Annual Father of the Year Essay Contest Celebrates Fatherhood in Merced County

The Merced County Office of Education (MCOE) recognized eight of the 27 Father of the Year Essay Contest winners at the Celebration of Fatherhood event, hosted by the Human Services Agency All Dads Matter Program, on June 8.

The essay contest invited Merced County students from all grade levels to write and submit an essay on what their father or father figure means to them. This year’s contest received more than 300 submissions from writers throughout the county. Beyond traditional fathers, essays were written about stepparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, coaches, teachers and any person who fulfills that role in a student's life. Essays were selected based on creativity, thoughtfulness and personal connection. 

Click here to view all of this year's winning essays. MCOE will also share essays on social media in the days leading up to Father's Day.

The 2024 Father of the Year Essay winners:

First Place 
Wednesday, 2nd Grade, Chenoweth Elementary 
Mason, 3rd Grade, Yosemite Valley Charter
Brooklyn, 4th Grade, Stefani Elementary
Abigail, 5th Grade, McSwain Elementary
Brison, 6th Grade, McSwain Elementary
Isabella, 7th Grade, Hoover Middle
Marco, 8th Grade, El Nido Elementary
Vanessa, 10th Grade, Golden Valley High
Alana, 11th Grade, Golden Valley High

Second Place 
Ryder, 2nd Grade, Elmer Wood Elementary
Joseph, 3rd Grade, McSwain Elementary
Mackenzie, 4th Grade, Burbank Elementary
Michelle, 5th Grade, Aileen Colburn Elementary
Eddie, 6th Grade, McSwain Elementary
Luis, 7th Grade, Weaver Middle
Lilyana, 8th Grade, McSwain Elementary
Lacey, 10th Grade, Golden Valley High
Esteban, 11th Grade, Golden Valley High

Third Place 
Taiyari, 2nd Grade, Burbank Elementary
Ariana, 3rd Grade, McSwain Elementary
Isaac, 4th Grade, Selma Herndon Elementary
Emily, 5th Grade, McSwain Elementary
Alonna, 6th Grade, Weaver Middle
Jaqueline, 7th Grade, Hoover Middle
Sara, 8th Grade, Mitchell Senior Elementary
Kong, 10th Grade, Golden Valley High
Rylee, 11th Grade, Golden Valley High

The Father of the Year Essay Contest is an annual competition organized by MCOE that encourages students in grades TK-12 in Merced County to write about their experiences with a father or father figure who have helped shape their lives. Students can write about a father, stepfather, other family member, teacher or even a coach.