Past Winners
Marissa Seib, Portville Central School, 6th Grade
If I had one wish it would be that everyone in the United States would have enough money. No one would have to count the days to the next paycheck. No one would have to worry about not having enough food to eat, warm and clean clothes or shelter. If everyone had enough money kids would not be on the streets or doing drugs because their parents would not have to work almost 24/7 just to get by. So they would have more time to spend with their kids and teach them right from wrong. This could also stop people from being workaholics. As you can see if everyone had enough money to get by we could be a much better nation. This is why this would be my Christmas wish.
Brooke Bushnell, Boardmanville Elementary, 4th Grade
If you had one wish what would it be? If I had one wish it would be to be at Peace not war. The wish would not only change my life but everyone else’s life. One way the wish would change people’s lives is less people would die. If we had Peace people would be able to see their family a lot more often. This world would be a better place if we were at peace. There would be no more fighting against other people. This world will start to be a very happy place. Clearly, you can see how my wish would change many people’s lives and mine.
Victoria Gardner, Gardner Home School, 9th Grade
December days are a time when family and friends get together to celebrate and that is why if I had one wish it would be that our soldiers could come home. They are the reason why we can celebrate the holidays in our own way. Whether it be lighting candles, reading the Christmas story, or opening gifts, they have sacrificed so we could have freedom. For me, I share with my family the joy of Jesus’ birth, opening gifts, and a big family dinner. Sometimes we forget there is a war going on an that some of our soldiers might not get to come home for the holidays. They could be hanging ornaments, opening gifts, singing Christmas carols, hugging their loved ones, but they are probably fighting in a foreign country or having a conversation by phone. That is why if I had one wish, it would be that all soldiers would come home and be with family and friends on these special days that matter most! Now, as we gather around the holiday meals, or as we sit by the tree, let us say a prayer that every solider will come back safely to their loved ones arms! Remember the sacrifices they make for us and let us give THANKS TO GOD for our freedom!
Alyssa Ramarge, EastView Elementary, 3rd Grade
The best reason the holidays are special in Cattaraugus County to me is seeing Santa at different places. I’ve seen him at the Gallets House in Allegany. I got to eat cookies shaped like reindeer and elves! I saw him at my grandparent’s house in Olean with my cousins. He visited the Hampton Inn in Olean. I sat on his lap for the first time!
I live in Olean and get to spend time doing things like ice skating with friends and seeing the Santa Claus Lane Parade with my family. I really enjoyed the times my mom was in the parade. This year’s parade should be more special because it’s the County’s Bicentennial Celebration. My last reason is Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean . I love to go to the front of the church and hear Father Greg tell us a story.
Kaylee Eaton, Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central, 7th Grade
To me the holidays are a time to spend with my family. The holidays are the sled rides down the hill into the ditch. Building that snowman that is so big I cannot reach the top. It’s picking out that Christmas tree that can hold the ornaments that I have collected since I was a baby. Christmas sleigh rides through town with popcorn balls and hot chocolate that warms your fingers and toes. Waking up and finding out about three feet of snow fell last night. It’s the first snowmobile ride of the season. It’s waking up at five am to be the first to see the presents and the stockings that my grandma made for my sister and me when we were little. And lastly, it’s taking that last breath on Christmas Day to take it all in.
Shane Hollamby, Portville Central, 9th Grade
During the holidays, Cattaraugus County is a special place to live. There are many things you can do. To me, the holiday’s start with those famous Nightmare Hayrides in Ellicottville and visits to Cummins Cider Mill in Portville serving their great cider and donuts. Let’s not forget the traditional Santa Claus Lane Parade in Olean , Santa on the Rooftop, and lighting of the Alcas Christmas tree to visit.
The winter is a great time for family outings. There is sledding at St. Bonaventure, skiing and tubing at Holiday Valley , or riding the Polar Express in Gowanda. Weekends are spent at the recreation center ice skating or snowmobiling throughout the county trails. These are fun but the best thing to do is donate to the Salvation Army bell-ringers and feel good that you are helping others.
1st Place - Sarah Lang, Boardmanville Elementary
For Christmas I use all of my senses, smell, feel, seeing, hear, and taste. This is how I use smell. I can smell the cookies and the pine of the tree. I think they are a good mix. Next I’ll talk about what I feel. I feel warmth from the fire in the fireplace. Third I’ll talk about the sights you would see at my house. They are colorful light, a Christmas tree with and angel on top, bulbs and tinsel. Fourth the taste of the cookies. My mom makes sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies, haystacks, peanut butter cup, and pretzels that are dipped in chocolates. Lots of others cookies too. Last but not least I hear music like Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, Silent Night and The bells of Santa’s reindeer. Even though those are the senses I use, I love to be around family members.
