Jan 4, 2008 3 min read

Interested in becoming a member of the Herald-Standard’s Junior Reporter Club? It’s very easy to join. All you have to do is sit down, write a story and send it to the Herald-Standard.

It should be typed or printed very clearly. The stories can be sent to the Herald-Standard, c/o Junior Reporter Club, 8-18 E. Church St., Uniontown, Pa. 15401. They can also be e-mailed to mo’keefe@heraldstandard.com. Each story should contain fewer than 100 words.

Youths writing for the first time receive a letter of congratulations from Herald-Standard Executive Editor Mark O’Keefe, along with a card making them official members of the club.

Youths getting a second story printed receive another letter from O’Keefe and a coupon for a treat from a local business. Youths getting more than two stories published will receive a certificate of recognition.

All stories must be accompanied by a phone number for verification.

Return addresses should also be included with the stories. The age range for the columns is 7-12, but stories can be submitted by anyone under 18. For more information, call O’Keefe at 724-439-7569.

The topic for January is, “What’s your favorite winter sport?’ Youths can also write about other topics.

Here are this week’s stories:

The Best Part of Christmas

Becca David

Uniontown

My favorite part of Christmas is opening presents. Last year I got a lot of presents. I got a camera, MP3 player and some clothes. I got a lot more things. That is my favorite part of Christmas.

Loves snow

Misty Taylor

McClellandtown

My favorite part of Christmas is playing outside all day. We sled ride, throw snow balls, make snow angels. Then we go inside and drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas stories. Then we go to sleep and wait for Santa Claus to drop off our presents.

I love Christmas

Kristin Sroka

Fairchance

I love Christmas. It’s one of my favorite holidays. You get to open presents, spend time with your family, play in the snow, or even go Christmas caroling. On Christmas Eve at night I get really excited. I wake up the next morning very early, too. I wake up my parents, too. I usually spend the whole morning opening presents. You should believe in Santa because you can’t prove if he’s real or not. If you stop believing you stop receiving. Well basically Christmas is extremely fun.

Christmas traditions

Emily Dillon

Uniontown

My favorite part of Christmas is all of the traditions we have. On Christmas eve my family goes to my one grandparents’ house to have dinner, open presents and watch “A Christmas Story.” On Christmas Day, we open presents and then go to my other grandparents’ house, eat dinner and visit with the family. That is my favorite part of Christmas.

Loves family

Jeremy Matthews

McClellandtown

My favorite part of Christmas is all my family coming over for dinner and getting the surprise of opening all my gifts. Christmas is my favorite holiday.

I like getting up and opening the door and giving them a nice warm welcome.