As a tribute to all families of NC State students, the University recognizes one outstanding family during Parents & Families Weekend each year. 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 Alison Mendys, a junior in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Alison's essay -- which honors her mother and stepfather - Donna & Rick Sisson, father and stepmother - Phil & Karen Mendys, brother - Jordan Mendys, and maternal grandparents - Ed & Wilma McDonald -- was chosen from 35 entries.

Alison compares her family to a jigsaw-puzzle - seemingly broken into many pieces, but when together - totally complete. Alison also tells us she is so excited to have this opportunity to honor her family because without them "she could never have been successful in college and would happily give up the spotlight on the field for the light to solely shine on them." "It's their moment," she says.

Other nominees included the families of: Marcus Aydlett - Senior, Physical & Mathematical Sciences William Aydlett - Senior, Physical & Mathematical Sciences Ashley Ayers - Senior, Humanities & Social Sciences Juan Bastidas - Graduate Student, Natural Resources Derek Beane - Senior, Agriculture & Life Sciences Sarah Brumbaugh - Sophomore, Engineering Latasha Burton - Sophomore, Agriculture & Life Sciences Simone Currie - Senior, Engineering Michelle DeCamp - Senior, Humanities & Social Sciences Billy Dunlap - Senior, Agriculture & Life Sciences Kaitlin Dye - Sophomore, Agriculture & Life Sciences Sabina Ferhatovic - Freshman, Design Alexis Forman - Senior, Humanities & Social Sciences Alicia Gary - Senior, Management Andrea Grant - Sopohmore, Humanities & Social Sciences Franchesta Guion - Sophomore, Agriculture & Life Sciences Holly & Charles Hardin - Senior, Natural Resources, Sophomore, Agriculture & Life Sciences Andi Hughes - Sophomore, Engineering Brandon Hussey - Sophomore, Engineering Faith Leach - Senior, Humanities & Social Sciences Jennifer Lemkes - Freshman, Humanities & Social Sciences Emily McGill - Junior, Engineering Chelsea Ngongang - Sophomore, Physical & Mathematical Sciences Sandra Paa - Freshman, Agriculture & Life Sciences Marny Rhodes - Freshman, First Year College Megan Sloan - Senior, Engineering Lily Stoiber - Senior, Humanities & Social Sciences Christian Strayhorn - Senior, Humanities & Social Sciences Sarah Styon - Sophomore, Management Warren Ginger - Freshman, Agriculture & Life Sciences Lauren Wood - Junior, Agriculture & Life Sciences Jamila Wright - Senior, Humanities & Social Sciences Laurie Singer - Freshman, First Year College

Alison is majoring in Communication with a concentration in public relations. She is actively involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and works part time with her stepfather in RTP at the Research Triangle Institution. Alison is from Durham, NC and came to NC State as a transfer student from Appalachian State University. Her brother, Jordan, is a sophomore here.

Alison's family was recognized with a presentation during the Parents & Families Weekend NC State v. Eastern Kentucky football game on Saturday, September 17. Chancellor Jim Oblinger and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Tom Stafford presented Alison's family with a commemorative plaque and $300 book scholarship.

Read Alison's Essay

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

1999 - The Wagoner Family

2000 - The Killough Family

2001 - The Shepherd Family

2002 - The Bowens Family

2003 - The Allen/Daniels Family

2004 - The Majchrowicz Family