COMMUNITY
Janet Hook There’s a common theme among these moms, including Janet Hook of the Lakes at Rancho El Dorado: They take care of their kids no matter what. “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 her own four 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.”
Matthew, McKenna, Amy and Larry Schroeder pose for a picture with their second-place award.
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.
Julia, Carter, Jessica, Brooklynn and Craig Ward pose for a picture with their first place award at Karsten’s Ace Hardware during the Best Mom InMaricopa 2025 award ceremony.
Amy Schroeder 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 Karsten’s Ace Hardware as an errand to pick up a friend some tools. Even after she walked in and saw the prizes laid out on a table 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, to
Who’s the Best Mom InMaricopa? BY BRIAN PETERSHEIM JR.
Jessica Ward When asked what it meant to named best mom in Maricopa, the Desert Passage mom of three could only sum up the feeling with one word: “Surprised.” “It’s wonderful to be nominated,” Ward said while standing next to her 7-, 12- and 13-year-old children, Julia, Carter and Brooklynn, and her husband, Craig, who nominated her. She said it was a shock as she tends to “stand in the shadows.” Jessica, a schoolteacher 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. Jessica recently had surgery to remove a brain tumor and is in the midst of 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: “She’s just a great one, the best ever.”
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EING 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 see it as a great community engagement opportunity and a perfect tie-in to just honor mothers,” said Dave Karsten, owner of Karsten’s Maricopa 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 brought on his son, Zach, as co-owner recently. “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 May 10 at the hardware store, 21542 N. John Wayne Parkway. In a heartwarming, unplanned moment, the winners honored and praised each other for their hard work.
Damien and Alexander stand behind their parents Janet Hook and Michael Hawks with their third-place award.
InMaricopa.com | June 2025
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June 2025 | InMaricopa.com
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