Chavi Lee, Neosho, received a Mother’s Day surprise on Friday after being named this year’s May Day Mom recipient.

Her daughter, Jatime Medrano, a third grader from George Washington Carver Elementary School, nominated her in an essay contest sponsored by the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce and open to all second and third grade students in either the Neosho R-5 School District or the Neosho Christian Schools.

“My mom is the best mom ever,” Jatime said. “I think that I should write a really, really, really good story about her.”

After hearing about the comments from her daughter, Chavi was thrilled and proud.

“I am really proud of her,” said Chavi. “I always knew that she was something special. She is very talented and smart. She is a special girl.”

Jatime’s essay was chosen out of 400 entries. Her unedited comments follow: “My Personal Super Hero. The reason my mom should be may day mom is because she is like a mom to all my friends.  When I walk inside she starts to brush my hair and we play uno on some occasions.  We have girl time together.  And when we go somewhere we sing in the car together.  She gives me good food to eat so I’ll be healthy.  And on Fridays we go to the library get some books and a movie and some pizza.  She catches me whenever I fall.  She warns me about the bad things and tells me about the good things.  She sends me to bed early.  She wakes me up at sunrise.  She likes to play with my hair.  My mom is my super and please give her a chance.  She really deserves this.  And thats why my mom needs to be may day mom.”
Jatime was asked what makes her mother so special.

“She tells me rights from wrongs, she gives me good things, good food, she keeps me healthy, she loves me and that is why she is the best mom ever,” said Jatime.
After accepting the distinct honor on Friday at the chamber’s office, the mother and the daughter were treated to a limousine ride around the area, where they picked up prizes from area merchants. Participating merchants were:  Advantage Health Care, Avon Independent Rep. – Veronica Shellenberger, Beck Floral, Classy Collectibles, Curves, Edgewood Bowl, Family Pharmacy of Neosho, Farmer’s Insurance Group – Parks Agency, Freeman Southwest Family YMCA, Front Page, Hardee’s, Jarden Consumer Solutions, Jon’s Pharmacy, McDonald’s, Mills Park Centre, Neosho Gifts Etcetera, Peking Garden, Pro-Lube Maintenance Center, Silhouette Imaging and WXY Sporting Goods.

The family has only lived in Missouri for three years, moving form Portland, Ore.

“We like to play with each other, drive around, go shopping and do art projects,” Chavi said. “I really love her a lot, she is a very special little girl to me (saying with a smile),”

This is the 20th year that the May Day Mom promotion has been going on.

There were three other honorable mention essays announced on Friday: third grade Carver student Cheyenne Smidt, daughter of Treada McLean, South Elementary School third grade student Hunter Hames, son of Dixie Hames and Carver third grade student Mandy Merideith, daughter of Tammy Merideith.