The Plant City Times & Observer is proud to announce the winner of our Father’s Day Contest. Shaylee Spell, 5, won for her essay on why her daddy is the best. Shaylee and her father, Troy, will receive a gift certificate to Parkesdale Farm Market. The certificate can be picked up at the market.
WINNER: THE TICKLE MONSTER
I think my daddy is the best in the whole world. No one else has a daddy like mine (except for my baby brother), and that makes us lucky.
Our daddy works very hard for our family to make sure we have lots of things. Whenever daddy comes home from work he always makes sure to come in our rooms and give us hugs and kisses, even if we are already asleep.
When Daddy is off work he spends every moment with us. He takes us on adventures. Sometimes we go to the park with mountains, and last weekend he took me horseback riding. He plays with us all day. We go outside and chase each other, and roll in the grass together.
I like when he pretends to be a tickle monster and gets me and Bubby.
I love that my daddy always buys me stuff, too. He buys me toys and pretty dresses whenever he can. And happy meals.
I also like that he spends alone time with me and Bubby, but just us one at a time. I get to watch my favorite cartoon (“My Little Pony”) with Daddy, and he won’t move a muscle, and he plays with just bubby alone, too. Bubba likes to play with cars. Daddy always kind of looks tired when he comes home from work, but he always plays with us instead of going to bed.
I love him! There is no other daddy like mine. He is strong and big and gentle and hardworking. He loves my mommy, my brother and me more than anything in the world. Even if he didn’t win this daddy contest he is always a winner to me. My daddy is just simply the very best.
— Shaylee Spell, 5
HONORABLE MENTIONS
A SIMPLE MAN
My dad passed away on September 11, 2013. He was one of eight and was born into a farming family where he learned hard work and dedication. His stories of carrying water for him and his eight siblings so they could draw a bath seemed to be something out of a 19th century novel, but it was their way of life, and his family went on to be one of the dominating farming families in North Dakota.
He was a simple man. Nothing pleased him more than fishing off a pier and taking trips to anywhere in the United States that he had never been before, and his pride and joy were his two daughters. We traveled most of our life seeing places not many people are blessed enough to experience, all thanks to our dad.
Our dad instilled the knowledge we needed to become strong women. He was kind, loving, generous and patient. His 56 years on earth would be enough time to leave a mark on hearts that knew him. Father’s Day, at one time, was a sad occasion, but we are blessed to have been raised by a man who valued life and lived it to the fullest.
— Kelsey Bridges, 27
HAPPY FAMILY MAN
My name is Sarahi, and I am 11 years old. My dad is actually my step dad, Antonio Avila. He came in my mommy, sister and brother’s life three years ago. I have two other brothers and one more sister. Now I have a baby brother named little Tony.
My step dad is always trying his best to take care of Mommy and me and my sisters and brothers. He work on a roof all day to provide for us. We just got a house. Mommy was so happy.
Daddy Tony makes her so happy, and I thank him for coming in my life to help Mommy. Even when we don’t have money he works to make more so we can always be happy kids. He is a hard worker, and I don’t tell him a lot that I love him, and I thank him for helping my mom with everything and for making a better life for me, my sisters and brothers.
He deserves a great reward. I wish I could tell him how much he really means to me and Mommy. He’s the best daddy ever! Thanks for making Mommy happy.
— Sarahi Perez, 11