2nd Place - Maddy Terhaar, Boardmanville Elementary
There are many things that make the holiday mean something to me, but my favorite things are traditions. One tradition that makes the holidays special is the hiding of the pickle on the Christmas tree when my mother’s family visits. One of the adults hides the pickle and all the kids search for it. Whoever finds the pickle gets an extra present. Another special tradition is the making of peanut brittle when my mother’s family visits. It’s a hard candy that we make and give to family and friends. It is a fun holiday activity. I like helping my mom decorate. I like to put up our Nutcrackers. I also like to put up all of our Christmas trees. We have a white tree, a regular green tree, and little fake trees that we put in our rooms. The last tradition we have on Christmas takes place on Christmas Eve. We go to Buffalo to visit my grandparents. They have a party every year. I love the smell of the food roasting in the fire. These are just some of the traditions that we do on Christmas that makes the Holiday mean a lot to me.
3rd Place - Courtney Martin, EastView Elementary
The holidays mean a lot to me. One holiday coming up soon is Christmas. Christmas means a lot to my family and I. Every Christmas Eve my family and I go to church. It is awesome to look at all of the decorations that are put up. There are Christmas trees and many other decorations. Every Christmas my family and I have ham for dinner. None of my brothers and sisters can sleep because they are so excited. On Christmas morning we wake up around 7:00 AM to open our presents. Christmas is one holiday that would mean nothing to me if I didn’t celebrate it with my family. Another holiday is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a good time of the year to give thanks for everything you own. My family and I barely eat anything all day so we can leave room in our stomach for a Thanksgiving feast. We sit there for a while and talk to each other. As you can see the holidays mean everything to me and I couldn’t celebrate them without my family.
Honorable Mention - Richard Heap
What the holidays mean to me... I enjoy preparing special foods to share with my family and friends. The holidays mean singing and sharing good times with all the special people in my life. I enjoy going to church. I really like cutting down and decorating the Christmas tree with my family. I like baking cookies, pies, turkey, and mashed potatoes. These times are what makes the holidays special to me.
Honorable Mention - Brianna Curtin, Boardmanville Elementary
Christmas means the most to me, because it is time for my family to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time to spend with my family. Kids love Christmas because the get a lot of presents. We also eat a lot more than ever before. We always decorate listening to Christmas music. On Christmas Eve we go to church and sing Christmas songs and songs about Jesus. I write a list of what I want for Christmas. Then we go to the mall to see Santa’s lap and show him my Christmas list. I don’t always get everything on my list, but I do get some of the stuff. At church we bring shoe boxes full of toys that we give to a boy or a girl in other countries that are less fortunate than us. And that is what the holidays mean to me.
1st Place - Taylor Bright, East View Elementary, Grade 5
The holidays mean a lot to me. I love being with my parents on the holidays. I love the smell of chestnuts roasting in the oven. My mom and I get all the baking goodies out and we make a lot of cookies; then we go deliver the cookies to family and friends. This is a special time for my Mom, my Auntie, and myself because we are just spending time together enjoying each other's company. I try to do these special things with my Mom and Auntie because they no longer have a mom to share these things with because my Nana and Grandma Rosie have passed away.
The Holidays are also nice because relatives come over for the holidays. I like when my grandparents come over my insides feel warm and fuzzy; especially when they walk in the door and give me hugs and kisses. During the holidays, my parents and I always watch movies together, we sing carols of joy. When I see my Christmas tree light up it brings a glitter of hope inside me because the lights shine like the stars above and I know my Nana and Grandma Rosie are home with us for the holidays watching over all of us. My cousin always races up to my house just to see the tree and he says Hi Nana and Grandma Rosie. Mind you, my cousin Peyton is only 7 years old. I love putting Christmas decorations up seeing all the beautiful lights light up right in front of me. We all have a lot of fun together. To me, the Holidays aren't about the presents, it's about spending time with my family and friends and making more memories that I can share in stories like this. This is what I like about the holidays and why!
2nd Place - Lindsey Bushnell, Boardmanville Elementary, Grade 5
My family and I do many things over the holidays. I think that when I'm with my family that it is the best Christmas gift of all. Now I'll tell you what I do with my family on Christmas.
Over the holidays, my house looks very nice. We put up our Christmas tree and decorate it with lights, ornaments, and tinsel. We also hang mistletoe in our doorway. In our front yard, we make five snowmen - one for dad, one for mom, one for my sister, Brooke, one for sister Alyssa, and one for me.
My family and I have many Christmas traditions. As week or so before Christmas, we have a Christmas party. We listen to music, play games, and eat munchies. On Christmas Eve, we put out cookies and milk for Santa. We put them on a special plate. We also put out carrots for the reindeer, and sprinkle glitter on the front yard, so the reindeer can find our house.
We do a lot of fun things for Christmas. First, we go to my Grandma's house for a Christmas party. We open gifts and eat a special Christmas lunch. After that we go to my Grammmies for Christmas dinner and dessert. The best thing of all is goind sledding with my family. We have a really big hill at my house, we go sledding down. Even though I have a lot of fun opening presents, I'd rather be having fun with my family!
3rd Place - Zachary Spears, Boardmanville Elementary, Grade 3
Not being home for the holidays is hard for me to understand because I am lucky enough to always be home with my family for the holidays. It is just fun spending time together.
