Entertainment

Super dads!

No matter how tired John Chen is, he always makes time for his daughter, contest winner Jessie.

No matter how tired John Chen is, he always makes time for his daughter, contest winner Jessie. (
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Kayla (left), with sister Emma, says her father, Army Sgt. Gerard Schnell, is the best daddy and soldier.

Kayla (left), with sister Emma, says her father, Army Sgt. Gerard Schnell, is the best daddy and soldier. (
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Maybe it was the chance to win tickets to Broadway’s “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” — or some nudging from their moms. Whatever the case, The Post’s young readers came through with an avalanche of heartfelt essays about their real-life heroes: their fathers.

Entries came from all over the five boroughs, Long Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, most of them written in pen, pencil or crayon. Then again, this being the New York metro area, one 6-year-old Manhattanite sent his via “my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry.” A few 4-year-olds even took to their iPads — with their mother’s help.

Whatever the medium, the message was the same: Good fathers are the ones who make time for their children — to listen to them, comfort them, read to them. In a field this strong, it was hard to pick just three winners. Congratulations to Jessie Chen, Kevin Ceballos and Jesse Koblin and all the honorable mentions for writing such moving notes about the heroic men in their lives — not just fathers, but grandfathers, stepfathers, big brothers and uncles. As 13-year-old Geidily Beaton puts it: “It’s nice to have a father figure in my life.” Make time to thank the hero in your life tomorrow — Father’s Day.

Utterly super

Not many people entertain hundreds of Superman fans with trivia just for fun. At the Annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Ill., my dad volunteers his free time to make a Jeopardy-like game called Superman Trivia. He creates his own prizes for all ages, and everyone leaves the game with a prize. His game not only gives people a chance to showcase their Superman knowledge, but it gives everyone a chance to believe in heroes again.

— Janine Rinaldi, 18, Toms River, NJ

The survivor

My Dad is invincible. He has survived both World Trade Center attacks, while saving an individual in the process. My Dad is the definition of a super hero not only through his actions, but also in the way that he carries himself in his daily life. My Dad wakes up for his job at an hour when most people are fast asleep to support his family. My Dad is a real- life hero.

— Samantha Massaro, 17, Huntington, NY

From Haiti with love

I am from Haiti. I grew up in a very quiet area where everyone had to fight for their life, especially my father. He had been there for me since my mother left for New York so she could make money to provide food for us . . .

Having a goal in life wouldn’t be easy for me if I did not have a father to encourage me. At night before sleep, he would tell me never to let myself down. Also, “Never make money but from the sweat of your own forehead, because when it is yours, no one will have power over it.” He is not only awesome for what he does for me, but because he is my father.

— Anne Dallemand, 16, Queens

Cuddles and chocolate-chip pancakes

Have you ever had a dad that cares for you in every way, makes you feel happy when you’re sad? I have a dad like that. He plays soccer or lacrosse with me any day or night. Before bed, he cuddles with me. That’s the best part of my day! I love his delicious chocolate-chip pancakes. He gives me a huge hug before work. I love it! My dad is my superhero.

— Alexa Kitaygorodsky, 7, Scarsdale, NY

‘He says I look beautiful’

My dad is a hero because he is always there for me! He is so awesome because he is funny, nice and most of all he is handsome. Sometimes he even comes home early from work just to see me. Whatever I wear he says I look beautiful . . . I’m so lucky!

— Rachel Kitaygorodsky, 7, Scarsdale, NY

He DAREs to do more

My dad is my hero. He plays basketball with me and my 9-year-old sister, Olivia. I know he is a great policeman because he teaches fifth graders the DARE program, which helps kids stay away from drugs and alcohol — also not to be a bully. He’s been a policeman for 26 years but only started teaching DARE on a very sad day, 9-11-01, and he always tells his students about that day.

— Nicholas Triano, 12, Cranford, NJ

The fixer!

My dad is a superhero to me and my brothers. Dad works a lot for his family. The phone rings and he goes to work because there is an emergency. He crawls under and hangs off the George Washington Bridge like Spider-Man. The first time I went to Take Your Kid to Work he had to leave to fix something. I think my dad is a real hero. I want to be like him.

