The Miami Times

WINNERS IN CARNATION HEALTHY BABY CONTEST

Little Charles I. McRay is the "Toast of Miami" today. This healthy, happy tot, age 9 months, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McRay, 3290 NW 45th st. was chosen by the judges last Friday evening as the first prize winner in the Second Annual Hometown Carnation "Healthy Baby Contest."

Some 20 youngsters from among more than 230 entrants in this year's contest appeared last evening with their parents and friends at the James E. Scott Homes auditorium where they displayed their charms in exchange for honors bestowed on the 20 finalists.

As "King" of the occasion, first prize winner Charles McRay was awarded $300 in cash. When interviewed after the presentation of this honor, your reporter was rewarded by a beaming smile and happy assurances of the proud parents that the money would be used for Charles's education.

Winner of the second prize of $100 was Richetta McNeil, one year old, daughter of Mrs. Cora Lamb, 420 NW 16th st. Judith Lucille Crawford, age 3, whose parents are Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Crawford of 628 SW 8th ave., Homestead, took third prize honors of $50.

In addition to these three top winners, the judges selected 17 other finalists, each of whom were awarded $5.00 in cash. These included:

Lynn R. Wilson, 13 months, daughter of Mrs. Mary R. Wilson, 205 NW 6th place.
Debra Yvette Edwards, 4 months, daughter of Mrs. Alberta L. Edwards, 7130 NW 21st court.
Arthur E. Johnson, 19 months, son of Mrs. Wilhelmina Minnis, 415 NW 17th street.
Jeffrey R. Dixon, 11 months, son of Mrs. Willie Lee Dixon, 214 Jefferson Drive.
Deborah Jean Brown, 11 months, daughter of Mrs. Ira Lee Brown, 426 NW 7th street.
Rickey Donald Aytch, 8 months, son of Mrs. Juanita L. Aytch, 1335 NW 71st terrace.
Michael Scavella, 3 months, son of Mrs. Yvonne Seavella, 332 NW 51st street.
Denise E. Hall, 28 months, daughter of Mrs. Caretha Shaw, 455 NW 14th terrace.
Stephanie C. Lopez, 7 months, daughter of Mrs. Constance Lopez, 1180 NW 2nd ave.
Witfield Parks, 7 months, son of Mrs. Dorothy Parks, 1700 NW 4th court.
Jennifer Louise Carter, 7 months, daughter of Mrs. Lillie Mae Carter, 2020 NW 3rd ave.
Richard Davis, Jr., 17 months, son of Mrs. Maxine Davis, 16415 NW 22nd court.
Errol Jeronimo Mizell, 6 months, son of Mrs. Earl G. Mizell, 15700 NW 18th ave.
James H. Love, 21 months, son of Mrs. James T. Love, 2750 NW 43rd terrace.
Sandra Teresa Sands, 31 months, daughter of Mrs. Helen Ward Sands, 431 NW 11th street.
Sheba Edna Martin, 19 months, daughter of Mrs. Sheba Major Martin, 1684 NW 73rd street.
Libby Alicia Boston, 8 months, daughter of Mrs. Merlene B. Boston, 1225 NW 70th st.

Dr. James E. Hogan, Dr. G. W. Styles and Dr. Dazelle D. Simpson, three of Miami's leading doctors, made up the medical portion of the judging group. Miss Marie White, leading club and fraternal woman of Miami and Miss Dorothy Sanford, teacher at Dunbar Elementary and Miami Times columnist, were the other two judges.

Much of the success of this Second Annual Hometown Carnation "Healthy Baby Contest" can be attributed to the tireless efforts of these judges who devoted many hours to screening "snapshots" and qualifications of the entrants.

Like last year's contest, the 1955 event was sponsored by the Carnation Company, makers of Carnation Evaporated Milk, known the world over as the leading brand for infant feeding. When first undertaken, the purpose of this contest was announced as a means of turning the spotlight on the high standards of infant care being maintained by the people of this community.

Added to the ever-growing number of parents who depend on Carnation Evaporated Milk for formula feeding are the countless users who prefer it for creaming coffee and for cooking. Satisfaction with the many benefits found in using Carnation milk must be credited to the extensive research and quality control program the makers conduct to assure the utmost goodness in every can.

All of this ties in with the constant effort of the Carnation Co. not only to improve its famous brand of evaporated milk, but to recognize the progress that has been made over the years by the American people in establishing the highest health standards enjoyed in the world today. Toward this end, the Carnation Company looks forward with the citizens of Greater Miami to the continuation of this Hometown "Healthy Baby" Contest for many years to come.

Times photographer Frank Johnson caught these scenes at the final judging in the Second Annual Carnation Healthy Baby Contest.

Upper left judges Sanford, Hogan, White and Simpson scan the entries trying to pick a winner from among the 20 healthy specimens in the finals. Top right are the first three winners held by their mothers: Richetta McNeal, second prize; Charles I. McRay, first prize; Judith Crawford, third prize.

Center section shows the finalists being held by their parents. Bottom left is Claude Wilson, Carnation representative from Los Angeles awarding the $300 cash first prize to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. McRay who are shown with their three children. Bottom center is little Judith Crawford, third prize winner, and at right second prize winner Richetta McNeil receives her $100 prize.