ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 12, 1996 TAG: 9602150006
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER STAFF WRITER
Valentines: They come in all shapes, sizes and ages. Wednesday, Valentine's Day, is a time to honor those people whom we care about.
We asked you to write in and tell us about someone who is special to you and why, someone whom you'd like to be your Valentine. You sent in letters about parents, teachers, best friends and the cute boy or girl you sneak looks at in school. We're printing them just as you wrote them. Some may not be ``A'' papers for grammar or spelling, but they're all perfect in the subject of caring.
"My mom is a very special person to me. She cares for me. My mom yells at me when I need to be yelled at. She taught me what's right from wrong. My mom takes care of me when I get hurt, like when I crashed my bike into the mailbox. But most of all she loves me.''
- Morgan Rohrhofer, fourth grade, Effinger Elementary, Lexington
"There is someone special in my life. He plays with me and does things for me. He takes me fishing. He plays basketball with me. He is a nice man. He is my dad.''
- Kellan Clark, second grade, Kling School, Buena Vista
"My mom is special to me. She loves me a lot. That's why I want her to be my valentine. She cares about me even when I get hurt. She makes me feel better when she gives me a great big happy hug.''
- Mollie Woodyard, Dublin
``I would like to thank Mrs. Neat, my English teacher. She helped me learn to speak and read English. In October 1994, I came here from Poland without knowing any English. She made me feel welcome and she also helped me when I needed help. On this Valentine's Day I would like to thank Mrs. Neat and I would like to tell her that I care about her.''
- Karolina Roszak, Green Valley Elementary, Roanoke County
``My grandma, which I call Nanny, is the best. She even plays with you. She'll get up and dance when you want her to. My Nanny is a hard hard worker. But all that hard work doesn't make her look old. In fact she looks young for her age. I love her and I think she's cool.
- Stephanie Hall, fourth grade, Effinger Elementary, Lexington
``If I had to pick someone I like a bunch I would pick my basketball coach. He has coached me for four years. I like his son too. His son is my best friend. His name is John.
- J.R. Montgomery, Dublin
``My mom is my Valentine. She's there when I need her and she's always there when I need to talk. I think she's kind and loving. She does and is a lot of other things that can't fit on this page.''
- Tony McClure, Green Valley Elementary, Roanoke County
``I love my 4-month-old brother because he is funny. He's got a lot of my features. I am very proud of him.''
- Amanda Rhyne, fifth grade, Draper
``Mrs. Thomas, my fourth-grade teacher was a real inspiration in my life. Before fourth grade, I really disliked to read. And my English grades were low. Mrs. Thomas helped the class and I by trying different types of books to help us decide which type of book we like.
I now love to read. Any time I have spare time you can find me with my nose in a book. My English grades have gone up too. Mrs. Thomas will always hold a special place in my heart.''
- Jessie Ham, age 11, Mount Pleasant School, Roanoke
My grandpa is special to me. He taught college at V.W.C.C. I used to visit him there. His name is Tom Shirley. I go to the beach with him. We do lots of fun things together. I can not wait to go this summer,
- Jack Graham, second grade, Troutville Elementary
``My mom and dad are special to me. I don't know what I'd do without them! But I know they love me!
- Amber Branscome, Dublin
``My teacher is very creative. She is exciting and full of surprises. She knows some of the greatest arts and stories. She is a lot of fun. She is very smart. She knows long long and division and long long multipling.''
- Amanda Welling, fourth grade, Effinger Elementary, Lexington
``My dad is very special because he buys me toys. Sometimes he helps me with my homework. Dad plays with me sometimes. I know my dad loves me.
- James Anderson, second grade, Fallon Park Elementary, Roanoke
"My Valentine is my grandmother. She lives in Wytheville so I can't tell her I love you everyday. She keeps in touch and then I tell her I love you.''
- Whitney Lanter, Green Valley Elementary, Roanoke County
``My Nanny is special to me. She takes me to the lake. Nanny gives me a snack when I come home. I love her very, very much.''
- Brandi Janney, second grade, Fallon Park Elementary, Roanoke
LENGTH: Long : 108 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS/Staff. 1. Jessie Ham, a pupil atby CNBMount Pleasant Elementary in Roanoke County, and the person who
taught her to love reading, Julie Thomas, a fourth-grade teacher at
the school. 2. Stephanie Hall, a fourth-grader at Effinger
Elementary School in Lexington, 3. says of her grandmother, whom she
calls "Nanny, "She'll get up and dance when you want her to." color.
4. (headshot) Karolina.