Davie has a new hometown star, and she hasn’t even learned to walk the red carpet yet! Ellie Schmidt, a cheerful little girl with a big personality, is making waves in the national Baby of the Year 2026 competition, recently winning her group and advancing to the quarterfinals.
For Ellie’s proud parents, including her father, Brad Schmidt, the competition has become an exciting family adventure. With thousands of adorable babies vying for the national title, Ellie has already overcome some impressive competition.
As her dad jokingly puts it, she’s won her division and officially made the playoffs!
According to her family, Ellie is a happy, curious, and affectionate baby who loves making people smile. Her favorite activities include exploring the world around her, going for stroller rides, and spending time with her parents and big sister, Callie. She especially enjoys listening to her sister play music, often joining in with her own singing and dancing.
The Baby of the Year competition features babies from across the country competing through multiple rounds of public voting. The grand prize includes $25,000, an appearance in a national advertising campaign with The Honest Company, and recognition in Variety magazine.
Beyond the competition, the program also raises funds supporting Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization that provides diapers, clothing, and other essentials to children living in poverty.
If Ellie wins, her family plans to put the prize money toward her future education and experiences, while also creating special memories for Ellie and her older sister.
For now, the Schmidt family is hoping the Davie community will rally behind its youngest hometown contender as she continues her journey toward the national title.
Win or lose, Ellie has already given her family plenty of reasons to smile. And with a little hometown support, this Davie baby might just go all the way!
