Gurnee Mills honors moms

GURNEE - Ten local moms were recognized as honorees of Gurnee Mills' "Hardest Working Moms," a program which recognized outstanding moms and their commitment to their families in celebration of Mother's Day.

The top honor went to Romie Bloom of Wadsworth, a mom who has three children, came to this country from Japan not knowing a word of English, but became No. 1 in her high school class, then earned her master's degree while working as a popular teacher.

Others honored include Tracey Stiver, Waukegan; Cherie Kwiatkowski, Round Lake Beach; Munir Akhter, Waukegan; Dawn Buckus, Beach Park; Kimberly Linares, Gurnee; Terri Ewert, Zion; Latanya Coleman, Zion; Patti Tazzioli, Libertyville; Lauren Silverman, Skokie.