NORFOLK, Neb. -- Angie Stenger from Norfolk was named Nebraska's 2024 Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc.

"I have to tell you it was pretty shocking," Stenger said, reflecting on the honor. "It was exciting, my daughter was with me when I got the email. She was standing over my shoulder and reading my email and she goes, 'Mom you get to be Mom of the Year!' and so she was excited for me."

Stenger is a well-known figure in the Northeast Nebraska community.

For 14 years, she co-hosted the Northeast Nebraska country music station US92, is the Executive Director for Growing Together Northeast Nebraska, and is a business partner in Flood Communications.

After meeting her husband Jeremy Stenger during a blind date in 2005, the two got married and welcomed their daughter Josie into the world, their only child.

Stenger said her relationship with her 12-year-old daughter is a unique one, pointing out the age gap that exists between the two. 

"It's an interesting relationship because Josie and I are almost 40 years apart," Stenger said. "So it is a different relationship, but she's had the opportunity to be involved in lots of things (with me) through the radio stations and TV stations and in the volunteerism that I do in the area, she's been a part of it. So we hang out a lot and get to do everything." 

Despite being Mom of the Year for the Cornhusker State, Stenger jokes that she has no advice when it comes to motherhood.

Instead, Stenger said she still learning and has a lot to learn now that her daughter is getting older.

"No, I am learning as I go," Stenger said. "I think that is a lot of it. I don't want to be 'Super Mom' I want to know that as I have a preteen daughter that she and her friends feel safe at our home, and they always know they can call me or text me...I don't ever want to be that person that says my daughter is my best friend. Because I still want to be the parent, but I want to give her as many opportunities as are possible."

Stenger does promote volunteerism, stating that children should know what it means to be a part of and serve the community.

"I think that is such an important piece of what we need to bring this next generation," Stenger said while recalling a time she had her daughter and her friends volunteer. "It doesn't have to be giving money, but giving time is just so important for these kids to see."

When it comes to doing things differently, Stenger said there are days where she feels she should have done things differently when raising Josie.

However, Stenger said those regrets are only about the small things, and not what matters most.

"Always there are mistakes that I just wish we would have done (differently)," Stenger said. "Do I have regrets? Sure those little things. Do I have regrets about being a mom? Not at all."

Stenger will be the Nebraska candidate for Mother of the Year for the 2024 AMI National Mothers Convention in Omaha on April 27.

There, the 2024 Mother of the Year will be selected from the pool of state winners for 2024 Mom of the Year. 

Angie Stenger is a business partner of Flood Communications, which owns News Channel Nebraska.