Local children in running for Baby Of The Year
(Update: the article was edited to reflect the contest sponsor is the company Colossal, not Good Housekeeping.)
At least nine local children, Scarlett Hendren, Eden Crotts, Livvy Hammer, Berkley Hart Lackey,Whitley Knox, Bailey Chase, Benjamin Johnson, Liam Alexander Davis, and Jackson Blake are among the contestants in Colossal’s Baby Of The Year contest. The Grand Prize is $25,000 and the winner will star in an exclusive ad campaign in Good Housekeeping magazine.
Scarlett Hendren
Miss Scarlett
Scarlett Hendren, age nine months, the daughter of Sierra and Blue Hendren, of Alexander County.
As her parents describe Scarlett, “This tiny queen of joy enjoys bossing big bro Brantley around (he loves it!), making people laugh out loud, singing off-tune tunes, dancing like nobody’s watching, snuggling like a koala, and getting lost in storytime. And when she’s not doing all that, you can find her making a splash in the pool or plotting her next cuddle attack!”
Sierra stated, “With my career on hold and my husband as our sole breadwinner, we struggle to make ends meet. Our son’s developmental disability journey is adding a little extra side rollercoaster for us. This prize would help us breathe again, create magical memories with our kids, and take them to Disneyland – a dream come true!” To vote for Scarlett, visit babyoftheyear.org/2024/scarlett-hendren.
Eden Crotts
Miss Eden
Eden Crotts is the daughter of Magdalena and Andrew Crotts, of the Wittenburg Community of Alexander County. The Crotts said, “Eden is our little princess. She is our ray of sunshine, so silly, bossy and curious! She loves to follow her big sister around and she loves to snack all day long. She is big time daddy’s girl and mommy and sister’s world. Sissy loves to be playing outside, getting dirty with chalk is her favorite. She could also play in water all day if mommy let her. Inside she loves to watch Miss Rachel and say “oh oh” every time she drops something on purpose. She is our little cuddle bug as well.”
They noted the Grand Prize would be very helpful. “Winning $25,000 right now would be the biggest blessing for our family. When Eden was born, I decided to stay home with her for a while and daddy became the only provider till I go back to work. The money would definitely help us relieve some stress when it comes to every month expenses. Also to be able to save for a trip with our family next year, to create wonderful memories,” Mrs. Crotts stated. To vote for Eden, visit https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/eden-19f1.
Livvy Hammer
Miss Livvy
Livvy Paige Hammer, 9 months old, is the daughter of Isaac and Nicole Hammer.
“Livvy is a whole lot of personality wrapped into a tiny body,” her parents said. “She loves big by giving the sweetest cuddles and slobbery kisses. She is a on the go and outgoing baby with a guaranteed squeal along the way! What are Livvy Hammer’s favorite activities? Livvy’s most favorite thing to do right now is watch her big brothers play and trying to get in on the fun. She also loves to try and sing at the top of her lungs no matter if she is at church or in the car. Another favorite thing of Livvy’s is her food and eating. If she sees it she wants to try it and then eat every last bite!”
If they win, Mrs. Hammer said, “Receiving $25,000 would give my husband and I the opportunity to build savings accounts for our 3 children. Our children could use this money we put back for them for college, to start their own entrepreneurship or even to keep as a savings for their adulthood. We want them to be given opportunities to do the things they love and feel lead to do as the grow into adults without financial hardships and this $25,000 would give us a fantastic start to providing this for our children.” To vote for Livvy, visit https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/livvy-hammer.
Berkley Hart Lackey
Miss Berkley
Berkley Hart Lackey’s personality is described as funny, feisty, and sweet. Berkley’s favorite activities are playing with her sister Landri, and “getting into everything.” Her family said the $25,000 prize, if won, would go to their children’s education. To vote for Berkley, visit https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/berkley-645e.
Whitley Knox
Whitley Knox
Whitley Knox’s parents describe her personality as “loud and spunky. She’s the loudest one in the house! Whitley’s laugh is contagious, it sounds like a baby doll. She loves to smile and show off her dimple. Her feet go to bouncing when she’s excited.Social butterfly as long as she can see her mama close by! (Mama is her favorite person even though she calls for dada all day long) Sour patch kid at heart, she’ll try to cry and smile at the same time. Strong willed the girl never gives up. She gives the best hugs and nuzzles your neck.”
Whitley’s favorite activities include “playing with her older brother, Lincoln. They’ll giggle together all day long until Whitley poops! She enjoys rubbing her feet on our cat, Mama. She loves when Dada blows kisses on her neck and says, “’hey, little babe!’ Sucking on her big toe is an all time favorite right now. Napping on Mama is her go to for sleeping. Whitley is trying new foods only to spit them out and laugh after! Our little Quick Draw McGraw has the fastest hands when she wants something she shouldn’t have.”
The Knoxes said, “The $25,000 would impact our family tremendously. The financial burden of living in today’s society is tough. This would help contribute to our everyday living and start a savings for our children.” To vote for Whitley, visit https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/whitley-knox.
Bailey Chase
Miss Bailey
Bailey Chase is described as, “a giver, she loves to share with those she loves even if it is her chewed up fruit! She is very smart, observant, and tries to be as helpful as a one-year-old can be! She has a smile that lights up the world and the brightest baby blues you’ve ever seen! Bailey loves to break out some killer dance moves to some classic rock music like The Rolling Stones, she loves to shadow her big brother around and try to help everyone out around the house.” If won, the $25,000 prize would “would impact our family immensely. I could start her college fund and make sure I never have to worry about her not having a stable financial situation to go through college,” her mom said. To vote for Bailey, visit https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/bailey-chase.
Benjamin Johnson
Mister Benjamin
Benjamin Johnson’s parents say he “is very outgoing. He is so talkative for his age. He is constantly singing, playing, and dancing. Benjamin absolutely adores his cousins and loves his family. One of his favorite songs right now is Jesus loves me. Benjamin is fast to wave or give a high five to everyone he meets. Benjamin loves pretending to play the guitar and drums. He is always singing and dancing. Benjamin loves being outside and riding anything with wheels.”
His family said the prize money “would help go to help Benjamin pursue in goals and or dreams he may have in the future whether that be college or a technical institute. The money would also go towards our church and those in need.” To vote for Benjamin, visit https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/benjamin-dce7.
Liam Davis
Mister Liam
Liam, the son of Ashley Davis of Alexander County, said her son is “so charismatic & a happy baby everywhere we go. Says hi to everyone, smiles, and brings joy to everyone. He brightens everyone’s day.” To vote for Liam, visit https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/liam-alexander-davis.
Jackson Blake
Mister Jackson
Jackson Blake is in the running, too. His parents describe him as “such a happy baby, he smiles at everyone he sees! He is the biggest flirt with the girls.” His favorite activities include “trying to walk, and playing with his big sister.” Jackson’s mother stated, “I had to quit my job shortly after Jacks was born to be able to help my mom, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three weeks after his birth. She passed this April. The money would go towards finishing paying his NICU bills, as with my quitting my job left us short and in a financial bind with medical bills. It would be such a great blessing to be able to pay off that bill, as his NICU STAFF was AMAZING!” To vote for Jackson, visit https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/jackson-b897.
Voting for the Top 20 babies in each group ends on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at 7 p.m. PDT (there are several rounds of voting).