— Edison Early, 7, Monroe, NJ

My brother, my All-Star

My brother is a hero to me because whenever I need him, he is always there for me. Just like his teammates can count on him, I can too. He won the championship game for his baseball team by hitting a home run. I can go to him about any problem I have and he won’t say a word to anyone, if I ask him not to. He is not only a baseball all-star, he is an awesome big brother.

— Gianna Bavuso, 12, Queens

Out of this world

He is a hero because he loves me so much. He plays Imaginext superheroes with me and buys me toys. He plays soccer outside with me and when he puts me to bed he kisses me good night and tucks me in with my blankets. I love him to the moon and to the ocean and to the sun.

— Lorenzo Martinez, 4 (as told to his mom, Penni), Kearny, NJ

Saved from drowning

My amazing, loving, awesome dad, Rafael Lopez, is one of the most important people in my life and my very own Spider-Man. He shows traits like protective instincts, hard working habits, and incredible strength . . . My dad single-handedly saved my cousin and I from drowning in our pool — and we didn’t even have to yell!

— Anaira Isa Lopez, 10, Yonkers, NY

‘Love wrapped up’

There is not a better dad on this earth.

He is superb

He is a big kid

He loves being at all my activities

He loves me so he stays home Fridays

He loves being my best softball coach

He loves taking me out for breakfast

He loves to snuggle

He loves teaching me guitar

He loves my mommy and me and my sister to no end.

He is so smart, almost a genius.

He is love wrapped up in a boy

— Emma Lee, 9, Westport, Conn.

Cry uncle!

My Uncle Bobby takes me to baseball games, takes me hiking, makes short videos with me to highlight my budding film career and thinks I’m funny. I would like to nominate my uncle Bobby, because isn’t the best dad someone who loves you and spends time with you no matter what?

— Raphael Ellison, 6, Manhattan

A good boyfriend’s hard to find

A great dad is someone who cares, helps and is always there for you. I have that one special man in my life, my mom’s boyfriend. He may not be my dad or my stepdad but he’s the closest thing I have to a father. I believe he is heroic because he is always there for me. Even though he got laid off of his job he still helps to provide for my mom and my siblings. He created his own job to help provide for us by working as a contractor. Now he works day and night, with his own business. He’s the most important man in not only my life but in my mom’s too. He’s my hero because he puts a smile on my mom’s face and mine all the time.

— Chumani Flick, 14, Brooklyn

Superhuman endurance!

I would like to nominate my dad, Danny Gonzalez Sr., for the superhero contest because he dedicates all of his weekends to my love of baseball and dream of making it to the major leagues. I play over 100 games a year — sometimes eight or nine games a week — and he takes me to all of them because my mom is pregnant and can’t sit at ball fields with no bathrooms . . . He has no time to himself.

— Danny Gonzalez Jr., 13, Queens

Baseball buddies

At night I love it when my dad and I stay up late watching baseball (and my brothers are asleep!). Dad and I love each other so-o-o much, you wouldn’t believe how much!

— Marty Brophy, 6, Manhattan

‘He can fix anything!’

I think my dad is a superhero because he teaches me how to play baseball, he helps me with my homework, he drives me to school. He is like Spider-Man because he has muscles and he can fix anything. I also think my Dad is a superhero because he works so hard long hours every day to give me and my brothers and Mom everything we need. I wanna be just like him when I grow up.

— Vincent Cupola, 7, Wantagh, NY

Dear Dad . . .

You are the best dad a boy can ask for. What other dad can take care of the family, work hard and have fun like you? You hook me and everyone else up with your specialties. We go to fun places with you. You and I go camping and it is fun. If you were not my dad, I would be a depressed guy. I love you, Dad, with all my heart.

— Paul Russell, 10, Queens

He’s the REAL Spidey!

I know Spider-Man sounded so heroic in those comics. I’m not saying he’s not cool, but when I think about it, I realize my dad is the real Spider-Man!

He swings his webs all over New York City! Every morning he takes me and my brother to our schools. Then he travels far to work and protects innocent people as their lawyer. At night, he cooks and entertains us.

