Congratulations to Lucy Drenka
Southlake Style's 3rd Annual
Best Mom Essay Contest Winner for 2008!
Written by her daughter Stephanie:
“Do you know who your real mom is?” As an Asian adoptee growing up in Southlake, I am often asked this question. There is no doubt in my mind regarding the identity of my “real” mom. She is Lucy Drenka, and she deserves to be recognized as Southlake’s Best Mom, because this is what she has been to me for 22 years.
Motherhood is more than an inherent right. It is an ability and capacity for love, which transcends biology. My “real” mom is not the woman who gave birth to me but the one who held, nurtured, taught, and loved me unconditionally; who has nursed me through illness, accidents, and broken hearts. Standing at barely 5’ tall, Lucy Drenka is living proof that good things come in small packages. What she lacks in height, she makes up in size of heart. Although I did not inherit her petite frame, she bequeathed to me her appreciation for the arts. A skilled pianist, she supported my love of music, never missing one of my choir and theater performances. Above all; she taught my younger brother and I the value of education.
There’s a saying, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” Well, if you have children in this school district who enjoy reading…thank my mom. She has been a librarian here for nearly a decade. Mark Terry, principal of Eubanks Intermediate, says that she is “committed to developing a love of reading in each child she sees,” and that he often receives “testimonials from parents whose kids have never picked up a book and are suddenly asking to go to the library or bookstore.”
She organizes the annual “Battle of the Books” competition, which fosters teamwork while increasing students’ desire to read, and also teaches the “Big Six” technique, which makes research more fun and accessible to students, and “prepares students for high school and beyond,” said Terry. Beyond instilling a love of reading in her own students, she encourages them to share that love by giving back to the community. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, she organized a book drive where her students collected 2,194 used books, which were given to children in the affected areas. Her benevolent spirit is a constant inspiration to all.
Her lessons are with me even miles away while I attend college in Chicago, encouraging me to fight for social justice. At times when I often felt ostracized because of my ethnicity and differences, her color-blind love provided a constant reminder that I belong, teaching me the importance of embracing diversity. It is this same compassion and openness that she shares with her students.
In the words of novelist, Elizabeth Hardwick, "The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination." Lucy Drenka, my real mom, did not give birth to me. She has given me infinitely more.
Click here to read more Best Mom essay submissions
Mrs. Drenka, mother of two, will enjoy reading her daughter’s essay as part of a feature in Southlake Style’s May Family issue coming to your home this weekend! As the winner she will also be showered with over $1,300 worth of gifts from the following sponsors:
“Mom’s Truly Charming” from Grayson Allen Fine Jewelers ($500 value)
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A Sterling Silver STARHAVEN Fleur de Lis Charm Bracelet, by Liz Donahue (sold exclusively at Grayson Allen Fine Jewelers)
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5 additional sterling silver charms to be selected by the winner’s family
“Mom’s Time Out” at Corinthian Wellness Spa ($258 value)
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Aroma Flutter Massage
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Pain-in-the-Neck-Relief
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Youthful Renewal Facial
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and a Special Gift!
“You ought to be in Pictures” from Premiere Photography Studio ($268 value)
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Family Studio or Location Portrait Session
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One 11x14 Portrait
“Mom’s Night Out” from the Hilton Southlake ($300 value)
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1 Weekend Night Stay
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Breakfast for two at Copeland’s Restaurant
Contest Rules:
Winning essays must:
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Be 500 words or less and include Entrant's Name, Address and Phone Number
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Be received by April 4th, 2008 (midnight)
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From the 76092 zip code (Southlake)
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1 entry only per household
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Agree to have the entry published in Southlake Style and SouthlakeStyle.com
Back to Submission/Contests Page