Six dads are nominated, but only one will be named Dad of the Year.
Beside all the University of Idaho events over the next few days, Dads” Weekend also includes a competition called Dad of the Year.
Students submitted a short essay about why they think their dad should be Dad of the Year, as well as a picture of their dad.
Submissions were then posted on the Dad of the Year Facebook page and students will have three days to vote for their favorite dad by liking their post on the page. After the voting is closed, the Dads” Weekend Committee and SArb will make the final decision.
This is the first year the competition had been online, and Dads” Weekend Committee Chair Rosemary Coldsnow said she thinks students like how much more interactive the competition is.
“It”s exciting for the students to showcase their dads,” Coldsnow said.
The winning dad will be announced during the weekend and will receive a large gift basket from the VandalStore.
The student essays talked about tough times their dads have helped them through and how their dads have inspired them.
Molli Heckathorn, a sophomore at the University of Idaho, was one of the students who submitted an essay about her father. Heckathorn chose to nominate her father because he was a big influence in her life.
“He taught me that hard work and dedication can get you far,” Heckathorn said.
She said her father attended Dad”s Weekend last year and competed in the Iron Dad competition where they placed third. Heckathorn said she and her father also attended the Moscow block party.
“It was enlightening to surround yourself with other Vandals and get a feel for the community,” Heckathorn said.
This year they plan to attend most of the events offered during Dads” Weekend, like the Moscow Block Party and the tailgate before the football game.
Coldsnow said last year”s Dad of the Year was one of the most memorable competition winners. She said last year”s winner was part of SArb, so when they walked onto the field, he went along thinking he was just accompanying his daughter.
When he was handed his prize, Coldsnow said she remembers thinking how shocked and amazed he looked. Coldsnow said many of the dads do not know about the competition and are always greatly surprised by the honor.
During Dads” Weekend, Coldsnow said the competition allows dads to see what a big impact they have made on their students” lives.
Katie Colson can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @katiecolson007