Annual Celebration of Fatherhood Event Honors Merced County Father of the Year Essay Contest Winners

Winners of the Merced County Father of the Year essay contest were recognized during the All Dads Matter Celebration of Fatherhood Event on Saturday, June 20.  

Organized by the Merced County Office of Education (MCOE), the annual essay contest invited students of all grade levels to reflect on the impact their father or father figure has had on their lives. This year’s contest received nearly 160 submissions from students throughout Merced County. 

Students were allowed to focus their essay on any individual who fulfills a father role in their life, including stepparents, grandparents, uncles, siblings, coaches or teachers. Essays were rated based on creativity, thoughtfulness and personal connection. 

The 2026 Father of the Year Essay winners:

First Place 

• Arely, Kindergarten, Farmdale Elementary
• Cecilia, 1st Grade, Stone Ridge Christian
• Tenley, 2nd Grade, Stone Ridge Christian
• Zayhren, 3rd Grade, Stowell Elementary
• Annabelle, 4th Grade, Fremont Elementary
• Gracelyn, 5th Grade, Stone Ridge Christian
• Aubrey, 6th Grade, Peggy Heller
• Michael, 8th Grade, Peggy Heller

Second Place 

• Crew, Kindergarten, Stone Ridge Christian
• Amari, 2nd Grade, Stone Ridge Christian
• Daleyza, 3rd Grade, Stowell Elementary 
• Ellie, 4th Grade, Burbank Elementary
• Lila, 5th Grade, Chenoweth Elementary
• Koral, 6th Grade, Fremont Elementary
• Jasmine, 8th Grade, McSwain Elementary 

Third Place 

• Sophia, Kindergarten, Farmdale Elementary 
• Zamiyah, 3rd Grade, Stowell Elementary 
• Taylor, 4th Grade, Stone Ridge Christian   
• Zoe, 5th Grade, Fremont Elementary 
• Ryan, 6th Grade, Peggy Heller  
• Leilah, 8th Grade, Weaver Middle

The Merced County Father of the Year Essay Contest encourages students in grades TK-12 to reflect and write about their experiences with a father or father figure who have helped shape their lives.