Calling All School-Aged Illinoisans!
To participate, Illinois schoolkids write on the topic:
‘What My Father or an Important Father-Figure Means to Me’
The next contest starts in January 2026.
A look at 2025
ESSAY WINNERS
Pre/K– Ailiany Flores, Rachel Carson Elementary
1st Grade – Allison Hindman, St. Mary’s Pontiac
2nd Grade – Kayla Macias, Richard Edwards Elementary
3rd Grade – Lyla Wilson, St. Mary’s Pontiac
4th Grade – Dalary Marquez, Richard Edwards Elementary
5th Grade – Gissell Melgar-Mejia, Rachel Carson Elementary
6th Grade – Isabella Yanez, Rachel Carson Elementary
7th Grade – Adrian Gill, St. Mary’s Pontiac
8th Grade – Zari Conway, Rachel Carson Elementary
9th Grade – Jaden Antonio Rodriguez, De La Salle Institute
10th Grade – Aiden DeHeer, Mundelein High School
11th Grade – Brian Killen, St. Laurence High School
12th Grade – Gracie Cruz, De La Salle Institute
Fathers/Father Figures of the Year
Guendy Nerto
Tanner Burton
Victor Macias
Robert Mann
Jorge Marquez
Jose Melgar
Anthony Mendoza
Chan Gill
Jeffery Allen
Lorenzo Antonio Rodriguez
Ryan DeHeer
Brian Killen
John Bowen
Congratulati0ns to all Essayists!!!
Our volunteers read every single essay at least twice to make their selections.
