Letters to Mom from Long Island high schooI student-athletes for Mother's Day
St. Anthony's softball player Bella Cruz, left, and St. Dominic baseball player Matt Cruz, right, show their love for their mom, Denise Cruz. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
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.
These student-athletes understand the greatest treasure known is the mom they call their own.
TO: DENISE CRUZ
FROM: BELLA AND MATT CRUZ
St. Anthony's softball and St. Dominic baseball
Dear Momma,
Celebrating you is so easy. We don’t only speak for ourselves when we say that your presence simply lights up every room that you walk into. You’re funny, empathetic, understanding, but most importantly, you hold the greatest trait of them all, supportive. We would be absolutely nowhere without your constant guidance and support. Although sometimes it’s not what we want to hear, we always understand that “Momma knows best.” Not only are you supportive toward us and our family, but your willingness to help and serve others, whether it’s our teammates, your students or anyone that comes in your direction, does not go unnoticed. If we could wish for one thing in this world, it’s that everyone gains a mother-figure that can also fulfill the role of a best friend. Having you to go to for advice, a laugh or a lunch date is the best gift we could ever ask for. Our weekend drives to tournaments, hours sitting in airports and hotel stays will be memories that we cherish forever. With all these moments built up we can truly say that you’re our best friend. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us and everything you continue to do. We will continue making you proud, Momma.
Love, Bella and Matty
Sofia Burns and her mother Alisa at their home in Smithtown. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
TO: ALISA BURNS
FROM: SOFIA BURNS
Hauppauge-Smithtown swimming
Dear Mom,
Thank you for the years of support and encouragement with school and swimming. I appreciate all you have done for me and the numerous hours you have dedicated to helping me succeed. Through my ups and downs, you have always been there for me. You have consistently given me positive reinforcement even when I’ve had a tough meet. When looking for colleges to swim at, you spent hours helping me research, reach out, and travel to numerous schools to help find a place I loved. Your help with finding colleges and helping me put together emails is the sole reason I was able to accomplish my goal of swimming Division I (Bucknell). When my suit ripped at a championship meet, you decided to drive to a shop to purchase a new one just so I had a good suit to swim in. At times where I have wanted to give up, you were always there to push me to keep going. Without your help and encouragement, I would never have made it to where I am now. You constantly put me before yourself and I admire your selflessness. Thank you for driving me to far-away meets and competitions to watch me perform. I am so grateful to have a mother who wants to see me thrive and will do anything to help me succeed. I love the time spent with you. You are always my number one cheerleader. I love you!
Love, Sofia
Mariah Brand jumps on the trampoline with her mother, Janet, at their Selden home. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
TO: JANET BRAND
FROM: MARIAH BRAND
Middle Country gymnastics
Dear Mom,
As my gymnastics career begins to come to an end, I begin to remind myself of how far I’ve come, all thanks to you! You have truly been the greatest supporter along this journey. From bringing me to practice to never missing a meet, I have never had to wonder if you supported me.
Our time spent together will be something I’ll always cherish. I am grateful for our car rides together where I get to introduce you to new music I’ve been enjoying. Our shared uncontrollable laughs will always brighten my day. Being able to be completely myself around you is something that I know many kids are not fortunate enough to have.
Getting to know you for the person that you are, not just as a mom, has been incredible. You are unbelievably selfless, always willing to help others even before you help yourself. You care so deeply about those that you love and are truly someone they can rely on. I have learned everything I know about love from you and Dad. Although I don’t always admit it, you truly are my best friend. I am eternally grateful for you each day. You have truly been the rock for our family and have never let us down. Thank you for being the best mom anyone could ask for!
Love you always,
Mariah
Commack's Sebastian Trent with his mother, Anna Maria Trent. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
TO: ANNA MARIA TRENT
FROM: SEBASTIAN TRENT
Commack soccer
Dear Mom,
On this special day, I want to take a moment to express the deepest gratitude for everything you do. Your selflessness and support have been the backbone of our family. You've made countless sacrifices without a second thought, always putting our needs ahead of your own. It's your unwavering love that has shaped me into the person I am today. I'm so grateful that you reflect your personality on me. Thank you for being tough on me, to push to be the best person I can be. Your lessons of kindness and perseverance resonate in every step I take. I appreciate everything you do for our family, from long hours of work to coming home to cook us dinner, being tired and driving me to practice, the early mornings for soccer games, the countless times I annoy you. The list goes on and it doesn’t do justice for what you do for us.
On Mother's Day, I hope you feel the joy and appreciation you so richly deserve. May this day be a reflection of the love you've given, filled with warmth, laughter, and the company of those who cherish you most. You are more than a mother; you are a life-giver, a dream supporter, and a role model for me. Please know that every day, not just today, I am thankful for you. My hope is that we can give back a fraction of the happiness you've given to us. Mother’s Day is such a special day for our family to recognize the hard work you have done for us. Thank you for everything you have done for me and words can’t express my love for you.
With much love,
Sebastian
Gabriel Beschloss (right) and his mother, Donatellla, at their home on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Credit: Neil Miller
TO: DONATELLA BESCHLOSS
FROM: GABRIEL BESCHLOSS
Garden City baseball
Dear Mom,
Happy Mother's Day! I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for being such an incredible mom. Your love and support means the world to me, especially when I'm feeling down or upset. You always know how to comfort me and make everything better. Your amazing cooking is unlike any other and is another reason why I'm so grateful to have you as my mom. Every night, I look forward to sitting down to a delicious meal. Your amazing cooking never disappoints.
