ST. CROIX INFANT ADVANCES IN $25,000 BABY OF THE YEAR CONTEST

Mehlanee Graham, a St. Croix child, is among the final 10,000 competitors in the national Baby of the Year contest after the field narrowed from more than 300,000 original participants.

Her family is urging residents throughout the US Virgin Islands and overseas communities to vote for her as the competition approaches its close. The top prize includes $25,000, a professional photo shoot to appear in a Variety magazine advertorial, and a spot in a national advertising campaign with The Honest Company.

Colossal Management runs the competition using public voting to select winners. Every 24 hours, supporters may cast one free vote after confirming their eligibility via Facebook or text message. Adults can purchase additional votes through donations.

Proceeds from fundraising go to Baby2Baby, a national nonprofit supplying diapers, clothing and other necessities to vulnerable children and families. DTCare collects donations and transfers grants to Baby2Baby following deduction of expenses and administrative costs.

Voting concludes on November 5, with the national winner announced by December 5, 2026. Mehlanee's family has asked businesses, organisations and individuals wishing to participate to consult the competition's official rules for donation details.