Thanks, Mom: LI high school athletes pay tribute for Mother's Day

Each Mother’s Day, Newsday invites Long Island high school student-athletes to honor their mothers with personal letters.

The scripts vary in each case but overall, they tell the same story of love, respect and appreciation. There is an outpouring of gratitude and admiration for time spent juggling demanding work schedules, home life and dedication to a student’s daily needs.

A mom is the one who understands the things you say and do and always sees the best in you. A mom is the one who supports and nurtures unconditionally. Our student-athletes understand the greatest treasure known is the mom they call their own.

Happy Mother’s Day!

-- Gregg Sarra

To: Marissa Rodriguez

From: Dunia Sibomana, Long Beach wrestling

Dear Nani, Happy Mother’s Day!

 I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I am blessed to have been adopted by you and Coach (Miguel Rodriguez). My life changed forever when I met you. Even though you are not my biological mother, you are the mother figure in my life and I couldn't be happier. You’ve helped me with my homework, especially working on my English. You've helped me become a better reader and writer. Thank you for always cooking my food and driving me all over the place for wrestling and school. I want to say thank you for driving me to the doctor when I had my surgery.

You’ve given me everything I need to have a happy life. Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you and putting time in for me to become a Rodriguez. I'm super thankful for my little sister Stella. She is the best thing that anyone could ask for and has helped me become a better person and brother. Stella and I are very proud and very lucky to have you in our lives. You are the best mother anyone could ask for.

Nani, I just want to say thank you for everything. You are amazing in everything you’ve done for me. I love you and appreciate you! I am and will always be your sunshine.

Love you, Dunia

To: Regine John

From: Ryan John, Valley Stream North track and field

Dear Mom,

You bear the title for the most extraordinary woman that has ever existed in the history of the world. There aren’t even remotely enough words in the English language to recount how much I appreciate everything you have set forth for me. From educating me to be a better person in life, to the endless support in sports, to ensuring that I have a proper education, you have been a crucial aspect of my life, every step of the way. You have never tried to bring me down and always do whatever you can to assure my happiness. This is especially true in track and field. You will make sure that I am equipped with everything that I need to be successful, whenever I need it. You will sacrifice hours on end to get me to any special invitational or championship event, even when time is not in our favor.

You are my biggest supporter, above anyone in the world. You will make sure  to be on top of the standings, and ask me about my meets, even when you cannot be in attendance physically. I love you more than anything else in this world, and I hope that all of my hard work and dedication that I have  put in, each and every day makes you proud of me and my accomplishments. I cannot thank you enough for your commitment to be there for me. Grateful, in my eyes, is an understatement because you mean much more than that to me.

Love, Ryan

To: Marie Noel

From: Gloria and Victoria Guerrier, West Hempstead girls track and field

Dear Mom,

Whether it's waking up early on Saturday mornings to drive us to track practice even though you worked the entire night and your head only touched the pillow for 5 minutes, or breaking the wallet to purchase spikes (for TWO people), your enduring support in all aspects of our lives, especially for track, has served as the catalyst for all of our accomplishments. Even though you may not always make it to all of our meets because of work, you make sure to call us while on your quick breaks during your shift to ask about our races. After a successful meet, we always look at calling you on the phone and relay our victory for you to scream “NO WAYYY! Good Job!” Even more telling is your enthusiasm. You love to boast about our achievements at church, and constantly demand pictures of our medals to update your whatsapp profile.

We are accustomed to two entirely different cultures, languages, and values. But the effort you put in to understand and support us despite these barriers are truly remarkable. You used to not know the difference between a 400- and 600-meter [event], and your hilarious comments like “why do you run 3 laps [for indoor track]? Only run one lap so you don’t get so tired!” were so amusing. But through your sincere effort, you are now an expert on the difference between mid-distance and sprinting events.

We couldn’t have reached this far without your prevailing support and we are greatly thankful to have you in our lives.

Love, Victoria and Gloria

To: Melissa Lo Faso

From: Cira Arcangel, Sachem North sophomore, Sachem girls bowling

Dear Mom,

Happy Mother’s Day! I can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve taught and done for me. I could not be the person I am today without the drive and push you give me each day to work harder and be a better person. You truly are my inspiration and always will be. The countless hours of driving me to tournaments, the early mornings and late nights, and helping me to put the dedication I have into bowling is something that I will never be able to thank you enough for. Through the good and bad days I have in bowling, I know that you will always be standing there watching my every single shot and always encouraging me.

