As a tribute to all families of NC State students, the University recognizes one outstanding family during Parents & Families Weekend each year. This fall marked the 12th anniversary of the Family of the Year Award. The stories that students share, as well as many others, are special examples of what Parents & Families Weekend is all about. Families, and the role they play in their students’ lives, are essential values at NC State University. Students can nominate their family through an essay contest coordinated by the Office of Parents & Families Services in the Department of Campus Activities.  

This year's award goes to the family of Danielle Maness, a senior in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Danielle’s essay -- which honors her mother Tonya Dean, her brother R.J. Maness, her grandmother Anita Dean, and her uncle Darnell Fulp - - was chosen from 25 entries.

Danielle writes, “You will never see a star with their name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and you will never see their faces on People magazine. My family is great simply because they have instilled the values in me to be who I am today. For the past 20 years, they have taught me to never give up, never to settle for less and to always aim high. My love for the Wolfpack did not start with a never ending list of Pack alum, and nor it did not start with my infatuation with the color red. My Wolfpack love blossomed because of a bottle [a 1983 NCAA Championship Coke bottle] and a man [Danielle’s late Great-Uncle Leroy LuAllen] who I can still hear in my heart rooting for me to succeed. I love my Wolfpack family, and I will continue to spread this love as I continue on my life journey.”

Danielle is currently majoring in Psychology. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Black Students Board, Pre-Health Club, Black Finesse Modeling Troupe, and is a member of the Service Leadership Team with the Center for Leadership, Ethics and Public Service.

Danielle and her family were recognized with a presentation during the Parents& Families Weekend NC State v. VA Tech football game on Saturday, October 2, 2010. Chancellor Woodson and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Tom Stafford presented Danielle’s family with a commemorative plaque, a NC State class ring, and $500 book scholarship.

2010 Family of the Year - The Family of Danielle Maness Other Nominees included the families of: Michael Atkins, Sophomore, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Meaghan Bethea, Senior, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Kristen Bogue, Junior, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alicia Braxton, Junior, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Will Carroll, Senior, College of Engineering Kristy Craig, Senior, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Samuel Dennis, Junior, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Jordan Ellinwood, Sophomore, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Mary Harrison, Sophomore, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Molli Hayworth, Senior, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Jessica Johnson, Freshmen, First Year College Victoria Kennedy, Sophomore, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Kristen Measimer, Freshmen, College of Engineering Cassandra Miller, Sophomore, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Ashley Moore, Junior, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Radhika Patel, Junior, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Julie Savage, Freshmen, College of Natural Resources Jason Sheffield, Senior, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Bradford Shields, Senior, College of Engineering Kellye Smith, Senior, College of Engineering Krystal Smith, Freshmen, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Brittany Traeger, Sophomore, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Crystal Tsang, Sophomore, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Lauren Wrenn, Sophomore, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Read Danielle Maness' Essay

Previous "Family of the Year" Award Recipients have included:

2009 - The Bulfin Family

2008 - The Goodell Family

2007 - The Campos Family

2006 - The Chaplin-Cox-Jones Family

2005 - The Mendys Family

2004 - The Majchrowicz Family

2003 - The Allen/Daniels Family

2002 - The Bowens Family

2001 - The Shepherd Family

2000 - The Killough Family

1999 - The Wagoner Family