11-year-old from Loudon could be next Stan Lee Super Kid

Eleven-year-old Declan Mancini, of Loudon, is a top finalist for the national Colossal Stan Lee Super Kid competition, held by The Stan Lee Foundation.

The Stan Lee Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization paying tribute to the late Stan Lee, creator of Marvel Comics, by supporting literacy and education programs for children.

The super kid competition is an online contest for children aged 5-17 whose everyday acts of courage and kindness make them a “real life superhero.” Whoever is crowned Stan Lee Super Kid will win $25,000, and become a character in a Stan Lee Universe comic book.

Contestants receive online votes in order to make it to the next round of the competition. Declan’s mom, Sarah Mancini, is spreading the word throughout the community to help Declan get one step closer to becoming his own superhero.

According to Sarah, her son is an “enormous” fan of superheroes and comic books, and starring in his own comic book would be an “absolute dream come true” for the sixth grader.

“Declan had struggled with reading early on, and comic books are how we got him to appreciate reading more,” Sarah said.

With Sarah's efforts so far, Declan is currently holding fifth place in his group in the contest, which started off with tens of thousands of kids.

“I entered him just [thinking], ‘Oh, this will be fun.’ But the support from our local people has just been amazing and phenomenal,” Sarah said.

Declan is 11, and stands 5’7", earning the nickname “Baymax,” the character from the Disney movie "Big Hero 6" from friends and family.

“Declan has the biggest heart of most anybody I've ever met,” Sarah said. “I had asked a bunch of people to give me, like, two sentences about what they think of when they think of Declan, and everybody ultimately came down to the same thing: his heart and his kindness.”

The Stan Lee Super Kid will be chosen based on the number of votes children earn, but also on their acts of courage, kindness, and perseverance. Sarah asked several family members and friends to talk about her son for the contest, and their similar responses described him as kind, humble, determined, resilient, loyal, and someone who looks out for others.

“One [person] described him as a gentle giant with the biggest heart,” Sarah said. “Hearing how others see my boy has been one of the most meaningful parts of this experience.”

Sarah had trouble putting into words what winning this competition would mean to her and Declan.

“The idea that he could be in a comic book, I don't really have words to explain what it would mean to him,” Sarah said. “Declan would just be over the moon.”

This round of voting for the Colossal Super Kid competition ends at 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. Only the top five children will advance. Declan is currently in fifth place in his category, and community members can vote for him until the deadline.

To vote for Declan for free, visit thesuperkid.org/2026/declan-3eab.