You have always pushed me on my off days to do better. I can only imagine how hard it is as a nurse, yet you always find time to support me in achieving my dreams. You truly are a hero to me and I am so lucky to be raised by such an amazing person. You always put others before yourself and truly do not get the credit you deserve. You push through every day and always find a way to make the days brighter. Even after long tiring days, you get what needs to be done for my brother and me, and you make sure we have what we need.  I will truly never be able to do what you do, but I am extremely grateful to be by your side each and every day.

You are my best friend and someone I always look up to. I love you always and I hope you have a Happy Mother’s Day.

Love, Cira

To: Annette Jones-Williams

From: C.J. Williams, Friends Academy basketball

Dear Mom,

There aren’t words that express how much I appreciate and how much you’ve done for me. From the time I was very young, you always made sure I had a set morals to live my life by. Listening the first time, always telling the truth, and being kind to others, are things that I’ll never forget and I’ll always be grateful to you for instilling them in me.

You also always made sure I was ahead of the curve. You made sure I always did my school work. As I got older and started to take interest in sports, you were always there to support me. Not only did you support me by cheering me on in the stands, you also supported me when I was feeling down after big losses. You taught me the value of a loss. That you shouldn’t dwell, but learn and improve. I’ve taken that mindset and applied to many other aspects of life outside of sports. When I started to struggle with school my freshman year, you were there for me again and reassured me that there was no situation that I couldn’t handle. Even recently, you’ve been so helpful in applying to schools and helping me find a place where I will be comfortable and able to grow.

Mother’s Day is a day where we’re supposed to celebrate our mothers and what they’ve done for us. Although words can’t describe how I feel, I hope you appreciate this letter.

Love, CJ

To: Karen Birner

From: Sarah Birner, East Islip softball

Dear Mom,

I want to start off with thank you. There is nothing in the world we cannot accomplish together. There is no one else that I would want to wake up every day to and know is forever by my side.

After everything you have helped me through the last 16 years and specifically through the last couple months, I will forever be grateful to have someone as loving, selfless, dedicated and perfect as my mom than you. Not just anyone can stick around to deal with me and Danielle.

Genuinely, you are my biggest inspiration to be the strongest and most perfect version of myself. You're the reason I strive to work my hardest in softball, in track, in work, my relationships, and in my everyday life. I do all this to prove you have been the best mom imaginable and have done everything in your power to make me the best person I can be.

Thank you for always being there for me when I need someone to rant to, gossip to, confide in, cook with, shop with and look up to as an example of someone I want to be for my kids and in the future. Even though I don't say it all the time or act like it when I am stressed, I love you and you will forever be my favorite person.

Love, Sarah

To: Kristin Paul

From: Gianna Paul, Whitman girls soccer

Dear Mom,

It sounds so typical and overdone and cliché to say you are my hero. But it’s true. Everything I’ve done, everything I continue to do, and everything coming in my future has been a mirror reflection of your hard work and perseverance and I think as an athlete and individual, my life will be composed of trying to make you as proud as possible. 

To say that we are close is an understatement. We think the same things and finish each other’s sentences and somehow always seem to know how the other is feeling. It is so rewarding to have a mom and a best friend all wrapped in one. Throughout everything we have endured as a family, I look at you and see a fighter. Someone who is more than willing to risk everything for our family. The sacrifices you’ve made to see me live out the life I do today have been numerous, but never go unnoticed. The long hours working day and night. The long 4-5 hour drives to Massachusetts or New Jersey or Pennsylvania or Connecticut every weekend for just one soccer game. The flights across the country to watch me play at showcase after showcase. The words of advice when I’m crying and need guidance. You have always been there. For 17 years I have looked to you for help and I know without a shadow of a doubt that you will continue to be there.

There is truly no one like you. I don’t think I’ll ever meet another soul like yours. The way you love is a force unstoppable by anything else. I appreciate you today and every other day for the rest of my life. I love you always.

Love, Gi