All Around Pennsauken

By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

A nurse whose shrimp pasta is the best and a big brother serving his country were recognized as very special people in the lives of local students in this year’s Best Mom, Dad, or Guardian in Pennsauken essay contest.

Sponsored annually by the Pennsauken Youth Action Committee, children in grades three, four, and five in any Pennsauken public, parochial, or private school submitted letters stating why they believed that their parent, guardian, or special role model is the best. Letters were judged by a panel based on originality, content, and ability to express feelings or ideas. The top three winners in each category were honored at the Township Committee meeting on May 23.

“Every year, we receive hundreds of submissions. It’s a very, very difficult job for all of us to read all these letters and pick the winners,” says Elwood Martz, a member of the Youth Action Committee. “We thank all of those who participated in this contest and we congratulate the winners.”

The winning Best Mom essay was written by Junell Alvarez about her mother, Raquel, an LPN. “My mom Raquel is the best, and she is always there to help.

“She is loving, and when I’m upset, she gives dozens of hugs and kisses. She is warm-hearted and caring.”

Junell also wrote about her mother’s cooking ability.

“My mom is not a good baker, but she is an amazing cook. I can smell her food from miles away. Her shrimp pasta is the best, because she always adds a special ingredient, which I can’t tell you.”

Lauren Nguyen wrote about her “brave, big brother” in her winning essay.

“I chose my brother, Dennis, to write about because he serves in the U.S. Air Force, and I’m happy that he did this to follow his dream. [He’s] our hero.

“Whenever he sees me crying, he would always make me laugh and feel better. It’s like I don’t even remember what I was crying for.”

Several students received honorable mention as part of the very difficult selection process. Clayton Thomas wrote about his grandpa, Moliere, who does the “funniest Pee Wee Herman impersonation.” He also “does a lot of things for me and my family.”

Sydney McCurry nominated her mom, Beverly, “because we always have girl time when my brother and dad are gone” and she reminds her to do her very best every day.

Hoa Son wrote about her dad, Thanh, an extremely hard worker who takes care of his family. “My dad is the best dad in my opinion. I love my dad and he means the world to me.”

Rachel Biehl not only wrote about her mother, Hsaio Ping, she also drew her picture as a “Super Mom.”

“My mom helps me and my sister do homework, helps us when we’re hurt, and helps us when we’re sick. Go Super Mom!”

The Pennsauken Youth Action Committee thanks all those students who participated in this year’s contest, the teachers and family members who encouraged them to write about their parents and relatives, as well as those caring and dedicated men and women throughout Pennsauken who inspire the children in this community.