Kids' Holiday Memories Essay Contest 11-23-09

We are proud to bring you the winners of our Kids' Holiday Memories Essay Contest.

First place and $25 — Kristen Stamm, Age 11, Wheat Ridge, Colo.

Second place and $15 — Emily Weldon, Age 11, Peyton, Colo.

Third place and $10 — Elizabeth Schieffer, Age 8, Berthoud, Colo.

Thank you to every one of you who entered.

Colorado Equipment also sponsored this contest and provided gift certificates to each of the winners.

First Place

The most precious gift

Kristen Stamm
Wheat Ridge, Colo.
Age 11

I have many favorite holiday memories but my most precious one happened last year. In about October, I had decided that I wanted a dog. I had been asking my daddy a lot but he didn't want to get one. I'm an ice skater and had a very nice coach that moved away to Laredo, Texas. There she found the cutest, abandoned little dog eating out of a trash can on the streets by her apartment. My coach sent us pictures of the dog. She was the scrawniest little thing with eyes the color of honey. Her eyes made my mom think of the name “Winnie” like “Winnie the Pooh,” and I loved that name. Since she knew that I wanted a dog she asked me if I wanted to adopt her. It was a big decision because I had my heart set on a West Highland Terrier from a breeder, but I thought it would be better to adopt a homeless dog that would have to go to the shelter. I asked my daddy if it would be okay and he said we could try it, which meant “yes!” When my coach visited her family and students for Christmas she brought my future doggie on December 2, at exactly 6:47 p.m. When I went outside to walk her for the first time she responded to her new name right away. That day was really my favorite holiday memory that I will treasure in my heart forever.

Second Place

My favorite holiday

Emily Weldon
Peyton, Colo.
Age 11

My favorite holiday is in the fall! I love the rustling leaves beneath my feet. There is always a beautiful smell of turkey in the morning. What I love most of all is the breeze of the wind that echoes in my ear. How I love the company that sits in my house for they are the best part of this holiday. We celebrate Thanksgiving because it is the birth of our country. It is when the Pilgrims came and made peace with the Indians and they had a feast as we do today with corn, rolls, turkey, beans and much more. I also like Thanksgiving because I like to give thanks to my loved ones. Some of the prayers I give each year are that my family and friends are healthy and well. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Thanksgiving is my favorite because I love the love and giving in the air. I love the history behind the day it began. Altogether the holiday itself is all I need. I love the food and the joy around the world. The only thing I don't like about Thanksgiving is when we have to ruin a turkey's life to make ours enjoyable. I love Thanksgiving!

Third Place

My favorite holiday memory

Elizabeth Schieffer
Berthoud, Colo.
Age 8

My favorite holiday memory is Three Kings Day two years ago. Papa gave us boxes to make sleds to celebrate the Winter Olympics. We put our small stuffed animals in our sled that was decorated and we made ribbons for the winners. The stuffed animals were a polar bear, a black bear, a cat and a raccoon.