Two honored by mothers group

Friday, June 18, 2004 | 8:44 a.m.

Susan Wallace Leavitt of Henderson was named Nevada Mother of the Year, and Lori Klopfer of North Las Vegas was named Nevada Young Mother Representative by American Mothers Inc. for 2004.

By speaking at community organizations, the two women plan to promote the importance of motherhood, childhood literacy and the protection of children from pornography.

Leavitt is a mother of four and new grandmother of one. Two of her sons have served as student body presidents at Green Valley High School and all three of her boys have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Leavitt volunteers at local schools and also donates her time to local political campaigns. She works part-time as a dental assistant and interior design muralist, but cites motherhood as her primary career.

Klopfer is a stay-at-home mother of five. With a degree in elementary education, she serves as the PTA president at Cozine Elementary, where she started Partners About Literacy (PAL), a reading program that pairs community volunteers with students struggling with reading.

The program recently won the Presidential Award for Literacy from the Nevada State PTA. Klopfer hopes to implement the program in schools throughout Nevada.

For more information, call the Nevada Association of American Mothers Inc. President Antoinette Montandon at 648-9393 or visit www.americanmothers.org.