Your kindness and sympathetic nature inspires me every day to be a better person. I dedicate so much of my success in baseball and life to you. You taught me to always approach everything with a positive attitude and treat everyone with kindness. Without you, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I'm so thankful to have you in my life, and I want to thank you for everything you do for our family. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
Love, Gabe
Kristin Reid hugging her son, Carter Wilson, after reading the letter he wrote her for Mother's Day.
TO: KRISTIN REID
FROM: CARTER WILSON
Bay Shore basketball
Dear Mom,
I don’t know how I could just put 17 years of unconditional love and support into one letter. The amount of life lessons you have taught me. The amount of practices and workouts and games you have brought me to. And you don’t even know everything about basketball. From sending me videos of how to shoot better and just become a better person and player. It just means a lot that you were there, along for the journey. From all the road trips and all the times we just sat together talking about how I could be better. The times you made me see things in a different perspective, just to expand the way I think and learn how to be better on the court.
But more importantly, the things you taught me off the court. From helping me tie my shoe to always being respectful to people. To always be me no matter what room I'm in. Those are more important lessons than anything basketball could teach me. Those things I will take with me for the rest of my life. I told you and Dad that when I came back to Bay Shore I was going to make it memorable. And I did. You’ve been there during all my great games and all the bad games. Even if you don’t understand, sometimes you can always see the bright side of the game, see when I'm frustrated, and always find a way to cheer me up in the game. But the things you have taught me off the court I will take forever.
Love, Carter
Jules Peterson with her mom, Joan Peterson, at Massapequa High School. Credit: David Meisenholder
TO: JOAN PETERSON
FROM: JULES PETERSON
Massapequa soccer, flag football
Dear Mom,
There are not enough words I can say to thank you for all that you have done for me the past 17 years. Starting when I was just a young girl you put a soccer ball at my feet. Never did I think it would become so much more than just a game for me. Every high school game, every club game, I would look for one person in the stands. You have always been my biggest cheerleader and I know you will continue to be. No matter how busy you were, I could always count on you to step up. Whether it was you doing the booster club, coaching me, or driving me everywhere you could imagine, you were always there. You pushed me to be the best player and the best version of myself. You taught me at a young age that I can accomplish any of my dreams if I worked for it. I knew my dream was to play college soccer when I was just a little girl and you made that dream come true.
With or without soccer, you have showed me exactly who I want to grow up to be. You have impacted so many people's lives including mine. I am so proud to have been able to grow up around my biggest role model and, overall, my best friend. Although I am sad my time at Massapequa is coming to an end, I know I will see you in the bleachers cheering me on — only this time it will be in Vermont. Thank you for everything. I love you always.
Jules
Baldwin senior Renelle Grannum and her mother, Rochelle Fraser. Credit: Neil Miller
TO: ROCHELLE FRASER
FROM: RENELLE GRANNUM
Baldwin girls basketball
Dear Mom,
On this special day, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for all that you do for me, both on and off the basketball court. Your unwavering support, love and encouragement have been the driving force behind my journey in basketball, and I am truly blessed to have you as my mom.
From the early morning practices to the late-night games, you have always been there cheering me on from the sidelines, rain or shine. Your enthusiasm and positive energy have lifted my spirits and inspired me to push myself to new heights, both as an athlete and as a person.
Beyond the wins and losses, you have taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, determination, and sportsmanship. Your words of wisdom and gentle guidance have shaped me into the player and the individual I am today, instilling in me the values of hard work, discipline and integrity.
But more than anything else, Mom, I am grateful for your unconditional love and unwavering belief in me. You have been my biggest fan, my strongest supporter, and my guiding light through every triumph and every setback. Your faith in me has given me the strength to persevere through challenges and the courage to chase my dreams, both on and off the court.
So, on this Mother’s Day, I want to say thank you, Mom, for being the most incredible basketball mom a player could ask for. Your love and sacrifice mean the world to me, and I am forever grateful for the countless memories we have shared together. I love you more than words can express, and I am so grateful to have you as my mom.
Happy Mother’s Day!
With all my love,
Renelle
Joe Filocamo, left, and Nick Filocamo with their mother Carol Ann Filocamo at Island Trees High School. Credit: Rick Kopstein
TO: CAROL FILOCAMO
FROM: NICHOLAS AND JOE FILOCAMO
Island Trees boys lacrosse
Dear Mom,
You have always been our biggest supporter. When it comes to lacrosse you do everything! Since PAL lacrosse, you have made sure we're prepared for our games, practices, and that we are on time. You always make us countless PB&Js, and make the most amazing food for us (bowls and bowls of pasta), get us Pedialyte, and drive us everywhere.
We have the best conversations on the way to practices, games, and tournaments. You keep our smelly uniforms clean. You might not be the loudest cheerer during the games, but you are always there. Every single game, we can count on seeing you in the stands, always proud of us.
Despite anything else going on, we know we can count on you and that you always put us first. When we come home, you are eager for us to give you a play-by-play of the game. It doesn’t matter that you just spent the last two hours already watching what we recount. Mom, you always make coordinating team events like senior night or pasta parties a priority, and are always making sure we have an experience to remember. We are so lucky to have had the support and we love you, Mom. We hope to always make you proud.
Nicholas and Joe