In her private moments, Sonia Moura is a grieving mother devastated by the loss of a daughter who died way too young.
But in a room full of admirers and strangers who wish her well, she is still “Gabby’s mom,” the proud parent of a courageous little girl whose battle with cancer inspired an entire city.
Gabrielle Acevedo, 8, died last month from leukemia, but not before winning a school-sponsored essay contest with words written as she approached her final days.
“Gabby loved to read and write and color and draw,” Moura said yesterday as she accepted the posthumous prize at a Queens ceremony. “Even while she was suffering with leukemia, she liked to keep her mind and hands busy. Even though she is not with us today, I know she is here in spirit and is very proud of this wonderful award.”
Gabrielle, a second-grader who begged for schoolwork despite her illness, was honored for words she supplied to a published picture book, “A Boy, a Dog and a Frog.”
She was one of 14 recipients of the Department of Education’s M. Samuel Stern Award, a prize given to students with disabilities for their enthusiasm and initiative. Moura was joined by teachers, principals and nurses from Children’s Hospital of Columbia-Presbyterian, who had become her second family.
“Your daughter has become part of the fabric of the city,” Schools Chancellor Joel Klein told Moura as he gave her the glossy wooden plaque. “From that young child, so many have learned so much.”
Other award recipients were Rosanna Almonte, Silvia Daly, Christopher Gayot, Anthony Guillen, William Hawkins, Monica Hourani, Hector Perez, Jennifer Ramirez, Milton Sanchez, Nicholas Scott, Jessica Sierra, Roberto Simpson and Rayquan Winchester.
Klein praised the teachers and administrators that service special-needs students for their “miraculous” work.