Four Palm Desert Moms Named 'Best' in Valley; Read Touching Essays Their Children Wrote

Four Palm Desert women are being celebrated among the best in the Valley, after essays their children wrote were selected as winners in a local contest.

The contest was part of Time Warner Cable's annual Best Moms event.  A total of 25 mothers were chosen from across the Coachella Valley— from a field of more than 500 entrants, according to TWC Spokeswoman Elli Tourje.

"The annual contest, now in its 10th year, provides local children the opportunity to celebrate the qualities that make their moms special, earning the families well-deserved appreciation for Mother’s Day," Tourje said of the honor.

The four local women— Lezly Clayton, Lynn Dralle, Hermi Perera, and Dina Possidon— get to attend a special luncheon in their honor Saturday at the Miramonte Resort in Indian Wells.  There, they'll all be spoiled with goodie bags filled with gifts from local sponsors.  

A total of three of the 25 'best moms' will also be given a Sony computer tablet— based on who the top three student winners were; one each in elementary, middle and high school.

Below, find the winning essays that were submitted by Palm Desert students:

Best Mom: Lezly Clayton, Palm Desert

Student: Morgan Clayton, Grade: 8, Palm Desert Charter Middle School

My Mom is the definition of dedication, the role model for all mothers. I love her with all my heart and I wouldn't trade her for the world. On a number of occasions I have ignored my mom, with idiotic things like how to wear my hair at school, and how to text my friends, when in the end she's always right. She is my role model, my inspiration, my motivation and my counselor. My Madre supports me in my ever-changing interests, and she is constantly requesting ways that I can improve. Mother Goose is also a master with multi-tasking, I once experienced her on the phone, making dinner, and helping my sister with homework all at once. Whenever I feel confused about something, or in need of assistance I always find myself back in front of mother. Whenever I don't feel like I'm doing something right, or not executing things to the best of my ability, Mo-Ma is always there for assistance. My momma is like Siri of my life. Mother is always looking for ways to help others, and I've never ever experienced her acting self-centered, or selfish towards anyone, and I love her for that. Lezly Rene Clayton is the Commander in Chief to the Clayton family, and I am proud to serve in her army!

Best Mom: Lynn Dralle, Palm Desert       

Student: Indiana Wilson, Grade 8, Palm Desert Charter Middle School

(Mom is the sun in this poem written by…Indiana)

The sky may grow dark, and lightning may offer its dreadful spark, but the sun always hides behind those gloomy clouds, waiting for the moment to brighten up the dreary day. When your heart is cold and your nose is running, the sunshine will offer its familiar warmth and cradle you in her arms. Even when it seems like the sunshine is no longer there for you, she is still there. She is just waiting for you to run to her, and she will give you the brightest of smiles to make all your melancholy thoughts disappear. This sunshine continues to take me out of my darkening days and she will always be there in the sky, even when it turns to night. I'm sure that you have a sunshine that you cannot live without, too. However, I know that in my heart my sun will always shine brighter than the other suns, because she is mine personally. My mother was designed to put sunshine into my life, and I am forever grateful for that.

Best Mom: Hermi Perera, Palm Desert

Student: Nishadi Perera, Grade 8, Palm Desert Charter Middle School

She is one of the hardest working moms I have ever met. In 2009 my dad was diagnosed with cancer. For nine months straight she had to juggle with taking me to school, going to the hospital, then working full-time, picking me up from school, going back to work, and then back to the hospital. That was basically her day. After he passed away she was in a whole other world and couldn’t really get back on her feet. She didn’t know what was going to happen and she didn’t know how she was going to make a living for a lost person. But by the grace of God we are on track today. Every day she says to me, “I don’t know how I’m doing it.” My mom is so strong and so brave. I know that she would do anything for me and I would do anything for her.

Best Mom: Dina Possidon, Palm Desert

Student: Alexandria Possidon, Grade 4, Abraham Lincoln Elementary School

There are many reasons why I think my mom is wonderful and gets my vote for being the best mom in the world. She works hard each and every day to make a lot of people including me safe, healthy and happy.  My mom is a 2nd grade teacher at Lincoln elementary school where I am in 4th grade. It’s fun having a mom at school with me because I can go to see her whenever I want. My mom is also great because she is a super daughter. I call my grandma Yia Yia and she is getting pretty old. Doctors call it Alzheimer’s I think, but my Yia Yia forgets things I tell her pretty quickly. My mom helps my Yia Yia everyday by calling her and reminding her to take her medication. My mom also goes and helps her with her house jobs like groceries and shopping and cleaning up both inside and outside I love my mom bec