April 12, 2006 -- Mothers can play a multitude of roles -- teacher, best friend, shoulder to cry on and protector, just to name a few. And according to a recent poll, nearly 60 percent of Americans also list mom as their most influential role model.

With Mother's Day quickly approaching, Kohl's Department Stores and Daisy Fuentes are asking America to honor special role models in the "Mom's the Word" essay contest. Through the contest, one deserving winner will receive a $5,000 Kohl's shopping spree, a style transformation and a trip to Fashion Week in Los Angeles.

Fuentes, a TV personality, fashion model and designer of her namesake collection at Kohl's, will participate in the winner's shopping spree and help transform her look with a fashion and beauty makeover. Fuentes will also accompany the winner to an event at Fashion Week in Los Angeles.

"My mother has been a very influential role model for me, and is a big part of who I am," Fuentes said. "Mother's Day is the perfect time to say thanks, and Kohl's 'Mom's the Word' contest is an opportunity to show our role models how they've helped transform lives and communities around the country."

Kohl's will award 10 finalists with $1,000 Kohl's gift cards and a donation of $1,000 made in their name to a youth-serving nonprofit charity. To nominate a deserving role model, participants can visit http://www.kohls.com , and write a creative essay (100-word maximum) describing how their mother or role model has been a positive influence in their life. Ten essays will be posted at Kohls.com starting May 3, and the public can then vote to determine the grand prize winner.

Based on a recent nationwide Kohl's survey, there are countless deserving role models out there. The survey asked 1,000 American adults to list their most influential role model. Fifty-eight percent of respondents listed mom/parent/guardian as their top role model. Following are the complete rankings:

       --  Mom/parent/guardian        58 percent
       --  Other relative             14 percent
       --  Friend                      9 percent
       --  Teacher                     4 percent
       --  Sibling                     4 percent
       --  Other                      11 percent

Entries must be postmarked by April 24, 2006 and can be mailed to "Kohl's Mother's Day Contest" P.O. Box 709 Bayonne, NJ 07002. Entries will be judged on the quality of the writing, creativity and originality. Participants can also submit entries directly at Kohls.com, which features great Mother's Day gift ideas.

Kohl's Department Stores