Local child on path to be Toddler of the Year

A two-year-old child who was born premature is vying to become Toddler of the Year in a national competition.

Asteria Gatlin, 2, was born two months prematurely, her mother, Cleopatra Smith, told the Bulletin. She weighed only two pounds at birth and spent three months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. But despite her difficult beginning, she is at the top of a national competition to be named Toddler of the Year. If Asteria wins, her family will receive $25,000. The competition is hosted by Colossal and is a nationwide campaign to raise funds and awareness for Toys for Tots, a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Because Asteria came so early, an artery in her heart did not close at birth the way it should.

This required surgery, which led to complications for Asteria’s left lung, Smith said. But Asteria has rallied and, except for a possible stint surgery for her heart in the future, has proven to be a healthy child.

“She has been through the ringer with testing,” Smith said. “She saw every neurological specialist.”

Smith said watching her daughter go through all of that was really stressful as a mom.

“It’s truly amazing how much the brain protects you during these stressful moments. We went through it but getting to see her makes all the stress go away,” Smith said.

Earlier this year, Smith came across the competition and entered her daughter. She said she hopes to use the money to help pay for medical expenses associated with her daughter’s medical journey and, also, to take Asteria to see the ocean.

So far, Asteria is at the top of her category for two-and-three-year-old children, Smith said. People vote online for Toddler of the Year.

Voting closes soon. The winner will be announced in late September. For more info: https://toddleroftheyear.org/2025/asteria-5e0e