Letters to Mom from Long Island high schooI athletes for Mother's Day

To: Tawana Jones

From Jada Hood: Brentwood, girls basketball

Dear Mom,

Words can’t describe how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for me. Your support on and off the court helped me become the person I am today. Starting from something as small as being there for my first basketball game, to watching me make my college decision. You helped me gain confidence, especially during the times where I felt like I couldn’t succeed. You will forever be my motivation to keep pushing through every challenge that I face.

Even though you always have work, you found a way to fix your schedule to be there for me whenever I needed. You’re willing to go that extra mile to make sure I’m the best version of myself. Thank you for all the motivational speeches, the money that you spent and the laughs when I’m not feeling 100%. Without you I don’t know if I would be the person that I am today. I will forever be proud to call you my mother, best friend and my biggest role model.

I love you always and forever. Happy Mother’s Day.

Love,  Jada

To: Janine Isaac

From: Alexa Isaac, Bellmore JFK, badminton

Dear Mom,

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much you mean to me and how much I appreciate everything you do. You've always been there for me. Lately, l've been thinking about just how much it means to have you by my side, especially during my badminton matches.

Seeing you in the crowd at my badminton matches, cheering me on, makes me so happy. Whether I win or lose, knowing you're there makes all the difference. I know you're busy and have so many things going on, but the fact that you make the time to come out and support me through every match means the world to me.

It's not just about the matches. It's the way you always listen, the way you encourage me and the way you somehow know exactly what I need, even when I don't say it out loud. I feel so lucky to have you as my mom.

You are truly the best mom a girl could ever ask for. Your support, kindness and strength inspire me everyday.

Thank you for being my biggest fan, my role model and my safe place. I love you more than words can describe.

XOXO your favorite daughter, Alexa Isaac

To: Karin Timberlake

From: Chase Timberlake, Baldwin, boys basketball

Dear Mom,

There aren’t enough words, gifts, texts or hugs to truly show how much I love you and how thankful I am. Your constant love and support — on and off the court — mean everything to me.

You're always the first one up and the last to go to bed, constantly putting others before yourself. The effort you’ve poured into helping me succeed, whether it’s driving me to practice or going on long road trips — even though basketball isn’t your thing — has never gone unnoticed. The videos and motivational quotes you send me every day might seem small, but they’ve made a big impact. They push me to be a better player and an even better person.

No matter how busy life gets, I’ve always been able to count on you. Through light or dark times, your positive energy and spirit have lifted me up and inspired me to chase bigger goals, both as an athlete and as a person. I may not say it enough, but I’m truly grateful for your unconditional love and for always believing in me.

You’ve always been my biggest fan and strongest supporter, and I know that won’t ever change. As my time at Baldwin comes to an end, I realize just how much of a difference you’ve made — not just in my life, but in the lives of so many others. You’ve been a second mom to my friends and a mentor to people who really needed one.

I’m so lucky to have you. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

Love, Chase

To: Patell Welsh

From: Brooke-Lynn Murray, Bay Shore, girls wrestling

Dear Mom,

On this special day, I wanted to take my time to express my love and gratitude to the person that means the most to me, and that’s you.

From supporting my kid wrestling days in North Babylon, all the way to now, eight years later still supporting everything I do. Through the long drives, long tournaments in loud gyms, and even getting stuck in the airport, you still continue to stay by my side and show me that special unconditional love only a mother can give every step of the way.

I can still remember the day our journey really began. After my first match and first loss in middle school, you told me I had a choice to make. You said, “You either cry and quit, or you strive to be better for next time.” Even in that moment you pushed me to be the best version of myself.

As you follow me and my journey through high school, we continue to learn more and more about each other with every waking moment. Though I don’t say it enough, I don’t know what I would do without my favorite person and travel partner by my side.

And as I come closer to my senior year, I hope we continue to create and cherish every memory this sport and this bond has gifted us. Thank you for being the best mom not only a girl, but a girl wrestler can ask for. Happy Mother’s Day!

Love Forever and Always, Brooke-Lynn (BK)

TO: Jennifer Morris

FROM: Amanda Morris, East Meadow, girls bowling

Dear Mom,

To say you’re my role model is an understatement. Whether it comes to the plethora of college degrees you hold or the way you push yourself to excellence every day, it's beyond admirable. Through it all, you've continuously supported me in every single aspect of my life. I have made my best memories with you, many revolving around my athletic career.

Whether it comes to league, high school matches or tournaments across the country, you are there for it all. There's never been a point when I look back from my shot and you’re not there smiling at me with excitement and nerves, hoping for my success. I remember the first time I won counties as a freshman, having no clue I won and being told by you that “you don’t know what you just did, did you?” to find out I won. That same memory replayed this year as a senior, when I looked at you with a smile and you told me that I was a county champion again.

You have battled through so much, continuing to go through the highs and lows of life at extreme, but regardless of what happens, you always show up. You bring me what I need, are my source of comfort and give me the love I wish every child could experience from their mom.

Mom, you deserve everything kind from the world endlessly. I love you so much!

Love, Amanda

To: Shawnette Costarelli

From: Thomas Costarelli, East Islip, baseball

Happy Mother's Day to the best mom out there. I am forever grateful for everything you've done for me not just in baseball but in life. All of the time and money you've put in for me to be successful will never go unnoticed. You always put our family first and you've taught me many valuable life lessons that will stick with me in the future and will help me be successful.

There's never a day where you fail to put a smile on everyone's face around you. All of the bad days I've had as an athlete, you always had my back and I will forever be grateful for that. Even when you couldn't make it to some of my games, the first person to reach out after would always be you. I've been faced with many challenges as an athlete and even when I didn't believe in myself you were always right by my side letting me know I can do it.

You have been a huge reason for my success as an athlete and without you I wouldn't be the player or person I am today. You are my #1 role model and as I get older and challenges get harder i will always know you will be right by my side supporting me.

The best part of winning for me is knowing I'm making you proud and there is no better feeling than seeing your mom in the stands jumping up and down because she's so happy for you. I love you mom and I will keep making you proud every day.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Love, Thomas

To: Jackie White

From: Kaiden White, Islip, track and field

Dear Mom,

To put everything you have done for me into one letter is impossible. Since I came into this Earth, you have done everything in your power to make me the person I am today. You have put me before anything and made sure you were able to make it to every event that I have done. You are someone I look up to everyday and admire to be like. You are an amazing mother. Without your help and sacrifices, I wouldn’t be able to accomplish the things I have done. I have learned so much from you that I can apply to my daily life and my future. The life lessons you have taught me have been very valuable and something I will cherish forever.

You have been there through all my ups and downs and been with me through every moment in my life. We have traveled all over together for vacation and track meets. The memories that we make together is something that I love and wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. The bond that I have made with you is something that's unbreakable and we will have forever. 

I love you and have a Happy Mother’s Day.

Love, Kaiden