Whitney Roach Wins Mother Of The Year

The Continental Society of Bermuda hosted their annual ‘Mother of the Year’ essay competition, with Whitney Roach winning the honour after Vida Roach submitted an outstanding essay about her ‘Bonus Mom.’

A spokesperson said, “On finding out that she had been chosen as the 2021 Mother of the Year, Whitney Roach, stepmother to Vida Roach, was thankful that she had great examples of what a ‘Bonus Parent’ should be.

“Vida, a primary three student at Victor Scott Primary School, put her great passion for reading and writing to use during remote learning to compose a heartfelt essay about her stepmom.

“The Continental Society of Bermuda hosted their annual ‘Mother of the Year’ essay competition, with ten primary schools participating, receiving essays from 80 primary three and four students. This is the 52nd year that the women of The Society have awarded this honor to a local mother.”

President Allison Tucker says, “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, for the first time in over 50 years, we were unable to facilitate the Mother of the Year essay writing competition last year. We are glad to have been in a position to hold the competition this year and recognize the Mothers in our community, especially during these challenging times.”

Mrs. Roach was recognized at Victor Scott’s morning, virtual assembly on Monday, May 10, where she and Vida were presented with gifts. Vida also shared her essay with her fellow students.

Of her newly awarded title, Mrs. Roach said, “To read the email to say we had won was a shock, I was excited, overjoyed and definitely affirmed that I was doing the right thing in my walk as a ‘Bonus Parent.’”

Mrs. Roach offered thanks to Vida for her kind words, her husband for choosing her to be a part of his children’s lives, and her own Bonus Parents for their great example.

“For further information on The Continental Society and the work that they do in our community, please refer to their Facebook page or contact them via email at continentalbda@gmail.com.”

Vida’s award winning essay is below:

Why my Munchkin [Whitney Roach] should be mom of the year.

My name is Vida Roach I will be 8 in September 2021. When I was younger my mom moved to England and from the time my dad met my now stepmom she has looked after me like I am her own. Even while she was just his friend she would help him get stuff for me and make sure I was well taken care of.

When she moved in with us she would watch me while my dad worked, take me to church and come to all my events. I know who my mom is, so after she moved in I started to call her “Munchkin”.

When I started Victor Scott Preschool she would pick me up daily and again come to everything. I remember when they had Mothers Day Lunch and when she picked me up the day before I was crying, I told her it was because all my friends would have their mommy’s there and I will be alone.

She said “as long as she was around I would never be alone.” I never forgot that and she has kept that promise. I am reading and writing above grade because she pushes me to be the best.

She really cares about us, and my dad thinks this too, so three days before my fifth birthday they got married. I was so excited. At the wedding my Bonus Mom called me and my bother up to the front and made promises to love and care for us which she keeps everyday. She even put it on the wall in our house so we remember.

“Now that I am older and understand how much she loves me, I have asked her if I can call her mom also, she said yes. I love her so much.

“Why should she be Mother of the Year? Because she did not go to the hospital to have me, but she loves me like she did, she cares about me like she did, she made a choice to love my dad, brother and me, and I think she deserves this reward.

#AwardWinners #GoodNews

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