CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The mother of a Wisconsin senior has been crowned the inaugural Amelia Alpiner Stern Mom of the Year at the University of Illinois.
Jeanne Liska, of Delafield, Wis., was crowned at the Moms Association's Moms Weekend kick-off dinner tonight (April 11). She received an engraved plaque.
Allison Liska, a senior in music education and instrumental music, described in her nomination essay the extensive care her mother gave her while she was bedridden for three weeks with a severe illness.
"My mom selflessly gave up her life, job, friends and husband to care for me for weeks while I recovered," Allison wrote. "She slept on my horrible couch and caught a cold, but it remained her primary objective to keep me healthy.
"It breaks my heart to think of the stress I put her through."
Jeanne Lisak has been involved in parent organizations throughout Allison's elementary and secondary education, including the local Girl Scouts, PTA and Orchestra Parents' Association, the nomination said.
Heather Mangian, of Savoy, and Nancy Barberis, of Warrenville, also were honored at the banquet as finalists.
Twenty nominations were considered by a committee of seven that included Moms Association members and U. of I. students and staff members.
The Mom of the Year award - named for the founder of the Moms Association -recognizes the support , encouragement and inspiration that mothers offer their students. For many years, the Illini Union Board honored a Queen Mom during Moms Weekend, but discontinued that tradition this year.