The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 52, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 December 1986 — Page 10

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 24,1986

10

School news

Wawasee students write Christmas stories

(EDITOR’S NOTE: One of the assignments for the Junior General English Composition class at Wawasee High School was the writing of an original short story about Christmas. Lots of creativity was shown and most captured the spirit of the season with a lot of imagination at work. Mrs. Medich. who teaches the class, submitted several of the stories for the Mail-Journal readers to enjoy. They follow: > Christmas revenge By NEVADA SCHMUCKER I was walking home on Christmas Eve and it was getting dark. I was half way home when all of a sudden I saw two lights behind me. Well, they were just staying behind me. I was coming up on a curve and I saw that there were no cars coming so I waved him on. The roads had snow on them and bits of icy places. The guy pulled beside me and asked me for a ride. I was stunned! This guy was dressed in a Santa’s outfit and I stared at him for a minute or two and then I said yes. So I got in and we were coming up to a stop sign and didn’t slow down. We were going about 35 miles an hour and I said. ‘'There's a stop sign up here” and he said, “I know.” Then I asked him if he was going to stop and he said no. Then he pushed the button on the dash board and all of a sudden it turned into a sleigh and there was a big bag of toys in the back. He said, “If you help me deliver these presents. I'll make sure you get home on time and I’ll have a present tomorrow morning for ya.” “Ok.” I said, "Ok”. He said. "What is your name?” • I said. “Nevada Schmucker and I really don’t want a present. I just wish you could make me smarter, so I can finish school and get my diploma. ’ Well, when he picked me up, it was around 9:30 and I had to be home at 10 and it seemed like it was four hours. Well, we finally got done and I said, “Right up here's my house." So I said thanks and stepped out but I forgot I was still in the air! When I fell , through my chimney all the way to the bottom. I heard a guy yelling HO HO HO. Well I thought. I'll be waiting

I il v^^LfafcgFr^wf£’v-% t^* J > u'A. am^T **' j|g^'~ jp- ■ I —\~ / B lefnithW I To all our friends and patrons. We enjoyed B B serving you and look forward taseeing you B I again soon. ' B I ULjfc I T Open Friday 9:30 Td 8:30 ■| k Q I W DOWNTOWN WARSAW i— — ■■ ■ -

for you next Christmas, Santa. After I got out of the chimney, I looked like a black boy with a hole that was burned in my pants because the wood was till hot. Maybe I’ll set some mouse traps by the fireplace next year. After all, I do owe him one! Learning to believe By JIM CHARTERS As long as John could remember Christmas had been an unhappy occasion for his family. When John was a child his family had small Christmases with little or not gifts. John’s father was a truck driver and was away from home a lot. It was not uncommon for John’s dad during the holiday not to come home until Christmas Eve or even Christmas morning. When John was eight something happened that John would never forget. Coming home that Christmas Eve his father was killed in a trucking accident. John went on with his life. He was happy until Christmas came that year, but many Christmases had come and gone since his dad had died. John was now married and had two kids. John and his family had just moved to a small town in Ohio. They wanted to get settled in for Christmas. John never really believed in Santa. He had always left the presents under the Christmas tree for his kids. This year, like every other, John and his wife got up around midnight and went downstairs to the tree. After filling the stockings and putting the other presents under the tree, they went upstairs to go back to bed. The next morning when John, his wife, and the kids were all downstairs they opened the presents. The kids opened all i their gifts and found two others that John and his wife did not recognize, both said "from Santa”. John never told his wife that he didn’t buy them, but if he didn't buy them and his wife didn't, here did they come from*? John never found out. Ever since then, there has always been extra gifts under the tree and now John does believe in Santa.

