{"id":10925,"date":"2026-05-27T18:27:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T18:27:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?p=10925"},"modified":"2026-05-27T18:27:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T18:27:05","slug":"au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p>Every year, Au Pair USA host families around the country nominate their au pairs for the Au Pair of the Year contest. These families take the time to share how their au pairs have made their lives better in so many different ways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While we received dozens of nominations this year, we selected five stories that were powerful examples of the special relationships that are formed through the Au Pair USA program. Here are the winners of the 2025 Au Pair of the Year contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Grand Prize Winner: Liliana Sanchez Gomez, Mexico<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lili: Au Pair of the Year 2025 Nomination\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fVqYaJATF10?start=1&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:19.07340%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-califlow-runs-1-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-califlow-runs-1-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=800&#038;ssl=1 800w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"10945\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10945\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-califlow-runs-1-683x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-califlow-runs-1-683x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:42.77979%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1-1024x683.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1-1024x683.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1-1024x683.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"800\" data-id=\"10943\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10943\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1-1024x683.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:19.07340%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-christmas-hands-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-christmas-hands-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=800&#038;ssl=1 800w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"10942\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10942\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-christmas-hands-683x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-christmas-hands-683x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:19.07340%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-dog-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-dog-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=800&#038;ssl=1 800w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"10944\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10944\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-dog-683x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-dog-683x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Lili\u2019s host family nominated her for her consistency, her creativity, and her response to a challenging incident that said everything about her character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While her host parents were away from home, a medical emergency required their young son to go to the hospital late at night. Lili\u2019s quick response showed that she knew exactly what needed to be done. She stayed at the hospital and kept everyone calm, including the parents on the phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe remained by our son\u2019s side as if he were her own family,\u201d her host family wrote. \u201cHer bravery and commitment went far beyond duty; it was an act of pure love and responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout her time on the Au Pair program, Lili built a language-rich environment for her host family\u2019s twin children, teaching them to count to 100 in both English and Spanish before their second birthday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond her childcare duties, Lili also took up running, joined a local running group, and completed the LA Marathon. She made the most of every part of her year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Runner-Up: Sheila Vozmediano Gonzalez, Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10933\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-park-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10933\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-park-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-park-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-park-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-park-1.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10934\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-christmas-nyc-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-christmas-nyc-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-christmas-nyc-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-christmas-nyc-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-christmas-nyc.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10932\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-halloween-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10932\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-halloween-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-halloween-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-halloween-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-halloween.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sheila was the sixteenth au pair her host family interviewed before they made a match. From her first email, \u201cI love your family, so my choice is clear,\u201d to sixteen months of extraordinary care for three children under five, she gained her host family\u2019s confidence completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her host family described Sheila as someone who cared for their children \u201cas if they were her own siblings.\u201d She shared her culture by making Christmas Eve tapas for the extended family. She managed to keep a family vacation on track when things got challenging. And when her host mom\u2019s schedule shifted during a difficult family transition, Sheila adjusted without giving it a second thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe is a member of our family,\u201d her host family wrote. \u201cThe two years she\u2019ll spend as our au pair are just the beginning of a lifelong friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Runner-Up: Megan Idrees, Namibia&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10930\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-host-family-christmas-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10930\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-host-family-christmas-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-host-family-christmas-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-host-family-christmas-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-host-family-christmas.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10929\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-posing-on-deck-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10929\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-posing-on-deck-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-posing-on-deck-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-posing-on-deck-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-kids-posing-on-deck.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"689\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10927\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/img_4698.jpeg-689x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10927\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/img_4698.jpeg-689x1024.jpg 689w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/img_4698.jpeg-202x300.jpg 202w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/img_4698.jpeg-768x1141.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/img_4698.jpeg-1034x1536.jpg 1034w, https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/img_4698.jpeg.jpg 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 689px) 100vw, 689px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Megan\u2019s host family was drawn to her from the moment they viewed her profile. What they found when she arrived exceeded every expectation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two of the family\u2019s three children are neurodivergent. Megan cared for each child based on their individual needs. . She helped a shy middle schooler build confidence until she was forming real friendships. She became a trusted confidante for the middle child. She supported speech development and provided steady, loving care for the youngest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe is not only the best au pair we could have been matched with,\u201d her host family wrote, \u201cbut truly one of the best people we could have ever hoped to welcome into our home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Honorable Mentions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-square\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row columns-2\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-baby-nature-683x1024.jpg?resize=600%2C600&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-baby-nature-683x1024.jpg?resize=800%2C800&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 800w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"10936\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10936\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-baby-nature-683x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-baby-nature-683x1024.jpg?ssl=1&amp;resize=800%2C800\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-child-reading-1024x683.jpg?resize=600%2C600&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-child-reading-1024x683.jpg?resize=800%2C800&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 800w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"800\" data-id=\"10935\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10935\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-child-reading-1024x683.