Fort Drum infant advances to quarterfinals of Baby of the Year contest
Fort Drum infant Lyrah Rae Eckley has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Baby of the Year competition, which offers a $25,000 grand prize and benefits Baby2Baby.
By the ClickNNY Fort Drum Desk
Lyrah Rae Eckley, a Fort Drum infant born June 8, 2026, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Baby of the Year competition. The contest offers a $25,000 grand prize and an advertising campaign with The Honest Company, while supporting Baby2Baby through DTCare, the organization that manages the competition.
Lyrah was selected as a candidate when voting began Aug. 31. She was in ninth place within her group at the time, and later advanced to the quarterfinal round. Her family is described as a dual-military family stationed at Fort Drum. The family has said prize money would go toward savings and costs associated with its next permanent change of station move.
The competition's official guide says supporters can cast one free vote every 24 hours. Donation votes also are available through DTCare, with proceeds benefiting Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides necessities to children living in poverty. Quarterfinal voting is underway at Baby of the Year.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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