My dad is the Real Spider-Man!

–Jesse Koblin, nearly 9, The Bronx

Funny, random
and real

My dad dances and shakes his butt at my parties. He’s super funny and makes cool jokes. He’s a veteran from the Army and I’m glad he’s here today. He gets burned like a lobster and he throws me in the pool. He sings Journey really loud and makes our dog spaz out. He’s a great cook when it comes down to chicken cutlets. I love my dad, he’s funny, random and my superhero.

–Carey Martell, 15, Effort, Pa.

Hard-earned happiness

My dad is a hard-working man who came here from China when I was 1 year old. When he came to this country he didn’t have much, but today he owns his own business. He wakes up very early in the morning and comes home late at night to provide for our family. No matter how tired he is, he always makes time for me. Many nights we will stay up and watch television, he will ask me about school and what book I’m reading. Whenever I need anything he’s always there to get it for me. When I’m down, he always tries to make me happy because he says that when I’m happy, he is happy.

–Jessie Chen, 13, Brooklyn

A different type of hero

Right now, my dad is sitting in front of the television, watching some boring documentary on the National Geographic Channel. Occasionally, he’ll bite his nails, or reach down to pet my yellow lab, Riley. From where I’m standing, you wouldn’t think he was anything but the typical father. But boy, you are so wrong.

My dad, Eugene Normoyle, is the most generous man in the universe. Everything he does is for the benefit of others . . . In the winter, he volunteers at a homeless shelter. Once every two weeks, he makes a trip to the soup kitchen, and he’ll donate bags of food. Even when we’re just walking down the street, he is the first person to pull out money for someone who needs it.

No, my dad didn’t fight in any wars, or save anybody’s life. My dad is a different type of hero. He’s not afraid to speak his mind about something he thinks is wrong, and he certainly doesn’t care if there isn’t something for him to gain. He’s taught me so much about being a giving person, and in the long run, that’s the heroic act that matters the most.

–Kristen Normoyle, 15, Newburgh, NY

He’s as strong as iron!

I strongly believe that my dad is Iron Man, a k a Tony Stark. Out of all the four kids in my family, he makes me feel most special about myself. My dad is not home that much, though. We spend not much time together. He tries to get home as early as he can. My dad helps people, like me. But when he is home, he does the best he can to make us happy. My dad, the hero already.

–Sanjay Singh, 10, Queens

In the Army—and in their hearts

My daddy is a soldier and he is in the Army in Afghanistan.

He has been gone since

January and my baby sister and me really miss him a lot. This is his third time being away from his family to fight for our country. He is the best daddy and soldier in the world. When he comes home, we are going to go to the park and Disney World, and go to feed the ducks. My daddy is my hero.

–Kayla Schnell, 4 (as told to mom Kathryn Schnell), Staten Island

Big step up

My dad is my stepdad, but he is better than any father I could ever imagine. He drives the horses and carriages in Central Park all day and night. He loves his horses as much as he loves me! Even though he works hard to keep the food on the table, he always has time to spend with his beautiful little girl. I’m the only daughter in his life and even though I’m not his birth child he makes me feel like I am. We do so many things together, we shop for food, cook together, and sometimes even do laundry. It’s nice to have a father figure in my life.

–Geidily Beaton, 13, Brooklyn

The gift of time

There’s one person that I look up to. He isn’t any TV hero, he’s my own hero, my dad. He’s a hero because he works and doesn’t always sleep, but always finds food for my family. Although he’s tired he never stops asking, “You need anything?” He spends time with me which makes him heroic because some kids don’t see their dads often. My dad completes me . . . he’s the best dad ANYONE could have.

–Kevin Ceballos, 14, Queens

Everything but the cape

Our superdad is a hero because, like Superman with his cape, he appears in a flash at every softball practice, fashion class and school event. Like Spider-Man, he will scale the tallest skyscraper to make us equally happy at all times. Like the Incredible Hulk, he has a split personality — career man by day, coolest guy on the planet at night. He is so SUPERB, you almost wonder why he is not wearing a costume!

–Ava and Brooke Goldman, 10 and 11, Manhattan