A Christmas story By TINA DOSS The six-year-old boy ran briskly down the city streets to catch his ride home from school. As he was seated with a bunch of other noisy kids he felt sort of left out; he had no fine clothes, no great toys like the others. He had a worn T-shirt and a pair of rugged looking jeans. All the kids were singing and talking about what Santa was going to bring them. But he wasn’t, he knew he wasn’t going to get anything. He would be really happy if his Mom could be home with him. He often thought about his Dad and wondered if he would ever see him again. The bus came to a halt and let seven kids off at the corner. He leaped off and scampered into a huge musty building, up the stairs and to his home. As he opened the door it let off creaking noises. He went in, no one was at home. “She’s probably working late because of the holidays," he thought. He went into his bedroom and fell asleep. It was midnight and his Mom finally got home. He woke up and went to greet her with a hug and kiss. They were really happy to see each other. He saw how hard his Mom worked and how so many nights she’d come home tired. He wanted to do something special for her. He thought all night. There was only one day left until Christmas and he wanted to get her something but he had no money. He thought hard and began thinking on making something they could share and enjoy and he thought of a Christmas tree. The next day he ran down the streets looking for decorations. He found a handful of broken bulbs near the department sore, some pieces of left-over garland in the trash, a string of lights that half were gone out, and a couple of tiny bows. He gathered his things, put them in a cardboard box. and carried them home. He went back out and found a little pine tree half the size of him and pulled it over his shoulders and off he went. He sat it in the corner of the living room and decorated it and made a star and wrote Mom right in the center Eleven o'clock came around and she still wasn't there. He couldn't stay awake any longer so

he dozed off. But his Mother never came home. She had gotten killed on her way home that evening. He never had the chance to give the tree to his Mom. but one thing he did give was his love, and that she took with her, for now it wasn’t that day that mattered, it was all the other days that he had showed love and that’s what counted. Clearing house Christmas By BILL EDMUNDSON Once upon a time not too long ago there was a family that lived in the poor part of town all their life. In this family there was Dad. Mom, and five-year-old Ox. Being poor was very hard on the Dad because he wanted the best for his son. No matter how hard he tried, he could barely make ends meet. He had a good conscience because of moral values. His family figured if they lived that way, it would rub off on their son. This Christmas the decision to do right became very difficult. This very rich mn saw that the family was poor so he figured to take advantage of this. This one guy owed him some money and wasn't going to pay. So the rich guy offered the Dad SIOO,OOO to kill him off. He had already devised a plan to help kill him It was pretty risky so he wanted the Dad to do it. The Dad really wanted to buy Ox a set of golf clubs since his son could already hit a one iron 200 ft. Being only five this was quite an accomplishment. The Dad cquldn t sleep at night thinking about what to do. Kill him and get the money’’ Maybe go to prison for this’’ Or have a crummy Christmas. The idea of wrong doing bothered him but so did having a crummy Christmas. Finally God spoke to him tell ing the right thing to do. This was finally over so the family waited and waited but still there was not enough money for the golf clubs Then one day. a week and three days before Christmas something came in the mail. Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes They won for trillion and a condo in Florida. They were happy from themon and the rich gi/y got killed bv a drunk driver

One last wish By STACEY SCHIELER The icy wind outside only made the Bradley home a little cozier inside. The two young boys were playing a game in the living room and their mother was making Christmas preparations in the kitchen. Tomorrow would be Christmas day. Mrs. Bradley's family would be coming for dinner, but the Christmas spirit wasn’t quite there. Brian, the older of the two boys, had been aware of his illness for about a year. According to the doctor’s predictions, Brian was already living longer than what was expected. He had become used to this fact <4nd could accept it very well . . considering. There was one thing he wished for though, and that was to see his father again, before he died. Mr. Bradley had left when Brian was only four, which was five years ago. The family had heard that he received help for his mental problem and that he just might happen to return in the future. Brian hoped that he'd only come soon enough. Anyway, he had a little hope and that brightened up his Christmas Eve. Christmas Day dawned, and they hurried arounu for church. Sitting in one of the front pews they listened to the beautiful Christmas story. As Brian got up to leave after services, he got a glimpse of a familiar face He slowly and unsurely walked up to the man. and as he got closer, he knew his wish had come true. The whole family headed home to share a wonderful Christmas together, and to start a new life together again. Even though it might not bee too long for Brain, it was long enough! The miracle By DEBBIE DeROLF T-was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was heard not even a mouse “Mommy, said the little girl. “Is there such a thing as Santa Claus'.’'' “But of course there is. said the little girl’s Mommy, now get off to bed or Santa Claus won t come". The mother wasn't sure what to do. She couldn't disappoint her daughter who was only five years old. They had no money to spare and could hardly afford a Christmas diner. All her friends were going back to school in all their new clothes and playing with new toys on recess. "What am I going to do ? ' She began to cry and before her she say an angel. The angel spoke to her and said, “Don t cry! this is Christmas Eve and you are to be happy! “ The mother began to tell the angel all her worries and problems. The angel spoke a few words and a Christmas tree appeared. “It is the most beautiful Christmas tree I have ever

