By: BHS Features Staff
March 6, 2024
March is Women’s History Month, and it is important to celebrate and honor all of the women who have gone through their personal struggles and sacrifices to make this world a better place.
In years past, the Features Staff selected certain female role models (nationally-known) by acknowledging their contributions to society. For this year, however, we decided to highlight the strong women in our lives, including a section from Mr. Holko.
*Angelina honors her mom, Milagros Santana.
“My mother is one of the strongest people I know. She has become someone I look up to because of what she has been through. The reason why she is one of the strongest people I know is because she has dealt with abuse and messed up relationships, but my mother was able to grow from her mess-ups and traumas to raise me the best she could. Yes, she wasn’t the perfect parent, but at the same time to me, she is the best person for me. No matter what she is dealing with, she is still able to wake up in the morning with a smile on her face and work to make sure we are in a good place. She has taught me to use my own mess-ups and traumas as fuel to grow and become stronger. She is someone I look up to as a hero. She still manages to be the best mother anyone can ask for. For that, I love my mother, and I love the person I’m becoming because of what I have learned from her.”
*Chloe R. honors her mom, Crystal Williams.
“My mom has been through many things in the last few years, and I would like to show her how much I appreciate her. She has been through many doctor appointments such as eight total chemotherapy appointments, which would be every other week. Then, she would have to go through radiation for four weeks, Monday through Friday. She was already at high risk of getting sick because she basically had the immune system of a child, so it didn’t help that it was during Covid; this was just a scary experience, all around. This took a big toll on me because I was scared of losing her, and I don’t quite know what I would do if I would’ve lost her. It was just a lot to handle because I was doing school online. I was barely up for my classes, and if I was, I would eventually go back to sleep, so my grades really weren’t the best. I really think going through that really made me realize how bad I was doing in school, and that’s not like myself. Before that, I usually passed with A’s, B’s, and C’s, most of the time. She always mentioned my missing assignments over and over again for me to even do them. Now, she doesn’t even check ProgressBook everyday like she used to. I am now doing better than ever with straight A’s, while closing out the third marking period. My mom has been cancer-free ever since, but she still has some side effects from the chemo and radiation. I help more around the house because I know when she comes home from work, she’s already tired and has to cook for us, so I always make sure the dishes are clean and put away just how they are supposed to be. She has done so much for me and our family, so this is my way of saying Thank You!”
*Bella honors her grandma, Joyce Akiyoshi.
“My grandma is one of the biggest role models in my life, and I look up to her everyday. She has gone through a lot in her life to make her the strong woman she is today. Not only have her struggles made her incredible, but also, her kind heart defines her, too. Although we don’t see each other often, some things we enjoy doing together are getting coffee, going on walks, and shopping. My grandma inspires me to be a better person everyday; she has always put others first because that is just the kind soul she is. She always knows how to put a smile on my face and brighten my day. I cherish every moment spent with her knowing it’s not often we get to see each other. She is very important to me. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t even be close to the person I am today. I do everything for her and always try to make her proud.”
*Chloe P. honors her mom, Stephanie Pawul.
“My mother is the one person I have looked up to my entire life. Growing up, my mom had a harder life, and she made sure that her kids never had to live the life she had to. She has always made me and my brother her first priority and has always done everything in her power to make us happy. Despite all of the personal battles my mom faces, she never lets it reflect onto me or anyone else around her. My mother has been my biggest inspiration throughout my entire life, and I would not be where I am today mentally without her. My mother has taught me so many different life lessons throughout my life, even if they were things I didn’t want to learn. My mom has always been a shoulder to lean on for me, and she has never judged me or made my feelings go invalidated. My mom has been by my side through the good, the bad, and the in-between, and I appreciate her more than words could ever explain.”
*Mr. Holko honors his mom and his wife.
“My mom is the definition of what a true mom is: Loving, kind, selfless, and others-centered. Throughout my life, I could and can always count on her for love, support, and guidance. She was a teacher, a stay-at-home mom, and my biggest fan. She has taught me how to work hard for what I want, to focus on the positives, and to take care of my family. I inherited a stubborn gene from her, but what I have learned over the years is that stubborn people are rarely taken advantage of, and this is true for my entire family. I love my mom so much, and I thank God that I am fortunate and blessed to call her Mom.”
“Another woman in my life who has meant the world to me is my wife. Meeting her for the first time at Baldwin Wallace College (now University) in 1999, there was something about her that I latched onto. Her smile, laugh, and personality are contagious. I knew that I wanted her to one day become my wife. Fast forward to 2005, we both said ‘I do!’ and the rest is history. Approaching 19 years of marriage and raising a wonderful, energetic, and athletic little boy, I love this life that we live. Simply, she is a saint to put up with all of my shenanigans, but she has no idea the impact that she has had in my life. Once again, I am blessed to call her my wife and the mother of my son.”
Without all of these women in our lives, we would not be who we are today. They all mean the world to us, and we are so thankful for them.
To all of you mentioned above and to all of our women subscribers, Happy Women’s Month!
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 