More than 30 short essays were submitted by sons and daughters who described their mothers as “the best,” for Allyn’s Jewelers first Mothers Appreciation contest.

“They had to go to our website and tell us why their mother was the best,” said Taylor Allyn.

The winning essay was submitted by the children of Regina Pennington, of Ironton.

Randy, Chris and Joanie said, “Our mother has always cared unselfishly for her entire family. Left a widow at 38 to care for her child with brain cancer, her elderly parents and a grandson who was left paralyzed after an accident.

“Her undying faith and love of God has brought her through life’s trials. We would love for her to win this contest but we are the real winners to have her as our mother.”

Pennington won a gift basket of items donated by businesses throughout Ironton that helped sponsor the inaugural contest.

“We had a lot of local merchants participate, which was a good thing,” Tom Allyn said.

Allyn said the contest was well received in its first year, and therefore, his store would likely have another contest next year.

“We are just pleased for all the participants who wrote about their mothers,” Allyn said. “We’re sorry they can’t all be winners, but if they think that much of their mothers, then they really are winners.”

Sponsors for the contest included Allyn’s, Weber’s Florist, Melini Cucina, Touch of Grace, Fiesta Salon, Pack Horse LLC, Big Boy, Pick n Save, Unger’s, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, The Gold Studio, Peddler’s, Tone and Tan and The Tribune.