BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
When Beautiful Manradge answered the telephone Wednesday morning, she had no idea that she would be going to the Yolanda Adams Mother’s Day Concert, compliments of her daughter, Zanalyiah Hutchinson. When asked if she knew her daughter had entered the contest, she said, ‘No.’
Ms. Manradge started screaming when she was informed that her daughter’s letter had been chosen as the winner. Ms. Manradge said she had really wanted to go to the concert because Yolanda Adams is her favorite gospel artist.
Last month an article invited people from the community to submit a letter stating why they felt their mother is “The Queen Of My Life.”
The contest was sponsored by 1828, BurgStyle Entertainment, and Full Spectrum Entertainment and Marketing Group.
During the interview, Zanalyiah said she learned of the contest reading the Sentinel. “I asked my aunt to take me to the Sentinel, but the office was closed so I pushed the letter under the gate. I didn’t think I was going to win,” the 10-year-old said.
“But my mommy always says what God has for me, no one can take.”
Ms. Manradge is very proud of her daughter. She struggles with some health issues that cause her to be hospitalized and miss school. However, she makes up the work and is a 4th grade honor student at Dunbar Magnet Elementary School.
Ms. Manradge also said that Zanalyiah loves to write and writes all of the time. “I really thank God for it all; I couldn’t do anything without Him.”
Currently working at Turning Heads doing eyelash extensions, Ms. Manradge will graduate from cosmetology school in about five months.
After graduating from Chamberlain High School in 2001, she entered Hillsborough Community College as a Criminal Law major. “I always wanted to work in Criminal Justice or Forensics, but God blessed me with Zanalyiah and I never went back.”
Although Zanalyiah briefly talks about her mom accompanying her during her hospital stays in the letter, she doesn’t like to talk about her illnesses. “I don’t want people feeling bad for me,” she said.
Ms. Manradge is looking forward to going to the concert and said of her only child, “I’m just so proud of her.”
The Winning Letter
“My name is Zanalyiah Hutchinson, born December 26, 2002, That’s right, the day after Jesus’ birthday. The words on this page cannot express why my mom is the Queen of my Life…
She is so smart, beautiful, hard working, takes good care of me, and my puppy Shih-Izu, “Princess” and most of all, we love the Lord.
I think my mommy should be crowned because she deserves it. She works hard and goes to school to be a salon person.
Not only is my queen smart and beautiful, but she loves to make other people look and feel good. I may not always get what I want from my mom, but she does give me what I need.
I thank God for giving her to me. I spend a lot of time in the hospital, but I can always count on my mommy and the Lord to be there.
My Mommy’s favorite female gospel singer is Yolanda Adams (and they sometimes look alike because they’re both beautiful).
I just love my mommy so much. She is good in her heart and out. She always tries to be a better mommy, but to me she is the best angel in the whole wide world.
She said to always get the best education in school and everyone is unique in their own way. Jesus loves everyone and never stops.
I can do all things through Christ. And I would like a special request to Ms. Yolanda Adams to sing “My God Is Awesome.” It would bring joy if my mom wins.
Thank you for reading this story, God bless! Take Care.
Please call my mom if she wins. If not, please shred our numbers.”
