Mother’s Day was on May 12.

Local athletes Callie Nunes, Chris Lubinsky and Ryan Palecek spoke glowingly about their moms this past weekend when they were interviewed by the Courier.

Nunes, a 2017 Ceres High School grad, is a student-athlete at Concordia University Irvine.

Mother Shawna was in the stands when Callie tallied nine strikeouts at pitcher while leading her school’s softball team to the NCAA Division-II West Regional title on May 11.

Shawna has filled the position of athletic director at CHS since the 2011-12 school year. 

“I can’t say enough nice things about my mom,” Nunes stated. “She’s the most trustworthy person I know. She loves helping other people. She’s always been one of my biggest supporters. She makes me and my older sister a priority to her.”

Callie and Shawna communicate via FaceTime just about every day.

“She always takes time out of her day even if it’s just for five minutes,” Nunes said. “I have her to thank for everything along with my dad. But his day will come. If I can grow up to be half the person my mom is I’d consider myself a lucky person.”

Chris Lubinsky, a 2017 CHS grad, starred at quarterback at Monterey Peninsula College this past fall.

He earned a scholarship to Kentucky’s Campbellsville University.

Chris’ mom, Carol, is principal at Central Valley High School. 

“I’m incredibly lucky to have her as my mom,” he said. “She really is a wonderful person. She’s a hard worker and a good leader. She’s caring. She does what she can to help others. She’s one of the best people I know. She’s the rock of our family. She’s the calming presence. I don’t know what we’d do without her.”

“She always supports me no matter what I’m doing,” Lubinsky added. “She checks up on me all the time. That means a lot knowing she still cares.”

Palecek is a senior at Central Valley High School.

A three-sport athlete, Palecek earned a football scholarship to Kansas Wesleyan University.

Misty Roton, Ryan’s mother, works for Modesto City School District. She’s the head computer technician at Enochs High School.

“When I was a kid, it was just me and my mom the first few years,” he said. “My real father walked out on us. We have a closer bond because of that.”

“I can’t think of one time my mom has missed a single match or game,” Ryan added. “She’s always been there to support me. She’s my No. 1 fan. She means the world to me. “

Ryan and Misty got matching tattoos together in February.

“She got my thumbprint in the shape of a heart on her wrist,” he said. “I got her thumbprint in the shape of a heart on my ribs.”