Essay Topic: "What is your best memory about living in Gibbsboro"

Winning Essay written by Derek Metallo

Memories

Gibbsboro, a tiny town with over a million memories. Like the license plate cover states, Gibbsboro is my hometown, and there are so many memories that rush to mind when I think about the past sixteen years of my life, and how Gibbsboro has made these life long memories possible. For instance, the Fourth of July Festivities.

Ever since I could, I have been participating in and attending all Fourth of July celebrations. When I was little I would decorate my bike, and wait anxiously at the end of Ridgewood for the fire trucks, funny floats, and candy. As I grew, my family and I designed floats to drive in the parade, and this was an even greater thrill. Then when arriving at the field we had hot dogs, drinks, and games. Every year, the week leading up to the events, I would practice. I can still remember my mom making me run sprints so I would be ready for the shoe scramble. Thanks to that, I won when I was five. Then came nightfall, when all of my grandmother's grandchildren would pile into my uncle's pool. We were ready, ready for the most exciting time of the day, the fireworks. This night was the symbol of a great year gone by.

Another favorite time of mine was wintertime. I am sixteen now and for sixteen years I have gone to the fire house the week before Christmas to sit on Santa's lap and get that free present. The days leading up to Christmas the whole town would be covered in lights, my family and I would always walk around to cherish the lights and decorations of our neighbors. Then Santa came, the Sunday before Christmas every year Santa would ride around waving to children as his elves, or firemen, handed us candy-canes. This event shows the kindness of the people of Gibbsboro, to take time to make children happy.