Yuma mother surprised as KYMA names Brandi Mattias 2026 winner

Brandi Mattias was caught off guard in Yuma when KYMA named her the 2026 Mother of the Year, turning a family nomination into a public thank-you just ahead of Mother’s Day. Her mother submitted the entry, praising Mattias for showing her children a lot of love and staying present in their daily lives.

The station said Mattias was surprised with special gifts, and The Flower Mine added a year-long prize that ties the recognition to one of the busiest retail stretches on the local calendar. Mattias will receive a bouquet every month for a full year, giving the honor a visible local-business connection that extends beyond the single day of the announcement.

KYMA had promoted the contest as “Mom of the Year 2026” on March 31, then revealed Mattias as the winner on May 8, 2026, just before Mother’s Day, which is observed on the second Sunday in May. The timing gave the award added weight in a county where families, florists, and broadcasters all lean into the holiday at once.

That seasonal push is part of the business reality for Yuma shops like The Flower Mine. In a separate May 9 report, owner Mike Esquivel said Mother’s Day preparation starts about two months ahead, with vendor orders placed 30 to 45 days in advance and long hours needed to keep up with demand. For a shop built around holidays and home deliveries, the Mattias recognition also doubled as a reminder of how much planning goes into a weekend that looks simple from the outside.

KYMA used the same holiday to spotlight another community winner. Brenda Arroyo was named the 2026 Mother’s Day Photo Contest winner on May 8, and the grand prize was valued at $400. That contest carried backing from Bubba’s 33, Ashley Furniture, El Centro Motors and Liberty Motorsports, showing how local sponsorships help turn seasonal recognition into a broader Yuma tradition.

For Mattias and her family, though, the meaning was personal. A mother’s entry, a public surprise and a year of flowers turned ordinary caregiving into something the whole community could see.