Parent of the YearThe 2012-2013 Parent of the Year is Teresa Jones.
Here is the winning essay, written by Teresa's daughter, Jacqueline Jones.
My mom has always been the one constant my siblings and I have had in our lives. No matter what was going on with the family, the world, even just in our own minds she has been there for us. She raised my older sister, younger brother, and I to think for ourselves and speak our minds. She has never tried to make us feel like we should believe something just because she did. If my mom weren’t the woman she is and hadn’t raised me to believe that if there is something you really want to do God will find a way to make it happen, I wouldn’t be who I am today
She raised not only me, but also my older sister and younger brother basically by herself. My father was a truck driver so he was up and out of the house before we got up and was home and in bed before we had dinner so she never really had much help from him. But what makes my mom truly amazing, to me anyway, is that four years ago when our worlds got turned upside down by my father going a little insane and being removed from the house, she kept us together. December will be four years exactly that she started being not only our sole care-giver but also the sole provider for the three of us. She takes care of three kids, pays rent, and pays all the bills on the salary of a paraprofessional (a teacher’s aide). She has fought for three years in court to have financial assistance from my father and still has yet to receive the proper amount she is owed, yet even with this struggle she has managed to not only have one daughter graduate from college, have another graduate f rom high school and go to college, and have a son who is in high school. We may not always get the newest phones or have name brand clothes but we always have the things we need and some things that make us happy even if it means she works a little harder. My mother has raised the three of us virtually on her own since the time my sister was born, and I can honestly say that she has prepared us to go out into the world and be able to function and do the things we need to do.
My mom may not be the smartest, or the richest parent ever, but she is the most loving and understanding. I know that no matter what time it is, day or night she will always be there for me and if I need her she will do whatever she can to come to me. I know that no matter what I do I can tell her and she will always love me and help me through whatever is going on. My mom is my rock, without her I would be lost.
Details regarding the 2013-2014 award will be announced in Fall 2013.
Contact the Alumni Office with any questions, 563/333-6290.
