TODAY'S TOPIC: What do you collect and why?

I have a collection of snow globes. My snow globes are very special to me because they come from places that I have been. I have been to Mexico, San Diego and Guatemala. My grandparents always bring snow globes from places they have been, for my snow globes collection.
Ashley Pacias, 9
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

My collection of key chains is the best collection I ever had. I have key chains of Mexico, theme parks, characters and a lot of other stuff. The best key chain I have is the one I got in Disneyland. It is Jack the Punkin King from the movie, "The Nightmare Before Christmas." The reasons why I like it are because it's big and round and funny and fat. The reason why my key chains are special is because they remind me of the place where I got them.
Christian Espino, 11
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

If you go into my room, you'll see a lot of school awards. I started collecting school awards since I got my first award. I have 10 awards now. I've been adding onto my collection. I collect these because it makes me feel proud.
Chris Martinez, 9
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

I collect Hello Kitty things. I collect them because it makes me happy a lot. I have a Hello Kitty backpack, bed, poster, radio, pillow, blanket, pencils and hair pins. That is my cool collection.
Melisa Maya, 8
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

Something that I collect are rocks. That is why I love to go to the beach. Whenever the waves go back into the ocean, I see some very unusual rocks. Some that I have in my collection are very shiny. One of them is a volcanic rock that I found on the beach on Catalina Island. Most of the rocks that I have, I think, are pretty cool. All of my friends think the same thing. My parents are very supportive of my collection. When they go somewhere, they keep a lookout for rocks that I don't have and that I might love to add to my collection.
Krystal Alvarado, 10
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

If you come in my room you can see Lego toys. I like Indiana Jones, Pirates, Star Wars, Spiderman and cars. I collect them because I like to build stuff.
Anthony Ibarra, 9
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

I have a collection of fairies. I love fairies, especially Tinkerbelle. I have a whole collection of fairies and I know their talents and their names. There's one that is my second favorite. Her name is Beck and her talent is talking to animals. People sometimes tell me that my collection is unusual because people or kids don't really collect fairies. But no one knows how cool fairies are. I have the fairies on a shelf and my whole room is covered with fairies.
Chelsea Velado, 10
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

I collect different kinds of rocks. For example, some are small, some are big. Most of my rocks are smooth. The rocks I collect all have a different color. They're not so easy to find. I like the green rocks because they sparkle when you look at them. I find a new rock every day. I like collecting rocks because I discover something every day.
Bradley Marsh, 8
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

My collection is having to do with rocks because I wonder what's inside the rocks that I collect. I have lots of rocks and I'm trying to study them.
Mercedes Tamayo, 9
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

I love to collect bracelets. I started to collect bracelets when I was 8 years old. I love to collect bracelets because I love to wear them. I used to have a lot of bracelets but one day, when my brother and my little cousin were throwing them in the air, somehow many got lost. I got mad at them but I still have some. I love my bracelets because some have sparkles, some are different colors and some of them have my name printed on them. Sometimes I make my own bracelets. I love bracelets.
Xochitl Carranco, 12
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

I have a collection of teddy bears. I collect them because when I come home sad, the teddy bears smile and that makes me feel much better. I have lots of teddy bears in my room and some are in a basket. I will never throw my collection away.
Brianna Murillo, 8
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

COMING UP: July is National Ice Cream Month. What is your favorite flavor and why? Do you like your ice cream in a cone or a dish? Draw a picture of yourself eating your favorite ice cream.

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 July 1 and letters will be posted July 8. Letters received after the deadline cannot be considered.