What My Mother Means to Me, By Janae Watts, (Kearney Public Schools, Courtesy)
KEARNEY — Janae Watts, a fifth-grade student at Windy Hills Elementary, has been named a finalist in the Nebraska Mothers Association 5th Grade Essay Contest, hosted by American Mothers, Inc.®
The annual contest, titled “What My Mother Means to Me,” challenges fifth-grade students to write heartfelt essays honoring their mothers while showcasing their writing skills.
Janae’s essay was selected among the top ten in Nebraska, earning her an invitation to a special ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol. The event, scheduled for Friday, March 14, at 1 p.m. will recognize the top ten finalists and announce the statewide first-place winner, who will advance to the national competition.
The essays were judged on several key factors, including content and focus—how well the essay portrays the writer’s mother—along with organization, word choice, and sentence fluency to assess the effectiveness and creativity of the writing. Judges also considered the mechanics of writing, including spelling, punctuation, and grammar, to ensure clarity and correctness.
Her essay reads as follows:
What My Mother Means to Me, By Janae Watts
My mother is kind, empathetic, encouraging, and much more. She is the sun to my darkness. She picks me up when I fall and encourages me to keep going. I remember when I first learned to ride a bike and she congratulated me with a bright, encouraging smile showing me that she is proud and loves me. I think I am very lucky to have her as my mom. She is definitely one in a million. She’s an amazing mother I will never doubt her love and I never want her to doubt mine. She says I love you every day to me but even if she didn’t I would be able to tell she loves me because of her warm smile, loving hugs, and joyful kisses. I love my mom!
Janae’s recognition highlights the dedication of Kearney Public Schools students and staff in fostering literacy, creativity, and emotional expression. Congratulations to Janae on this outstanding accomplishment!
The state winner of the Nebraska contest will go on to compete nationally, with a chance to travel to Washington, D.C., for the final recognition ceremony.
