The Christmas tree
By Brandon Hozian
Kirtland, Ohio
Age 11
Winner
There once was an evergreen tree that got planted in a forest. It wanted to grow to be a...
The bootie
By Marie Walker
Leetonia, Ohio
Honorable mention
Tears flowed from my eyes while I hung the little red and white stuffed elf. It was Carol’s favorite Christmas...
There is joy: A true story
By Anna Perkins
Westfield Township, Ohio
Age 16
Winner
Family. A Christmas tree. Singing carols on a neighbor’s doorstep. Watching her children’s delight at receiving the...
Marie’s Christmas miracle
Eileen Gress, 16, of Shreve, Ohio
It was Christmas Eve, and Marie sat in her rocking chair. She was thinking about Christmas and how her...
Simon’s Christmas
By Tori Miller
Vickery, Ohio
Age 8
Honorable Mention
“Mom, I’m going to bed,” said Sierra, yawning.
But before she went to bed, she looked at her calendar....
The gift of remembrance
Winner: Alejandro Villalva, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army Reserve, 42, San Antonio, TX
Richard sat silently, transfixed, his entire attention riveted to the photo that...
The Stocking Surprise
Second place: Mark Llewellyn, of New Castle, Pa.
Doreen’s eyes, glassy in this state of reverie, wandered from one hand to the other. Arthritis found...
A Cat’s Christmas Dream
Athena Pantelides, 10 yrs.
Louisville, Ohio
Snowla the cat was watching the snow fall outside of her house. Snowla’s owner spoiled her. You see...
An unexpected gift
By Michelle Starkey
Mechanicsburg, Ohio
Second place
The weather had turned cold and dreary with rain clouds hovering over the small town of Mechanicsburg when Jim Samuels...
Santa’s wish
By Danielle Schumaker
Loudonville, Ohio
Age 9
Winner
The North Pole postman is as busy as can be as millions of children across the world send their...
