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Gibsonton father's 'miracle catch' earns him Roundtable recognition

 
Scot Hill, enjoys time with his daughter, Avery, 11, who wrote an essay that earned him the title of 2018 Father of the Year. The duo will be honored by riding in the Brandon Fourth of July Parade. The essay contest and the parade are presented annually by the Community Roundtable. JOYCE MCKENZIE | Special to the Times
Scot Hill, enjoys time with his daughter, Avery, 11, who wrote an essay that earned him the title of 2018 Father of the Year. The duo will be honored by riding in the Brandon Fourth of July Parade. The essay contest and the parade are presented annually by the Community Roundtable. JOYCE MCKENZIE | Special to the Times
Published June 17, 2018

BRANDON — Scot Hill once took his son Owen and his toddler daughter Avery fishing at the Alafia River, and ended up catching a miracle he'll never forget.

Hill, a divorced father who resided in Nashville several years ago, came to town to spend the weekend with his children, who lived with their mother Lisa Hill in Brandon.

He anticipated a day of family fun sitting on the banks of the river, but the occasion didn't go as planned.

"I turned around to bait a hook or something and I realized Avery was not there," Scot Hill said. "I just panicked and when I saw her in the water and my mind went into a very dark place because I was thinking of the alligators there.

"My immediate priority was getting her out, but when I reached down to grab her, all I got was the diaper she had on," he continued. "So I jumped in and rescued her and quickly swam and tossed her on the land. … As I finally got myself together I looked over at her and she had a big smile on her face. She was just as happy as could be."

Avery, now 11, has no recollection of what happened that day. But she's heard her dad, who now lives in Gibsonton, tell his Alafia miracle story on multiple occasions.

So Avery, who finished fifth grade at Symmes Elementary School this year, shared the story when she nominated her dad for the Community Roundtable's annual Father of the Year contest.

The roundtable's judging committee selected Avery's essay out of the more than 50 contest entries submitted by students.

"This is definitely something I will remember my whole life," she said. "I think it's very cool."

Symmes Elementary School Principal AnnMarie Rothenbush described Avery as a person who always treats others with kindness and respect.

"We are so excited that Avery has been chosen for this honor," Rothenbush said. "She is a wonderful young lady and student.

Second place went to 11-year-old Casey Claassen from Foundation Christian Academy, who wrote about her father, Dan Claassen; and the third-place winner was Sierra Farrell, 7, a Brandon Academy student who composed an essay about her dad, Todd Farrell.

As the top award recipient, Avery and her father will ride as honored guests in the 2018 Fourth of July Parade, presented annually by the Community Roundtable.

What's more, Scot will receive a free round of golf for four, compliments of Buckhorn Springs Country Club. Along with Dan Claaseen and Todd Farrell, he'll also take home multiple in-kind gifts from a total of 11 other area businesses.

And as a special keepsake, each of the top three winners will be given a framed copy of their entries.

"I'm really proud of Avery, but I am of both my kids," Scot Hill said. "They are compassionate, caring and loving.

"Avery is really, really smart and they both have great manners, and I think that comes from their mom."

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Lisa Hill, in fact, prides herself in striving to be the best single mom she can be.

But she had no idea her daughter wrote the essay about her dad until she heard she'd won first place in the contest.

"Avery is an amazing and driven child who does outstanding in school," Lisa said. "When I come home from work I never have to ask is she's done her homework because I always know she has."

Contact Joyce McKenzie at hillsnews@tampabay.com.