Lots of competition for Chamber’s ‘Father of the Year’ Contest
by Mary Jo David
This year the Stockbridge Area Chamber of Commerce received numerous nominations for their Father of the Year contest. All of the submissions were submitted to teachers at both Smith and Heritage schools.
Cherie Van Blaircum, president of the Chamber, was amazed by the response this year’s contest received.
“Initially we collected around 25 nominations, and then we discovered there were about 25 more. Wow!” Van Blaircum also noted that this was a huge increase over the number of nominations received last year.
Members of the Chamber Board decided that, due to the large number of nominations, they would honor two dads as “Father of the Year”—one nominated by a student at Smith and one from a student at Heritage. After reviewing all the entries, Board members voted and the winners were announced on Friday evening, June 17, during A Day In the Village activities in the park.
Heritage School student Melody Smith of Gregory nominated her dad, Zachary (“Zach”) Smith, for a long list of reasons. Her winning submission, which took up the front and back of the nomination form, included appreciation for the time her dad spends helping her with math, encouraging her in activities like volleyball and cheer, and picking her up from school every day. He snuggles with her when she’s sad or scared, and “danced all night at the Daddy Daughter dance so we couldn’t even move the next day!”
Smith School students Olivia and Mia King of Stockbridge nominated their dad, Lloyd King III, who has persevered through some very tough challenges, including a house fire and the death of a child. Still he has “continued to go to work and take care of us day in and day out.” Olivia and Mia would like their dad to know “how appreciated he is not just this year but every year.”
It wasn’t easy for the Chamber Board to pick the standouts with so many great dads nominated. But then again, you can never have too many great dads!
Congratulations to both Zachary Smith and Lloyd King for making such an impression on their young daughters.
Melody Smith with her “Father of the Year” Zach Smith. Photo credit: Geri Uihlein.
Mia King (left) and Olivia King (right) with their “Father of the Year” Lloyd King III. Photo credit: Geri Uihlein.