First, I like being with my mom, dad, and my sister. My mom and I make Christmas cookies, fill jars with cookie mix to give to my teachers, buy presents for our family and cuddle on the couch next to a warm fire. My dad and I put up decoration, shovel the driveway and talk about all the things we like to do. My sister and I decorate the tree with our parents, wrap presents and have lots of fun.
Next, it is fun spending time with my uncles, aunts, and cousins. We all love to joke around and laugh together. One of my uncles and his family always travel to Olean from Ohio. They bring their crazy dog who drives us all nuts! After we have dinner and all of our bellies are full, we always play games except for my Uncle Ronni who falls asleep in my grandpa's chair.
Finally, I get to spend a lot of time with my Nonnie, Grandpa Jess, and Grandma. My Grandpa Jess and I make things out of wood for my family. My Nonnie makes us laugh to give us energy to play our board games when we are done. Some of the games we play are Yahtzee, Parchezee, and Scrabble. My grandma and I play games like Uno, Slap Jack, and Go Fish.
These are just some of the reasons why I like to be home for the holidays!
Honorable Mention, Mackenzie Rose Both, East View Elementary, Grade 5
"Home for the holidays" makes me think of a warm kitchen filled with wonderful smells of chocolate fudge, almond cookies, mushroom stuffing, and sugar glazed potatoes with ham. While I think of my home for Christmas, I am also reminded of how much I am loved.
Some may think Christmas is all about nicely wrapped presents under the tree, but home for the holidays tells how much love is shared in my family. We gather together and share love, laughing, tears, and memories of Christmas' past and the anticipation and excitement of Christmas' to come. We also take a quiet moment to remember those family members who are no longer with us and enjoy the holiday traditions they have given to us...pierogi, chrusciki, springerle cookies, and so many more
Family is what home for the holidays mean to me!
Honorable Mention, Jenna Wright, Grade 5
If you think being home for the holidays is about the presents, then maybe you should read this essay.
Being home for the holidays is a very special moment for me. Even though getting presents is fun, that's not what being home for the holidays is all about. It means being able to see my family together and cheerful. Also, I get to see them open presents from me. Another reason I can think of is I get to celebrate the birth of Christ. One of the best reasons for being home is the yummy food like ham, peas, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and good homemade pies.
Being home is not just for my happiness, but for all those who are not so lucky. We sometimes forget those who are in need. So being home makes me feel lucky. So now you know what being home for the holiday's means to me.
Honorable Mention, Lexi Everetts, Washington West Elementary, Grade 4
The holidays are special to me because they are something to look forward to and they are always fun. First, holidays are about spending time with family. Spending time with family is priceless. Family memories are special.
Second, holidays are fun when you have traditions. Frosting cookies together is a tradition in my family. Decorating our Christmas tree before we go to the Santa Claus Lane Parade is another tradition of ours. Third, we adopt a needy family. I love to help my mom shop for those who are less fortunate then me. It makes me feel good to help others. Christmas time is my favorite time of year and I am thankful to be able to celebrate it with my family.
Honorable Mention, Zoe Mahler, Boardmanville Elementary, Grade 5
There are so many things that the holidays mean to me. One of my favorite things about Christmas at my house is that it's so cozy. It's also beautiful. Being with my family is great, it feels so nice in my pajamas with a warm sweater on. Then in the great room, we have a nice tall pine tree. You can smell the pine and the home-made gingerbread ornaments. You feel like you're in the forest with nice cool pine trees all around you. We all sit together on the sofa and drink hot chocolate and laugh at each others' jokes and funny Christmas stores. Then we turn on the fireplace. There is so much love in the room.
Another great thing about Christmas is being with my family. Sometimes we go to their house and sometimes they come to our house. We have so much fun together. When you're laughing with one cousin in one part of the room you hear another cousin talking about a present you got for them. It makes you feel good and warm inside because you know you got the right thing and the love inside is growing more and more.
My family has many fun traditions! We always put out cookies for Santa. So all night you smell chocolate. Then we hang up our stockings. Mine smells like peppermint and chocolate. We also get to guess what the presents are. It's so much fun. For a special treat all the kids get to sleep together and try to keep each other awake, we never do. We write a note to Santa, too. Right before we go to bed we are allowed to open one present, but it has to be small.
Christmas meals are the best! The kitchen smells of spices and meats. The aromas make your mouth water. So much steak, vegetables, and other great things. That is what home for the holidays mean to me!
Honorable Mention, Karissa Gilbert, Boardmanville Elementary, Grade 3
Holidays to me are a time for giving and sharing with others to bring smiles to their faces. These are times for cheer, bright colored lights, and the smell of fresh baked goods. Holidays are a time when my friends and family get together to catch up with each other. These are the times when everyone gets together to help the poor people by collecting toys for children to give to the Toys for Tots, and clothing to needy families that just can't afford a Christmas for their family. Being able to help with these fundraisers make me feel like a better person because I have helped someone worse off than me
This is the time of year when I like to go sled riding and ice skating with my sister and my Bona buddy. When I go to my grandma's house we help her decorate her Christmas tree and make popcorn balls and fudge. To me this is just a great time of year.
