Finalists vie for ‘Family of the Year’

MADISON – The city will have a new “Family of the Year” on Jan. 22.

The Madison Family of the Year Committee will host an award presentation on Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at Madison City Hall. “After a three-month nomination, application and judging process, three exceptional Madison City families were chosen as finalists in this annual contest,” spokesperson Leanne McGee said.

* The Allisons — Jay and Betsy Allison. John, Mark, Sarah and Paul.

Jay and Betsy Allison are native Southerners and share that hospitality in their souls, McGee said.

Jay earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and master’s degree in business administration at Mississippi State University. He also received a master’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Jay works as software engineer at Synapse Wireless.

Betsy earned bachelor’s degrees in communication and French and then a master’s degree in French at MSU. Betsy is a preschool teacher at Madison United Methodist Church Preschool, which son Paul attends. John, Mark and Sarah are students at Horizon Elementary School.

This year, Jay is coaching Horizon LEGO Robotics, judging Science Fair and mentoring software and electronics. Betsy has served as Room Parent Coordinator for Horizon PTA and with various PTA projects.

The Allisons are active at Grace United Methodist Church.

* The Liens — Hue and Dr. Helen. Lana.

“Together, this engineer, scientist and artist all share a love of nature,” McGee said.

Hue majored in mechanical engineering, earning a bachelor’s degree at University of Hawaii – Manoa and a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He works as an engineer at Engineering Research Corporation.

Helen received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Smith College and a master’s and doctorate’s in biomedical engineering, also Rensselaer. Helen teaches Mandarin Chinese at Country Day School. At HudsonAlpha Institute for Technology, she works as a docent at and facilitator for APPLE (Advanced Placement Program for Learning Enrichment).

Their daughter, Lana, attends Country Day. Hue and Lana enjoy volunteering with Helen at HudsonAlpha each year to make signature ribbon pins for “Tie the Ribbons” luncheons that raise funds for breast and ovarian cancer research.

 “Whether we are hosting guests or volunteering in the community, we strive to imbue our lives with our family’s philosophy: ‘It is better to build a longer table than a taller wall,’” Helen said.

* The Parkers — Drs. David and Michele. David II and Matthew.

Dr. David and Dr. Michele Parker moved to Madison in 2001 after graduating from University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry and opened Madison Eye Care Center. In 2010, they opened their new facility at 66 Hughes Road.

Their sons attend Rainbow Elementary School. David II is a sixth-grader and Matthew is in fourth grade.

In summer 2016, the Parkers were thankful for Michele’s five-year mark as cancer-free. However, in July, Michele learned the devastating news that the cancer had returned. Today, as Michele undergoes more treatment, the Parkers are still the same loving, active, close-knit family as always, McGee said.

“Avid athletes, David II plays Upward flag football, Upward basketball and golf at Madison Golf Center,” McGee said. Matthew also plays golf, football and baseball.

David II, Matthew and school friends ran the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run to raise $3,155 for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation Breast Center.