Junior Reporter Club
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 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.
For more information, call O’Keefe at 724-439-7569.
The topic for April is “What do you like most about spring?’ Youths can also write about other topics.
My Pappy
Micah High
Smithfield
I am going to tell you about a happy memory I had with my Pappy, Earl Hines. When I was about three or four years old, I remember that my Pappy planted a garden in my yard. It was a huge garden with many vegetables such as white corn, (my favorite), tomatoes, green beans, cabbage, cucumbers, squash and onions.
He drove his red, 6-foot Farmall tractor down to our house to plow the ground to get ready for planting. The best part was that he would always let me sit on his lap while he operated the tractor. I even got to sit on his lap while he drove it up the road to his house.
This was very exciting for me. I felt like I was the coolest kid in Smithfield. Now, I am 11-years old and reach the pedals and shift gears by myself while my Pap stands on a bar near the seat. Even though, we do not plant a garden anymore. I still get to drive the tractor now and then, but I always will remember spending that time with my Pappy Hines.
My 10th birthday party
Whitney McCourt
Lake Lynn
You will never guess what happened to me at my 10th birthday part. I had my 10th birthday party at home with all of my family and friends. My friends and I played games in my room. It was a blast.
In the middle of my party, we all ate. There were pizza burgers, chips and pop. After everyone sang, “Happy Birthday” (very embarrassing), we enjoyed an ice cream cake from DQ. It was made from chocolate and vanilla ice cream and was delicious. Next, I opened all of my gifts. I got a lot of exciting and cool things from everyone. My favorite gift was a Bratz doll from my mom.
At the end of my party, we all played with my new toys. Then, I had to say goodbye to everyone. I thanked them for coming and for bringing me such great gifts. My 10th birthday party was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me (so far).
The person I admire most
Kelsey Jarrett
Lake Lynn
The person I admire most is my dad, Scott Jarrett. My dad is the best. I can ask him any type of questions and he always has good answers. I feel like he’s one person that I can open up to. He’s my fest friend. If I’m going through a tough time, he’s always right there to pull me through. If someone is bullying me, he’ll get up and defend me.
Now, I’m not perfect because I do get in trouble a lot, like when I hit my little sister. So like I said, my dad has to stand up for me a lot. If I am in trouble and he yells at me, he just says what he has to say and that’s the end of it. He’s not the type of parent that hurts his kids and then sends them to their room. My dad is my hero.
My dad also takes me places that I really want to go. One time, he took my mom, sister and I to Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. We had a blast. Dad and I joke around all the time. Sometimes we wrestle and we definitely laugh a lot.
My dad is the person I can look up to. He is the person that I admire most.
I love ya, dad!
If I could go back in time
Chaz Phillips
Smithfield
If I could go back in time and do one thing differently, I would not have broken my mom’s $1,000 vase. It all started when I was running in the house playing tag with my brother and sister. I was running after both of them. I was too busy having fun and I completely forgot that my mom told me not to run in the house because I might break something. So, I tripped over the carpet in the hallway and landed on the ground with a thud. I saw the vase tip a little, but it didn’t fall. Boy, was I lucky.
The next time I was running after my brother and sister, I tripped again in the same place, but this time, I hit the ground harder. Guess what? The vase still didn’t tip over. I thought I was safe and that nothing could go wrong. The third time I fell, I smacked the floor so hard that finally, the vase crashed to the floor. I was in shock.
My Mom was so furious that she grounded me for one whole month. I could not play video games, eat my favorite treats or have any friends over to play. It was the most miserable time of my life.
That’s why if I could go back in time and do one thing differently, I would have listened to my mom and the vase would still be on the kitchen counter.