MARY HARDBARGER The Roanoke Times

Richard Dickerson of Floyd says he and daughter Alaina are like "two peas in a pod."

| Mary Hardbarger

mary.hardbarger@roanoke.com, 381-1679

FLOYD -- Alaina Dickerson is shy around strangers, but when her dad comes into the picture, she's all smiles.

"She's always been this way," said Debbie Dickerson, stepmother of the quiet 8-year-old.

Although hesitant to talk about her relationship with her dad, Richard, she wasn't afraid to share her thoughts in an essay she recently wrote.

In early May, Alaina entered a father-of-the-year contest at Christiansburg Primary School. In the contest sponsored by the Virginia Education Association, elementary school students were asked to write a short essay about their fathers.

She jumped on the opportunity and entered not one, but two essays, nominating her "adopted grandfather," Sammie Akers, for an award as well.

Akers met Richard and his wife -- married now for two years -- at Bible Baptist Church in Christiansburg. There, Akers and Alaina formed a special relationship.

"I love children. I always have," Akers explained. "Alaina is a real likable kid."

Richard Dickerson's father died April 27 from a long battle with diabetes. Before he died, he converted the workshop outside his house into a home for his father and mother. He made sure the shop was completely wheelchair accessible after his father's left leg was amputated because of the illness.

"Richard is a very dedicated man," his wife said. "He'll do anything for anybody."

Richard Dickerson, an electrician and part-time worker at McDonald's, has custody of his daughter every Friday and every other weekend.

Although their visits may be few and far between, the pair say they make the most out of their time together.

"My Daddy is so good to me, he plays with me and takes me to shows and fairs," Alaina wrote in her essay. "He takes care of me when I am sick and I lay in his lap."

His ability to be fully active and interested in his daughter's life, despite not being her full-time caregiver, didn't go unnoticed.

"What admired me about Richard when I met him was his relationship with Alaina," Debbie Dickerson explained. "Not many men want to be involved with their kids after a divorce. ... Richard does."

Two weeks ago, the school notified the second-grader that she had won the contest, beating out 1,500 other elementary school students.

On Saturday, Akers and Richard Dickerson were recognized at Bible Baptist Church during the Father's Day dinner.

They were presented "Father of the Year" plaques and goodie bags provided by the community.

"I felt very honored," Akers said. "Some people even said I had tears in my eyes."

This summer, Alaina and her father have lots in store.

Richard Dickerson's current project is planning his daughter's "water party." He's attempting to pump water from the creek below their house -- "anything for Alaina," he said.

"We're two peas in a pod ... anytime she's here is just more time I can spend with her."