McALESTER — Shannah Palmer, 13, and Nathaniel Brown, 15, both of McAlester, won the title of McAlester News-Capital Junior Reporter with their essay entries in the News-Capital contest. They scored free tickets to Monday night's Harlem Globetrotters game for themselves and their families, and they will interview the athletes before the game.
Here are their winning essays.
Why I think I should get the interview
By Shannah Palmer, 13, McAlester
Hello, my name is Shannah, I’m in eighth grade and I believe the reason I should interview the Harlem Globetrotters is because my father has wanted to see them since he was a child.
When my father heard that they were coming to McAlester, he became very excited. He told me had asked his father to see the Harlem Globetrotters but he was never able to go.
I think that it would be an amazing gift for my father because he takes care of me and allows me to do the things I enjoy doing. Sadly, my mother passed away on July 28, 2008 from breast cancer. My father was heartbroken, but he still managed to both take care of me and my brother, and work to pay bills. That December, my father had his sixth heart attack and had to have a double bypass surgery. About two years ago, my father developed throat cancer and had to have chemo and radiation. Even under those stressful situations, my father still took very good care of us and we even became closer as a family because of it.
Winning this competition would mean a lot to me too because I love writing. I have written songs and at age seven, I wrote a children’s book. I would also be an honor because I would love to meet the Harlem Globetrotters in person. I have always wanted to do something amazing and this would be my chance.
Thank you so much for reading this and I hope you will consider me as the winner.
By Nathaniel Brown, 15, McAlester
I think I should be chosen to interview the Harlem Globetrotters because I am wanting to be a sports journalist. If I get chosen, it would help with my chances of getting accepted into the University of Oklahoma for their journalism program. It has always been my dream to watch the Harlem Globetrotters. I also might add that I have never seen the Harlem Globetrotters play in person, only on the television screen. It would be a dream if I had the opportunity to meet them in person. I selected, I would ask them questions such as: “What was the most embarrassing thing you had to do as a Harlem Globetrotter?”, “What is your favorite part of being a Harlem Globetrotter?”, and “What was your best experience as a Globetrotter?”, among many other questions. After college, I hope to cover a basketball team for any newspaper. With this experience, it would definitely help my credentials. I can guarantee you that you would not be disappointed if you selected me as an interviewer of the Globetrotters. Hopefully, you can help me with my dream by selecting me as the interviewer for the 10th-12th grade levels. I will also become an umpire for the Boys and Girls Club in baseball, softball, and possibly basketball starting in March. I can honestly say that I don’t think that you could find a better candidate to interview the Globetrotters.
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