2022 IlLinois Fatherhood Initiative
Essay Contest
In 24 years, our flagship program has collected nearly half-a-million essays from Illinois schoolkids!
Calling All School-Aged Illinoisans!
To participate, IL schoolkids write on the topic:
‘What My Father Means to Me’
to honor the special men in their lives.
The next contest starts in January 2022.
A look at 2021
ESSAY WINNERS
Pre/K– Catherine C, Columbia Explorers
1st Grade – Liena R, Columbia Explorers
2nd Grade – Adelyn W, Arbury Hills
3rd Grade – Arizbeth P, Columbia Explorers
4th Grade – Diego R, Columbia Explorers
5th Grade – Daniel M, Columbia Explorers
6th Grade – Nicolas P, Rachel Carson
7th Grade – Arabella E, Bridgeport Catholic
8th Grade – Enriqueta P, Rachel Carson
9th Grade – Tatiyana D, De La Salle Institute
10th Grade – Soley G, De La Salle Institute
11th Grade – Brian M, Saint Ignatius
12th Grade – Aniyah D, De La Salle Institute
FATHER HONOREES
Carlos Cardenas, Father of the Year
Andres Rios, Father of the Year
Aaron Werkman, Father of the Year
Ramiro Pineda, Father of the Year
Samuel Rivera, Father of the Year
Ben Bukovac, Father-Figure of the Year
Jesus Jasso, Grand-father of the Year
Ken Elliott, Father of the Year
Jose Perdomo, Father of the Year
Eric Lamont Payton, Father-Figure of the Year
Qortez Lewis, Stepfather of the Year
Michael Moore, Father of the Year
Andre Davis, Father of the Year
Congratulations to all 2700 Essayists!!!
Our 300+ Volunteers read every single essay at least twice and have made selections.
