Community Corner

Local Students Write Essays to Nominate Two of San Diego's 50 Best Moms

Galen Steinhoff and Tyler James Culliver of Imperial Beach have their essays chosen from more than 2,500 entries to have their moms declared two of San Diego's Best Moms.

As part of a Mother's Day essay contest organized by Time Warner Cable, Gean Steinhoff and Lana Culliver of Imperial Beach were named two of San Diego's 50 Best Moms.

Galen Steinhoff, 13, and Tyler James Culliver, 12, had their essays selected from more than 2,500 entries by local students answering the question "Why do you think your mom is the best mom?"

As part of her work with the Speak for Success Women's Leadership Institute, Lana Culliver goes to homeless shelters, prisons and schools to speak to women who have experienced domestic violence about how they can leave the situation and overcome obstacles.

"It let me know that my work makes a difference, not only to the women I speak to but also to my 12-year-old son," Culliver said about her son's essays. Her son's essay won top honors in the contest's elementary school division.

"He's a very caring young man," she said.

When he isn't writing essays about how great his mom is, Tyler enjoys spending time with his new green parrot, skateboarding and video games, and he recently began taking gymnastics classes.

Below is an excerpt from his essay.

"One of the reasons I love my mom so much is because of the sacrifices she has made for me and my brighter and sister.

We used to live in Florida, but we came to California five years ago to starts a new life because of domestic violence.

My father was very mean to her so they split up. When we got here we didn’t have any money or any place to live. I think my mom had about $30. We stayed in shelter like St. Vincent de Paul and the YWCA Cortex Hill program and my brother and sister and I went to school at Monarch School which is a special school for homeless kids. It took us a little more than two years to get our own apartment, but when we did we were so happy."

Galen Steinhoff, an eighth grader at Sacred Heart Parish School, wrote an essay about how her mother puts family before her career in law and takes care of her elders.

At an awards ceremony recognizing San Diego's 50 Best Moms, Galen was accompanied by her mother Gean, her 87-year-old grandmother and her English teacher at Sacred Heart, Deborah Nordlie.

Gean said she was surprised to find out her daughter wrote something, since 13 isn't typically the age when children are very appreciate of their parents.

"Initially I was a little embarrassed but it's a great honor especially that a sort of self-absorbed 13-year-old would actually acknowledge what you do," she said.

"I could see it more if she was in high school or something but she wrote an essay appreciating the car pools and taking care of family," Gean said.

Galen likes to play basketball, enjoys photography and science and would like to become a physician someday.

Below is an excerpt from her essay.

"It is beyond special to have a mother like mine in your life. 

Mothers teach us right from wrong and help us grow up to be morally good and loving people. When I was young, she began to teach me lessons about love, work and family. 

She wanted me to be successful and have the right morals and priorities.  I have learned a lot of lessons from my mother in the choices she has made. I know more lessons are to be learned."

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