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-child-reading-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1&amp;resize=800%2C800\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row columns-3\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-museum-1024x683.jpg?resize=600%2C600&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-museum-1024x683.jpg?resize=800%2C800&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 800w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"800\" data-id=\"10937\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10937\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-museum-1024x683.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-museum-1024x683.jpg?ssl=1&amp;resize=800%2C800\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-baby-halloween-683x1024.png?resize=600%2C600&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-baby-halloween-683x1024.png?resize=800%2C800&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 800w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"10938\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10938\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-baby-halloween-683x1024.png\" data-width=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-baby-halloween-683x1024.png?ssl=1&amp;resize=800%2C800\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-holding-baby-683x1024.png?resize=600%2C600&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-holding-baby-683x1024.png?resize=800%2C800&#038;strip=info&#038;ssl=1 800w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"10939\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?attachment_id=10939\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-holding-baby-683x1024.png\" data-width=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-holding-baby-683x1024.png?ssl=1&amp;resize=800%2C800\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This year\u2019s Honorable Mentions went to two au pairs whose host families wrote with equal conviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lina Olaya Ramirez, Colombia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lina Olaya Ramirez joined her Texas family in fall 2024, moved with them across the state, sewed Halloween costumes, helped unpack a house, and stepped up during a family loss so that her host dad could be fully present with his father in his final weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe feel like we won the lottery with Lina,\u201d her family wrote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Paula Alzate Garcia, Colombia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Paula Alzate Garcia has been with her family for 14 months, long enough to hold their newborn at three days old and become so embedded in the family that their toddler does not say \u201cau pair.\u201d He says, \u201cMy Paula.\u201d In her host family\u2019s words: \u201cShe doesn\u2019t know how to only do the bare minimum\u2026that isn\u2019t who she is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What&#8217;s Next in 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Congratulations to all five winners, and thank you to every host family who shared their story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2026 Au Pair of the Year contest is coming later this year, so stay tuned. In the meantime, watch previous winners on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLgjbGJ7lj8AhrAaKNs8F8T-Zqg_d6zoaX\">YouTube playlist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every year, Au Pair USA host families around the country nominate their au pairs for the Au Pair of the Year contest. Here are the winners of the 2025 Au Pair of the Year contest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":10943,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,22],"tags":[32,53],"class_list":["post-10925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-become-host-family","category-cultural-exchange-stories","tag-au-pair","tag-host-family"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Au Pair Life Host Family Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-27T18:27:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-27T18:27:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Katie Homer\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Katie Homer\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Katie Homer\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#\/schema\/person\/6a84645058a558df0cc0e63ffec69412\"},\"headline\":\"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-27T18:27:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-27T18:27:05+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/\"},\"wordCount\":769,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"au pair\",\"host family\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Become a Host Family\",\"Cultural Exchange\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/\",\"name\":\"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-27T18:27:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-27T18:27:05+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#\/schema\/person\/6a84645058a558df0cc0e63ffec69412\"},\"description\":\"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/\",\"name\":\"Au Pair Life Host Family Blog\",\"description\":\"Our au pair host family blog provides various beneficial topics about hosting an au pair. Visit Au Pair USA&#039;s au pair blog here!\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#\/schema\/person\/6a84645058a558df0cc0e63ffec69412\",\"name\":\"Katie Homer\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/author\/khomer\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners","description":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners","og_description":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners","og_url":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/","og_site_name":"Au Pair Life Host Family Blog","article_published_time":"2026-05-27T18:27:03+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-05-27T18:27:05+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Katie Homer","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Katie Homer","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/"},"author":{"name":"Katie Homer","@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#\/schema\/person\/6a84645058a558df0cc0e63ffec69412"},"headline":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners","datePublished":"2026-05-27T18:27:03+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-27T18:27:05+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/"},"wordCount":769,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg","keywords":["au pair","host family"],"articleSection":["Become a Host Family","Cultural Exchange"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/","url":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/","name":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-05-27T18:27:03+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-27T18:27:05+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#\/schema\/person\/6a84645058a558df0cc0e63ffec69412"},"description":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg","width":1200,"height":800},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/cultural-exchange-stories\/au-pair-of-the-year-contest-winners\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Meet Our \u201cAu Pair of the Year\u201d Contest Winners"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#website","url":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/","name":"Au Pair Life Host Family Blog","description":"Our au pair host family blog provides various beneficial topics about hosting an au pair. Visit Au Pair USA&#039;s au pair blog here!","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/#\/schema\/person\/6a84645058a558df0cc0e63ffec69412","name":"Katie Homer","url":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/author\/khomer\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/au-pair-family-pumpkin-patch-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10925"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10925\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10947,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10925\/revisions\/10947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/host-families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}