By Wren Palmer

How do you describe the woman who has given you everything? To me, she’s brilliant, beautiful, bold, comical, loving, and there just aren’t enough words to describe her.

To many, she’s known as Ms. Palmer or Aunty Betty, but to me, she’s Mom.

My mom was born and raised in the village of  Pago Pago, American Sāmoa, a 76-square- mile island. She is 6 of 8 children to my grandparents. My mom served in the United States Navy and for about 15 years she has been working in education, having worked at Silver Strand Elementary School in Coronado, CA, and Tierra Vista Elementary School here in Oxnard.

She has been in more Parent-Faculty-Student Organizations than anyone ever needs to be. She has been a filmmaker for my brother’s football games and highlights, and the ultimate study buddy to my siblings and me.

My mom has been nothing but amazing. She is not only a role model to me, but to the many people she works with.

For more than half of my life, she has had to fill in the role of both parents when my dad has been deployed. She has been my editor, chauffeur, personal chef, doctor, best friend, and more. I admire her courage, resilience, patience, capacity for love and understanding, toughness, humility, and generosity.

My mom continues to teach me the most valuable lessons, and I hope to be even half the woman she is.

By Roselyn Romero

As I was walking into my AP Biology classroom during sophomore year on Back to School Night with my mom, she saw a class photo—Channel Islands High School Class of 1989—on Mrs. Salcido’s wall. In shock, my mother whispered to me, “Oh my gosh, I’m in that picture!”

My mother, Rowena Romero, arrived to the United States in 1984 at the tender age of 16. She attended Channel Islands High School as a junior, not knowing anyone and keeping to herself. As a matter of fact, she was a student at the Islands when Ken Benefield was the school principal, the man whose name is on the stadium.

My mom currently works as a registered nurse at St. John’s Hospital, where she has been employed for 27 years.

Ever since I was a little girl, my mom has inspired me immensely. Because of her, I strive to do what is right and to embody the virtuous, hardworking woman that she is.

Although I will not be pursuing the same career path that my mom has taken, she has taught me the significance of following my passions rather than chasing money, an invaluable lesson I will continue to follow throughout my high school and college career.

In my eyes, my mother is the epitome of diligence, patience, selflessness, and love. Though I’m growing older with every passing day, I will always consider my mom as my confidant, my favorite chef, and, most importantly, my best friend.

By Jose Ortiz

Imagine a person full of love, beauty and more love. That person is who I call my mother.

My mother is one of the most special people in my life. She has always been there every step of the way and I am very thankful to have a person who never gives up on me. Her name is Sheila.

I see her as a strong, kind, honest woman. She works long, stressful days and still manages to find the energy to provide a family of five with more.

She makes me laugh when no one else can and enjoys spending time with her family. She will comfort me in times when I’m in need of someone to talk to.

My mom is very special to me for many reasons, but the main one is that she always motivates me to be the best person I can be. She motivates me to do the best I can in school even if the motivation level is low.

Every day when she drops me off at school, before I get out of the car she smiles and says, “Have a great day. Love you!” I appreciate it because sometimes it is the only thing that keeps my spirits high while I’m at school. The simple “love you” is what motivates me to keep trying my best.

I am thankful to have a strong relationship with someone who always puts the needs of others before hers.

By Geeriwin Galimba

Mother’s Day, a special day to appreciate all mothers and mother figures. My mother is very special to me. Her name is Elizabeth Galimba and she has taken care of me since I was a child.

She is the reason why I am who I am today. She taught me to be kind and caring. She taught me to always take on challenges. Whenever I feel like giving up, she is always there encouraging me. My mother came from the Philippines and has made many sacrifices to ensure I grew up with a steady childhood.

My mother is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. She loves telling stories about her childhood and she always tries her best to cheer up those who are feeling down.

I recently started driving and have only driven about four times. She was the one who taught me most of what I know about driving. She put her trust in me and let me, an inexperienced driver, drive the car to relatively far places. She basically put her life on the line to make sure I learned how to drive properly.

I am very grateful for my mother. I will always love her and I appreciate everything she’s done for me.

By Crystal Romero

I would like to pay tribute to a woman who has immensely impacted my life. This woman is my mother, Olivia Romero. She is the strongest, bravest, and kindest woman I know. She is never shy to tell me when I’m doing something wrong, but I know that when she does it it is to help me improve myself and be a better person.

She is my mother, the greatest influence in my life. I tell my mom everything and anything. She is the only one who will give it to me straight but she’s there to comfort me if I need it. She’s taught me not to let others people’s views on me change me. I do everything with my mom. She has always inspired me to pursue my dreams.

And, by the way, she’s an AMAZING cook. Her posole, tortas, huaraches, enchiladas and even the simplest things like sopas and frijoles are amazing. She was raised in Guanajuato, Mexico.

While she was in Mexico her parents were in America working in the fields to provide a living for them and gather enough money to eventually take them to America. My mom is the oldest of 7 so she always had to be somewhat of a mother to her younger siblings.

My mom has taught me that if I put all my trust in God eventually everything will work out for the best. I don’t know what I would do without her.

By Angie Garcia

My mom’s name is Marisol Garcia and she is her own special person. I would say that my mom and I bump heads more than bumper cars bump each other because we are the exact copy of each other, mostly.

She grew up in Mexico with 13 siblings and she left her home country to give me a better life.

My mom raised me on her own and I was her first child so of course she tried her hardest with giving me the most she could.

But as I grew older I began to realize that I was my own person, or became the typical teenage “rebel,” and we started to separate.

She grew up in different times and considers herself traditional, so when I started becoming open-minded we both began to have problems between us. This is where I realized that I was going to have to work to better our relationship because I don’t want to lose my mom, my best friend.

Though we don’t have the best relationship now, I know I will always hold her close to my heart because I love her unconditionally and she has taught me the most.

My mom is the most stubborn person on this planet and the epitome of a perfectionist, so of course I have now grown into her shoes.

She has taught me that there is no such thing as quitting and that there is always room for improvement. The mistakes she’s made in her life have helped me realize that there is a way to prevent myself from repeating them.

I owe it all to my mom, since she has shaped me into the strong person I am today.

All my achievements in life will be for her because she has been the one there for me.

By Cecilia Jimenez

Mother’s Day, a day devoted to the women in our lives that have been a crucial part of our upbringing. It can be a grandmother, an aunt, a cousin, a godmother or simply someone who has filled that special place in your heart reserved for only the most loving and maternal of figures in your life. So don’t forget to thank whoever that special woman in your life is, not only on Mother’s Day but every day.

I know we all like to believe that we have the best mom in the world but the truth is it’s not all happy moments with them. My mom and I have had a lot of arguments and we don’t always agree. There was a period in the time (middle school) where we were having more fallouts than usual; needless to say we have definitely had ups and downs.

Now that we’ve gotten past those moments I realize how blessed I am to have her. She’s been a constant supporter of my dreams while also making sure I stay focused and realistic. Even though she’s my mother she plays the part of friend and one of my closest confidantes who provides invaluable advice.

All in all she has helped me figure out who I am and who I want to be. My mother has sacrificed so much in order to get me where I am and I hope that she realizes how grateful I am for her daily drive to better not only her children but herself.