a frown. Her customers are her extended family.But to this immediate family, my mother is the foundation for the branches that form our family tree.

My mom has three children, ages 18, 17 and 14. She is divorced but gets along fabulously with my father. My parents do everything they can to provide their children with a comfortable life. my mother works seven days a week for nearly ten hours of each day. She always donates food, drinks, coupons and anything else to every school in Tehachapi.

Her spare time is spent staying in shape at Curves, donating time and money to support St. Malachy Catholic Church and sometimes just sitting down on the couch to laugh with the three of us. Even when she is swamped with work, she will call just to ask, “How was school today?”

Knowing that such a kindhearted greeting is waiting for me after a hectic day is very reassuring. After so much that my mom has done for me, her family and everyone in this community, I would feel excellent to know that I have done something in return by informing Tehachapi News about what an angel she really is. My mom rarely gets recognized for what she does for the community or individuals and this surprise would be just what she needs after a very stressful few weeks.

Maryann Paciullo is the most dedicated, most compassionate and strongest person I’ve ever had the privlege of meeting. I consider myself lucky to know this amazing woman for my 18-year existence.

Nomination for Lillian Turner

Mother’s Day is a day to show appreciation for the women that gave life to us, but for the past nine years, my family has not only celebrated it as that but also as a day to show appreciation to the woman, who day after day strives to improve the lives of everyone around her.

Lillian Turner is not only the mother and grandmother of her own children and grandchildren, she has become an adoptive mother and grandmother to countless others, including our family.

Nine years ago Ross and Lillian Turner moved from Simi Valley to the house next to ours and ever since then, our family and all of Tehachapi has been blessed with this amazing woman. She not only gave my parents money to save our house when she barely new us, but she has given my sister and I money to stay in classes so that we wouldn’t have to miss semesters at college.

Everyday is filled with Lillian’s giving. She was a reading aid for first grade students who now call her Grandma Lillian. She hires people to work odd jobs for her just so she has an excuse to over-pay them. Also, no Girl Scout selling cookies or firemen looking for donations are turned away. Rather, they are exceedingly glad because she donates more money than the average person. Then she turns around and gives the cookies or rodeo tickets away for someone else to enjoy.

Lillian’s love and compassion goes further than just the people in her life. She has adopted five cats and two dogs and has spayed and neutered them not because she is lonely but because she doesn't want them to feel unwanted.

Every night that my mom works late and even sometimes when she doesn’t, dinner is on the table courtesy of Lillian. There is never an Easter, Christmas or Birthday that goes by without being done to the max with love and presents. Anyone who comes across Lillian is blessed with her kinds smile and loving gestures.

This Mother’s Day, my family will honor our adoptive mom with the gifts she deserves but we would like to show our appreciation to the woman who makes our lives better by nominating her for Tehachapi’s Mother of the Year. We nominate her because she is an outstanding person to everyone and mothers each person unconditionally. She is the Mother of the Year to my family because love isn’t spelled L-O-V-E, it is spelled L-I-L-L-I-A-N.

Nomination for Anna Ostby

I would like to nominate my mother, Anna Ostby, for Tehachapi’s 2006 Mother of the Year. My mother has done an outstanding job of being a single mother of two children who suffer from the same bone disorder as she does, osteogenesis imperfecta.

Through the many fractures that both my brother and myself have suffered through childhood, she has remained strong and independent, sacrificing things she wanted and needed to take care of us.

In recent years, her bone disorder has become especially worse, causing her to walk with a cane and be in excruciating pain some days.

Despite all this, she has remained in high spirits and manages to keep an immaculate home. She has recently taken in my young daughter and myself to help me finish college.

My mother truly deserves this type of recognition, but even if not being chosen as the mother of the year, she would be honored just knowing that she was nominated and thought of so fondly.

Nomination for Leslie Schoenberg

We’d like to nominate our mom, Leslie Schoenberg, for this year’s Mother of the Year contest. She feeds our five horses and two dogs most of the time. She home schools us, takes us to violin lessons, junior orchestra, gymnastics, helps us get ready for our riding lessons, takes us to and helps us get ready for horse shows, takes us to AWANA and is a leader there because of us, makes sure we get to play with friends and do fun activities (such as archery, swimming, tennis, et cetera).

Our mom cares for us when we’re sick, makes dinner almost every night and just spends time with us, along with giving up much of her time with her friends and our dad for us because we are gone most nights doing our activities, and she has to take us to them.

Not only does our mom do a lot for our family, she also helps out in the community. Since we started violin, she got involved with the California State Old Time Fiddler’s Association and was the chairman of the 2005 Tehachapi Fiddle Contest. This year she’s the president of the board and the finance chair for the fiddle contest. When they need her, she also plays third flute in the Tehachapi Community Orchestra.
We really appreciate all she does for us.

Nomination for Tami Smith

I am nominating Tami Smith for the Mother of the Year 2006. She is a mother of seven here in Tehachapi and has devoted her life to raising her children. She has opened her home to five foster children, whom she has legally adopted.

Tami’s life revolves around her children. She is involved with them in school, softball, and she helps them in raising goats to show. Her time is not her own with seven children, she is kind, caring, patient and above all one of the best mom's I've ever seen.

I don't know how Tami keeps up with all the children, but she does and everyone of them is healthy, happy, well cared for and thriving. In big families sometimes there is the middle child who gets left out or the oldest.

Tami seems to make time for each of her children. I was able to see her in action on a personnel level. She reads constantly to her children, they aren't poisoned with T.V. on a constant basis as most of the kids are today. Tami has very high morals and teaches her children manners that you don't see in most of today's kids.

Tami is an exceptional Mom.

Nomination for Denise

We wanted to submit an entry about our mother for mother of the year.

Let us just tell you some things about our mother, Denise. From our youth, our mother has been both our mother and father. We grew up in Oildale, near Bakersfield, and if you know of this place then you know isn’t the best. However, our mom taught us good morals and how to be the best that we could be. Growing up there also showed us what we didnt’ want to be in our own lives.

Our mom worked many jobs to support us and gave us everything we needed. As we grew older my mother married a man named Gary and once again became very happy with her life after a long struggle with our father.

For the last three years our mom has been doing the Atkins diet and has lost over100 pounds and has gained back so much self confidence.

We admit we didnt always make life easy for the two of them growing up. When they got married our family grew from the three to eight of us.That made four girls and two boys and two parents who couldn’t make the kids get along!

So 10 years later, after we all grew up and moved out of the house, they were able to be the "kids" again. They have purchased a Harley and are hard core Harley riders. My mother is finally enjoying the life that she has dreamed of and that she deserves to live!

We think that she has worked so hard in raising us and taking care of herself and her health losing over 100 pounds that she deserves to be pampered!