_-/t -."J i’tuluy out twin II cjiatsfaLlij to tboxs ucbo /u.ve /rziicZe uxzt continasd growth fxoixibLsbJt ii. in. tbix. xfxixit thankfalnsxx that UJS . 1 fltag, • /~d b(bdt37tbnax and all you-t tomoTzowx bs bright I with ths xh.in.ing rnixacbsx of hofxs and fxsacs and fog. Sdint dKa-tionod. dyanb of 'lda. t±a.uz Grow with th« First '

seen,” she exclaimed! Popcorn whirled around like soft clouds, bulbs as bright as the eye could see, and that lit up like a starry night. The star on top glistened like the North Star. Presents were stacked all the way up and up and up Wrapped in red. green, and other assorted colors. The mother was so happy she began to cry with happiness in thanking the angel. The angel replied, "You have worked plenty hard and have given up a lot in the past, now it s your turn to receive.” The next morning came and the little girl ran in to wake up Mommy. She was jumping up and down. "Santa Claus was here,”

HHU i A. M. ■ Or Wl ’W www 1

NORTH WEBSTER LEGION PARTY — Legionnaires from American Legion Post 253 in North Webster joined magician Jack Alexander. Warsaw, and Santa Claus at North Webster School on Thursday. Dec. IS. to entertain elementary students and give them each a Christmas treat. Students of Mrs. Cockburn s second grade class are shown ready to get candy and orange treats from Santa and his Legionaire helper. Legion members- who helpedzwith the annual treats were Larry Wozniak. Ed McCorkle. Jack Hensler, Dave Heath, Skip Lepopi, Ralph Massey and Randy Hodge. .

North Webster Legion, Santa visit school Legionnaires from American Legion Post 253 in North Webster joined magician Jack Alexander. Warsaw, and Santa Claus at North Webster School on Thursday . Dec 18. to entertain elementary studentsand give them each a Christmas treat Students oi Mrs. Cockburn's second grade class are -shown ready to get candy and orange treats from Santa and his Legionaire helper. Legion members who helped with the annual treats were Larry Wozniak, Ed McCorkle. Jack Hensler. Dave Heath. Skip Lepola. Ralph Massey and Randy Hodge.

she cried! Her Mommy picked her up and said. “Remember »w hat Christmas is. It isn't just receiving. It’s how baby Jesus came to us.” The little girl looked up at her with a great big smile and said, “I know.” She ran all the way downstairs and couldn’t believe her eyes. “Mommy! Look Santa Claus was here! ” The little girl dove into all her presents and tore them open one by one. Her mother just sat there smiling “Look Mommy, there's one here for you. ” She jumped up and said there couldn't be. “But look the tag savs: TO: MOMMY

WP T I \JB v * I X ’ 88l NH|Hb * . - t '• ‘ • ;w| B B , k f ' wtr I / --j F*.. fe ,> / y' - fl flr - ■* MAGICIAN WITH A MESSAtiE — Magician Jack Alexander. Warsaw, gave Daniel Womack a lesson in the finer points oi magic at the North Webster School Christmas program on Dec. 1H as fellow students and teachers looked on. Alexander told his young audience that when the American Hag goes by in a parade the audience should stand at attention. He also spoke of the true meaning of Christmas and said all should stop to count their blessings, including life, family, school and living tree.

4 / US FOR s < * <: W*Wtf MIW > ’ /1C x ™ R ' S ’ ► .<>y^rj^fX^ ctLlßßATloN <; • ENTERTAINMENT • PARTY FAVORS \ < RESIRVATKNB IF DESIRED > < NO COVER CHARGE > «6 95 ■'■'/vM < ► $7 95 : :: m> •» 5 6 50 ! • — s l2’ s ! All Qnmws Include Choice Qi Pototo A *O3/ j r Tossed Qi Caesoi Solod k

FROM: SANTA” She couldn't believe her eyes. “Mommy. Open it.” said the little gjrl. “Ok,” she said. It was a wool sweater which she's been wanting. She began to laughter and took her little girl and began to swing her around. “Merry Christmas. Susie." "Merry Christmas Mommy,” the little girl replied. "This is the best Christmas ever.” And they both looked up at the tree and stared into the star and sang a Christmas carol. When they stopped, they thought they heard a voice of an angel speak to them. Oh, it couldn t be Her late husband had joined them, but that's another storv