Dhalaynie Turner in Super Kid Contest

Dhalaynie Turner is into just about everything, her mother, Tia Turner, says. She plays soccer (her team just placed second in a tournament), she attends dance classes, she helps take care of her grandfather, and she helps her little brother, Alaryck, with his reading.

She can also be found hanging with her best friend, Grayson Naff. They have been friends since they met in kindergarten and are now in 5th grade at LT Ball Intermediate School. When Grayson needs help (he has vision loss from a genetic condition), Dhalaynie is there for him - both in school and after school. She sounds like a super kid.

Which brings us to the national contest sponsored by The Stan Lee Foundation, whose mission is to promote literacy and the narrative arts. They are the sponsor of Stan Lee’s Super Kid contest and will award the winner the opportunity to star as a superhero in a Stan Lee comic book. The Super Kid will also win four VIP tickets to the L.A. Comic Con in 2027 and $25,000.  

The contestants are assigned “missions” as they advance in the contest, and Dhalaynie’s current mission is to get publicity through newspapers, television, radio, and podcasts - essentially anything media-related. With each move up on the leaderboard, a new mission is assigned to the contestants. Upon entry, competitors were divided into groups and advanced to the initial “Top Twenty” public voting ground.  Subsequent public voting rounds will reduce the number of competitors.

As part of the most recent mission, Dhalaynie recently spent a Sunday walking the city and handing out contest fliers to local businesses. Turner commented that each one of them was eager to help. In addition, Dhalaynie was a recent guest on Outworldfleetradio.online with host David Dixon. One question she was asked was what three things she wanted to do when she grew up. Her answer was an interesting variety of goals: “Soccer player, teacher, and astronaut.”

Dhalaynie speaks fondly of her friend Grayson. “We (both) are similar. We like the same things. I spend a lot of time with him; we’re like family.”

Emily Blackburn, Grayson’s mother, described Grayson’s and Dhalaynie’s friendship, “What started as a childhood friendship has grown into something truly special.” She added that Dhalaynie goes in early to school with Grayson to get ready for their day. In addition, she said, “She’s not afraid to hold his white cane for him when he’s getting out of the car, or at any point! We love having Dhalaynie in our lives.”

The contest page has three questions for contestants. Dhalaynie’s favorite superhero? The Black Panther - because of his compassion. Where did her love of comics and superheroes come from? From her grandpa, who has collected comics since he was six years old, and from her parents. The super power she would like to have? Invisibility. She would like to help others but not let them know she is doing it.

Dhalaynie is close to her grandfather (she lost her father when she was 17 months old) who lives in Fairborn and enjoys doing different activities with him. One such activity was learning how to use a bow and arrow. “She’s a tomboy, and she’s a diva!” Turner said with a laugh. Dhalaynie commented that she does “dress up” sometimes, but it’s usually when she’s with her brother. Who would she take to L.A. with her if she ends up the winner? Her mom, her brother, and of course, Grayson.

Go to https://thesuperkid.org/2026/dhalaynie-597e to cast your vote. Free daily voting is allowed every 24 hours, and additional votes can be cast by donation anytime. Final voting is November 13-19, and the grand prize winner will be announced on or before December 17. Currently, Dhalaynie is in 4th place in her group.