- December 5, 2025
Calvin Butler Jr., uncle Jafaska A. Lloyd Jr., and Mi-Hyla Butler. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Mi-Hyla and her brother, Calvin Butler Jr., and uncle Jafaska A. Lloyd Jr. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Edward Merkel and his dad, Charles R. Merkel. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Jesse Laspeyre and his daughter. Leah. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
A full gym at 8:15 a.m. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Lucia and her dad, David Vlassis. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Over 700 dads/family members crowded into Rymfire Elementary School. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Kaleah Lowe and Carly Ziegler. Dad couldn't make it. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Akshar and Ketan Patel. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Liliana, Gia and George Rego register for Donuts with Dad. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Dr. Earl Johnson, executive director of leadership development of Flagler Schools. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Grayson Harriston and grandpa Victor Eskenazi. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Fernando Soto takes a selfie with his sons, Isaac, Noah and Lucas. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Tom Dunn and his son, Greyson. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Hermione and dad, Matthew Lafleur. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Zoe Rohr and Mike Rohr. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Mike Rohr walks his daughter to her classroom. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Rymfire Elementary school held its Doughnuts with Dad event on Wednesday, Sept. 25, but it was just dads who showed up: Grandparents, moms, uncles and guardians showed up to support the students.
"It is just fun to see the smiles."
MIKE ROHR, Zoe's dad
There were activities on the tables for the kids and adults to work on, a photo booth, the school mascots, and upbeat music. Students and family members enjoyed 700 donuts and almost 100 cookies.
"We always look for significant adults in our students' lives," said Dr. Earl Johnson, executive director of leadership development of Flagler Schools. "It is phenomenal to see the amount of male adults — the fathers, the guardians, grandfathers, uncles — who are here supporting our students."
He said research proves that having a significant male role model helps students be better problem solvers and communicators. "They can tolerate stress and deal with the day to day issues differently," Johnson said.
One dad, Mike Rohr, said this about the event with his daughter, Zoe: "I love it because I can spend more time with her, meet some of her classmates, and be more involved with the school system and administration. And, it is just fun to see the smiles and have pictures of a fun event like this one."
Another father, Charles Merkel, said: "It gives us the opportunity to spend more time with our children and to have a more active role in their lives."
After the event was over, dads walked the students to their classrooms.
