Being a mom is no easy feat.

Moms are important and deserve to be recognized, hence, the annual tradition of the Best Mom InMaricopa contest sponsored by Karsten’s Maricopa ACE Hardware. Fifteen Maricopa moms were nominated by husbands, kids or friends. A panel of judges voted and three of the many deserving mothers were recognized as the “best” this Mother’s Day. 

“It’s great, we kind of see it as just a great community engagement opportunity and a perfect tie in to just honor mothers,” said Dave Karsten, owner of Karsten’s ACE Hardware, “To be able to make that connection and just say, ‘hey, this person’s pretty special,’ and they want to share that with us. So, it’s a good way to do it.”

Karsten also brought his son, Zach, along as co-owner in the last year. This was the first community event he has been a part of since taking that role.

“This is the first time I’ve heard of any kind of event like this in any community,” Zach said. “It’s awesome to be a part of it.”

These three women were honored at an awards presentation ceremony at Karsten’s Ace Hardware, 21542 N. John Wayne Pkwy., May 10. They even honored and praised eachother for their hard work as mothers at the end of the event.  

1st place — Jessica Ward, Mom of 3 

When asked what it meant to named best mom in Maricopa this year, this Desert Passage mom could only sum up the feeling with one word: “Surprised.” 

“It’s wonderful to be nominated,” Ward said while standing next to her 7-, 11- and 13-year-old children, Julia, Carter, Brooklynn and her husband, Craig, who nominated her. She said it was a shock as she tends to “stand in the shadows.”  

Jessica, an elementary school teacher at Saddleback Elementary, has shown Craig “what it truly means to be the very best you can be for your children, to be strong, and always looking at the good in any situation,” he said.  

Those situations come as serious uncertainty. Jessica recently had brain surgery to have a brain tumor removed and is halfway done with chemotherapy, Craig explained.  

“One minute you’re at your son’s football game on a Friday night and the next moment you’re driving to the emergency room not knowing what is in store for you,” he said in his nomination.  

Her son Carter, 11, said his mom is superior because she takes care of her kiddos and gives them what they want: “Shes just a great one, the best ever.” 

2nd place — Amy Schroeder, Mom of 2 

It’s been a running joke in Schroeder’s Lakes at Rancho El Dorado cul-de-sac that Amy Schroder, the mom of 13-year-old Matthew and 12-year-old McKenna, would never take home the title as the Best Mom InMaricopa.  

“We’re old school and we just raised our kids a little differently than everybody else,” Amy said. “We thought we’d never get nominated.” 

Her husband, Larry, nominated her in this year’s competition and didn’t tell her.  

She thought she was stopping at Karstens Ace Hardware as an arrand to pick up a friend some tools. Even after she walked in and saw all of the prizes laid out on a table for this contest she said, “Oh look, I didn’t win again this year,” with a chuckle. “Actually, you did,” Larry said.  

“Being a mom to two active dual-sport athletes like Matthew and McKenna is a marathon in itself. Juggling Ninja Mom, Softball Mom, Volleyball Mom, and Esports Mom duties requires a level of energy and dedication that’s truly inspiring,” Larry said in his nomination. “You’re their biggest cheerleader and support system, guiding them through practices, games, and all their passions.” 

Amy has also recently taken on the role as a bus driver for Kyrene Unified School District because she knew there was a shortage of buses to bring Maricopa kids, including her own, up to campus. She drives that infamous stretch several times a day now. 

“She just does everything that she can to take care of our family, including being a bus driver” McKenna said. 

3rd place —Janet Hook, Mom of 4 

There’s a common theme among all of these moms, and they all have taken care of their kids no matter what. Janet Hook of the Lakes at Rancho El Dorado is no different.  

“As a resilient cancer survivor living with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and pancreatic issues, her strength and perseverance shine through in everything she does,” her husband Michael Hawks said, adding she “is a devoted mother to four wonderful sons, two biological and two adopted, wholeheartedly embracing the diverse needs of her family, including her three high-functioning autistic children.” 

Janet attended the event with two of her children, Damian, 19, and Alexander, 14, and her husband. She wasn’t expecting to be awarded anything but was thankful. 

Often milling the flour for fresh homemade bread every day, Janet “works super hard…she just deserved to be recognized,” Michael said.  

“I do what I do just because I do what I do,” Janet said. “It’s what I do for them and because it’s a part of our life every day.” 

The best moms got the best gifts

Ward was awarded the grand prize package that included her first choice from three items gifted from Karsten’s Ace Hardware. She chose the Ooni 2 wood pellet outdoor pizza oven, and many other local businesses added to the haul: 

• $200 off electric bill from Electrical District 3 

• $200 gift certificate from Copa Mattress & Furniture 

• Free 90-minute massage at Trend Salon from 911 Air Repair

• Gift certificate for free laser hair removal sessions from Maricopa Wellness Center 

• Custom gift basket from Justin Greer, LRA Real Estate 

• Free large pizza from Raceway Bar & Grill  

• $50 gift card to Raceway Bar & Grill, bouquet of flowers and summer wine cup from InMaricopa 

• $50 gift card to Honeycutt Coffee from Mike’s Irrigation 

• $50 gift card to Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers from Venzor Roofing 

• $50 from Rili-B‘s Taco Shop 

• Free 18” 4-topping thin crust pizza from Rosati’s 

Shroeder was awarded the second place package that included her second choice in prizes from Karsten’s Ace Hardware. She chose a pair of living accents faux gray wood frame rocking chairs. The rest of the haul included: 

• One-year of free high-speed internet from Orbitel
• Gift card and bottle of Pizzolato Italian Spumante Brut Rose, charcuterie board and wine opener from Mandy’s Wine Bar.
• Free 90-minute massage at Trend Salon from 911 Air
• Gift certificate for free laser hair removal sessions from Maricopa Wellness Center
• Free large pizza from Raceway Bar & Grill
• $50 gift card to Raceway Bar & Grill, bouquet of flowers and summer wine cup from InMaricopa
• $50 gift card to Honeycutt Coffee from Mike’s Irrigation
• $50 gift card to Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers from Venzor Roofing
• $50 from Rili-B’s Taco Shop
• Free 18” 4-topping thin crust pizza from Rosati’s

Hook was awarded the third-place package and a Craftsman 2400psi electric pressure washer from Karstens Ace Hardware, a prize that she jokingly admitted she could return the other one she’s been borrowing for quite a while. On top of that, other local businesses gifted:  

• Free 90-minute massage at Trend Salon from 911 Air 

• Gift certificate for free laser hair removal sessions from Maricopa Wellness Center 

• Free A/C check or Free Synthetic Oil Change from AAMCO 

• Free large pizza from Raceway Bar & Grill  

• $50 gift card to Raceway Bar & Grill, bouquet of flowers and summer wine cup from InMaricopa 

• $50 gift card to Honeycutt Coffee from Mike’s Irrigation 

• $50 gift card to Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers from Venzor Roofing 

• $50 from Rili-B’s Taco Shop 

• $25 Starbucks gift card and extra large tumbler from Exceptional Healthcare 

• Free 18” 4-topping thin crust pizza from Rosati’s