Dynamite Dad Contest
*Resources mentioned on WTTR: http://www.allprodad.com, http://www.fathers.com, http://www.fatherhood.org, http://www.heartlightministries.org/parentingtodaysteens/
Dynamite Dad Award Ceremony Photo Stream - photos are also on the MRC Fan Page on Facebook. Please feel free to share your photos of the event on that site!
Special thanks to The Hindman Foundation, an anonymous donor, Fine Portraiture By Michele, Ritz Photography, Shipley's Fine Jewelry, PNC Bank, Chick-fil-A, TownMall merchants: Hair Cuttery,Verizon, Lunar Golf, Journey, The Mustard Seed, Vitamin World, Childrens Place, Super Dollar & Deals, TownMall, Special Journey's, Dick's Sporting Good, Jill's Jams and More, and Events by Lexi for helping to make Dynamite Dads happen this year. We also appreciate the support of our partners at Dads Works and Get Connected Family Resource Center for their help. Be sure to check out the videos on YouTube and watch here for a photo link to the event. Also, you can LIKE us on Facebook and follow us there.
Winning entries are posted at the bottom of this page.
Military Dynamite Dad: Joe Nefflen, Westminster, nominated by Juliana, Jessica, and Victoria Nefflen
ELEMENTARY
Dynamite Dad: Ron Blizzard, of Westminster, nominated by Kaitlyn Blizzard
Runner-Up Dad: Joe DiMaggio, Finksburg, nominated by Dominick and Joseph DiMaggio
Honorable Mention Dads:
Greg Miller, Westminster, nominated by Nathan and Sarah Miller
Dave Sensabaugh, Taneytown, nominated by Annie Sensabaugh
Brian Hale, Westminster, nominated by Emma Hale
5TH GRADE
Dynamite Dad tie: Patrick Dorman, Westminster, nominated by Amelia Dorman; Gordon Zeberlein, nominated by Kristin Zeberlein
Runner-Up Dad: Thomas Harbin, Westminster, nominated by Alex Harbin
Honorable Mention Dads:
Bruce Warfield, Westminster, nominated by Kyle Warfield
Daniel Beall, Westminster, nominated by Dave Beall
Mathew Hendra, Finksburg, nominated by Leah, Hannah, and Sarah Jean Hendra
Glen Shirley, Westminster, nominated by Elizabeth Shirley
Mike Granata, Finksburg, nominated by Colleen Granata
Robert Fette-von Koeckritz, Westminster, nominated by Heather and Christopher Fette-von Koeckritz
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Dynamite Dad tie: Timothy Rhanis, Westminster, nominated by Darian Rhanis;
Jim Zablosky, Finksburg, nominated by John, Grace and Faith Zablosky
Runner-Up Dad: Sean Murphy, Manchester, nominated by Quinn and Keely Murphy
HIGH SCHOOL
Dynamite Dad: Ken Emerick, Eldersburg, nominated by Ryan Emerick
Runner-Up Dad: Barry Davis, Westminster, nominated by Starr Davis
*2011 Winning Entries:
Military Dad, Joe Nefflen, Westminster, a field supervisor working in Afghanistan. Nominated by his daughters:
Julianna, 6: My dad is awesome because he plays basketball and he knows how to cook. My dad loves me very much and he protects me.
Jessica, 10: My Dad is awesome because he’s my dad! Right now he is in Afghanistan helping the troops protect our freedom. My dad has been gone a lot since I was born right because of 9/11. My dad is going to miss my tenth birthday but he got me a fly fishing rod for my birthday present before he left. He is teaching me how to fish and we will get to fish when he comes home. I really miss him but I know I’ll see him soon.
Victoria, 13: An excerpt from a longer piece that did not meet contest criteria because it was too long: My dad is awesome because he is courageous. It takes a ton of courage to leave your family to fight in a war, knowing that you may never see them again. You see, my dad has juggled being a soldier, an engineer, and a parent since the days I was born. He works long hours to provide for us and to protect our freedom. He makes me do my best and succeed in everything I do. He protects me from danger and makes me feel safe. If I could give my dad anything, it would be for him to see himself the way I see him, so he would know just how important he is to me.
Elementary Winner: Kaitlyn Blizzard, Dad: Ron Blizzard, Westminster (the word practice was misspelled in her entry)
Ruler of the house
Outrageously cool to be with
Nuts about Nascar
Always willing to walk to the firehouse
Lots of stuff to do with him
Delightful to work and play with
Laughs at all the jokes I tell him
Encouraging me all the time
Every two days he works at the fire station
Believing what I tell him
Lives saving lives
Inside he is on the laptop
Zealous
Zippy
Always doing something
Runs to the fire house there is a call
Drives me to soccer practace
Joined the fire company before I was born
Reads a lot of magazines
5th grade winner: Kristen Zeberlein, Dad: Gordon Zeberlein
(This was in purple by the way!) My dad is: loving, caring, love’s to eat, love’s the color purple, love’s football, he love’s the ravens, supportive, hard-working, loves animals, love’s vacation with the family, he helps my sister and me with our homework when we are having trouble, loves math, hel’s nice he stayed up with my sister when she stayed up until midnight doing her math homework and she didn’t get the homework on study island, he also help’s my mom when she doesn’t fell well. I love u dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5th grade winner: Amelia Dorman, Dad: Patrick Dorman
My Dad is Awesome because…
Makes fun of himself.
Your upbeat attitude makes me feel so special to have you as my dad!
Dances really funny!
Amazingly supportive to everyone and everybody.
Daring to do anything without hesitation.
I always have a blast with you.
So fun to spend time with.
Takes me out to go horseback riding.
Hard working and gets the job done.
Especially go leader to follow.
Best dad that someone could ever have.
Embarrassing dance moves.
So funny, and always makes me laugh.
Talks a lot and loves to!
Middle School Winners (There are 2): John Zablosky, 6th grade, Finksburg, his father is Jim Zablosky
g giving to anyone who is in need
r really nice to everybody
e everything he does is usually accurate and good
a always helping
t thinking of people
n never really says no
e everything he does is nice or fair
s says funny things and makes me laugh
s sees things and tells us about what he sees on the subway
o other people’s things he leaves alone
f faithful to his family
m makes food and dinner and desserts
y yummy pies he makes
d desperate people my dad helps in school
a always enjoys life
d defense weapons he gives me like swords, knives, spears and axes
Darian Rhanis, 7th grade, Westminster - his father is Timothy Rhanis
My dad is awesome because he is always there for me. He always knows what to say and do. Whenever I’m sad he’s there to cheer me up and help. He’s always rational and calm. My dad always helps me with my math homework, even when I complain about it. He works hard and does what he has to do to come to my softball games and be at my school functions. He does so much it’s hard to write all of it down. I guess I’m just trying to say my dad is the best and I will never want a different dad.
High School Winner: Ryan Emerick, Dad: Ken Emerick, Eldersburg
My Dad is awesome because…
I want you to know how special you are to me. You are an incredible example of what a real man should be, and you know that nothing is possible without a solid relationship with God. The wisdom and insight that you have gained over the years has helped me with many hard choices in my life. Your guidance and leadership make it so much easier to stay on the right path. You are such a good role model for me and others around you. I love you so much and am glad that you are my dad!
I Love you a ton!
Your son, Ryan Emerick
At left is one of the 2010 Dynamite Dad winners, Victor Paylor, who watches as two of his sons describe their dad. All 6 Paylor children teamed up for this effort.
