TODAY'S TOPIC: We observe the birthdays of two American presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, in February. Tell us what qualities and traits you think are important for a United States president to possess. Choose a U.S. president and tell us a bit about him.

I think a good president should be responsible for what they do and they should be honest because in order to get picked as president you can't lie. Every president has to tell the truth, be respectful, trustworthy, intelligent and they can't be racist. The person I think is just perfect is George Washington. He was just perfect because he never broke those rules. George Washington's face is on a one dollar bill and on a quarter.
Jasmin Bedoya, 10
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

My favorite president is George Washington. He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on February 22, 1732. He died at his home in Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. I would like a president who would be a good leader and be nice to children and have fun and have a good sense of humor and not waste the country's money.
Jillian Poonoosamy, 9
Sacred Heart School
Lancaster

The qualities a president would need to have are to be helpful, honest, smart and be nice to do something nice for the United States. Honest Abe, aka Abraham Lincoln, freed the slaves; what a nice person. Abraham led us through the Civil War and kept our country strong. What Abe wore was a stovepipe hat and a wrinkled coat. Abe lived from Feb. 22, 1809, to April 15, 1865.
Elijah Holts, 10
Township Elementary
Simi Valley

I read a book called "Who Was Thomas Jefferson?" Thomas Jefferson was our third president and one of our greatest. He was great because he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Also, he did not dress in fancy clothes. He dressed in everyday clothes. The last reason he's great is because he was friends with John Adams, our second president. I loved reading about Thomas Jefferson.
Ava Heller, 8
Verdugo Woodlands Elementary
Glendale

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the U.S.A. He was president in the Civil War. He is my favorite president because he was strong, tall, friendly, nice to children, he did not like slavery, he was a good leader and he was honest.
Mason Kanga, 9
Sacred Heart School
Lancaster

This president is smart, responsible, independent and I could write for hours telling you how good he is. Well, this man is John Kennedy. He was president from 1961-1963. He was amazing. He did great things. The way he said speeches was magic. He had a great family and great friends. He was responsible, nice, giving, forgiving, joyful and independent. He was a great president.
Thomas Veronese, 9
Township Elementary
Simi Valley

I think a president should have good strong leadership, honesty, intelligence, not racist, fairness, promotes peace, goes to foreign nations and talks to common people. A president that I think was a wonderful president was Honest Abe. Abraham Lincoln won the Civil War and stopped slavery. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation that declared no more slavery forever. He got assassinated while watching a play. He is on the penny and a five dollar bill.
Itzel Cabral, 11
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

If I were to choose a president, I would choose Theodore Roosevelt because he was caring, fair, honest, responsible, nice, had creative ideas and helped to make this land beautiful.
Charlotte Romero, 10
Live Oak Elementary
Castaic

What I would like to see in a president is caring, respect, fairness and understanding. I think that Ronald Reagan had that. He was a very nice president. At least that's what I think! I did a report on him in fourth grade. I enjoyed doing a report on him. It wasn't boring either! He did many things like being a lifeguard and a sports talker! That's why I like him so much because he has a lot of experience with jobs!
Alyssa Mixon, 10
Live Oak Elementary
Castaic

The number one trait for a new president for me would be experience. Experience is reassuring for me because, in a delicate situation, they will be able to rely on their resources for help. Experience is a great thing to have in office and I hope that we will have that in 2008.
Gabe L. Rudolph, 12
Oakwood School
North Hollywood

COMING UP: The month of March is just around the corner. What do you think this saying means: "If March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb." Tell us what you think that means and draw a picture illustrating the saying.

Parents and teachers should make sure that the student's name, address, age and school are CLEARLY PRINTED on the letters and the backs of drawings.

Pictures should be drawn using black or dark blue ink on white, unlined paper. Drawings must be no larger than a standard, 8 1/2-by-11 inch sheet of paper.

The deadline is Feb. 26 and letters will be posted March 4. Letters received after the deadline cannot be considered.

Send entries to Kids' Daily News, P.O. Box 4200, Woodland Hills, CA 91365-4200.