Lucia Shunkwiler, a certified legal secretary from Sioux City, and Craig Payne of Des Moines, the chief building inspector for Polk County, were honored as Mom and Dad of the Year during the pregame show of the Iowa-Ohio State football game Oct. 21.
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| Lucia Shunkwiler gets a hug from her daughter, Sara. |
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| Laura Payne joins in applause for her father, Craig Payne. |
Shunkwiler’s daughter, Sara, a biochemistry major, nominated her as the 2000 Mortar Board Mom of the Year. Lucia Shunkwiler is involved with church activities and has been Altar Society Circle leader. She is also a member of the Parent-Teacher Association and visits and assists homebound elderly in her community.
Payne’s daughter, Laura, a prepharmacy major, nominated him as the Omicron Delta Kappa Dad of the Year. He has been active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and 4-H, volunteering as an assistant 4-H leader of the Boots n Bows club from 1994 to 1999 and currently serving on the Polk County 4-H board. He was a Sunday school teacher at Mitchellville Christian Church for 10 years and received the Partners in Education Award from Southeast Polk County Schools in 1998.
Any parent of a University student may be nominated for the award. Recipients are selected based on their community activities, volunteer work, personal achievements, and honors, as well as an essay written by their student.