WINNER OF AMERICAN GIRL DOLL CONTEST IS ANNOUNCED

Twelve-year-old Aurora Fares of Canfield is the winner of The Vindicator’s 2016 American Girl Doll Essay Contest, which we conducted in conjunction with the upcoming American Girl Fashion Show presented by Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

The 8- to 12-year-old participants were given the task of writing an essay in 200 words or fewer about an imaginary adventure in her life. That theme was in keeping with the story that accompanies American Girl Doll’s 2016 Girl of the Year doll, Lea Clark. She was this year’s contest prize.

Each doll in American Girl’s line comes with a book telling a story of how she successfully dealt with a challenge in her life. Lea is described as an aspiring photographer and an animal lover. When a family trip to Brazil turns dangerous, she proves that she has what it takes to face adventure head-on.

AURORA'S WINNING ESSAY (unedited):

My amazing adventure begins in the frozen tundra. My team of eight, sleek bobcats pull my trusty, old bobsled through a fierce snowstorm. Between the swirling snowflakes, I see several animals that need my help as I navigate the harsh landscape. First, I see an Arctic tern who became lost when migrating. I give her my map and point her in the right direction. As my team lunges forward, I notice a tiny chipmunk stranded outside of his burrow. I wrap my scarf around him and it becomes a warm, cozy nest. Further along, I see a helpless Maine coon cat. An Arctic wolf chased her up a tall tree on a brittle branch. I quickly rescue her and she becomes my sidekick. I name her Avalanche. Together, we travel through the blowing snow and howling wind! Avalanche abruptly stops. She smells a chickadee that was searching for berries on the ground and became buried in a snowdrift. We dig out the delicate creature and feed her morsels. Avalanche and I make a fantastic team! The snowstorm weakens as we travel the barren terrain. Suddenly, we notice a sign welcoming us back to Canfield. We had an amazing FROZEN journey!

ABOUT OUR WINNER

Aurora is shown in an outfit identical to the one worn by Lea, the doll Aurora will carry in the fashion show. This will be Aurora’s fourth year as a model in the show.

She is the daughter of Buddy and Maria Elena Fares of Canfield and a seventh-grader at the Lewis School in Youngstown.

Her school activities include competing in LEGO Robotics, Pentathlon and the science fair, which she has won at both the regional and state levels, and performing in school plays.

Her other interests are Girl Scouts, performing with Dublin Grange Theater Co., gymnastics, roller skating and knitting.

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ONLINE

To read some of the other essays the judges liked, go to www.vindy.com/american-girl.

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NOW, ON WITH THE SHOW:

BOARDMAN

Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley is inviting children, their friends and families to the American Girl Fashion Show planned for Saturday and next Sunday at Antone’s Banquet Center, 8578 Market St.

The show will include lunch, party favors, door prizes and raffles featuring American Girl merchandise.

Performances are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days, and the program will showcase historical and contemporary fashions for girls and their dolls.

More than 160 local children will be models. There will be scholarship opportunities, program ads and VIP family tables are available. Tickets are $30 each and can be ordered by calling 330-746-8712 or visiting www.akronchildrens.org/americangirlfashionshow.

A limited number of guest-modeling opportunities also are available to the public. Models must pay a $10 guest-modeling fee and purchase the official American Girl Fashion Show T-shirt for $25 to model during intermission at the show. Proceeds will benefit local programs and services of the hospital.

The Kids’ Crew of Akron Children’s will conduct a grand raffle. Tickets are $5, and the prize packages include an American Doll, book and other items. The drawing will take place at the conclusion of next Sunday’s show. Winners need not be present.

Event sponsors include Denise and John York and the DeBartolo Corp., Gasser Chair Co., Huntington Bank and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Petrarca.

Amy Gasser and Atty. Shirley Smith are co-chairwomen.

Kids’ Crew volunteers are Susan Berny, Cathy Campana, Betty Cmil, Julie Costas, DJ Depp, Mary Dulay, Jessica Fister, Paula Jakubek, Gayle Kelly, Diana McDonald, Stephanie Mikouis, Lori Mowad, Margaret Nigro, Michelle Restivo, Debbie Shattuck, Linda-Lee Siegle, Lois Smith and Pattie Welsh. Also assisting are Akron Children’s staff members JoAnn Stock, senior director of development; Allison Engstrom, development coordinator; Sherri Mattace-Horvat, development assistant; Kelsey Moreton, development coordinator; Amber Gallo, show coordinator; and Rikki Batson and Brian Lyons, development interns.

Other essays the judges liked (unedited):

NAME: Aly Huston

Age: 9

City of residence: Girard

One cold Saturday morning in February, my cat ran away. We could not find him, so we decided to go on an adventure!

We started by hiking up the North mountain. We saw reindeer, snowmen and colorful penguins sliding on their bellies! When we got to the top we could not find him! So we hopped onto a penguin and slid down the mountain. It was so much fun! I got a yellow penguin!

Then we went to the forest. We saw a lot of animals, but not my cat. I was starting to get worried. What if we never find him? All of a sudden we heard wolves....but they were nice. Yes, nice wolves!

They told us how to get to the meadow, so that is where we went. We saw a lot of cows, but not my cat. So we followed the cows to the lake.

At the lake we saw beautiful fish. They were purple, pink and blue! Just then, we saw my cat! So we swam home with the fish.

We were so happy we found him so we went walking, but wait, where is my cat? Here we go again. Another adventure!

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NAME: Carlie Adkins

Age: 10

City of residence: Leetonia

I wished on a wishing star that I was a cheetah. The next morning I was a female cheetah in the jungle. I looked like a normal cheetah and my name was Carlie Adkins .

I started to walk through the jungle when I saw a monkey named Bob. He said,” There’s a problem; a hunter is killing all the jungle animals.”

Bob and I went looking for the hunter, we walked for days. We finaly found him and made a plan to sneak into his tent when he was sleeping and steal his weapons.

The next morning when the hunter woke up he saw that his weapons were gone and asked, “Who stole my weapons?” The hunter went looking for his weapons and found them behind a bush.

Then, started to go looking for something to kill when he found a baby rabbit he tried to shoot it but I stopped him and tied him with a rope to a tree.

I had saved all the jungle animals. The momma rabbit thanked me. Then I saw a shooting star and wished to be a human again. When I woke up I was a ten year old girl. That’s how I turned into a cheetah.

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NAME: Lindy Spear

Age: 12

City of residence: Canonsburg, PA

“Next is Lindy Spear,’’ said a lady.

That was me. My heart began to beat like a butterfly’s wings.

Here I was, auditioning for the Broadway musical, The Wizard of Oz, in New York. I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this! When I performed, I felt like I could do anything.

I slowly raised myself out of the seat and looked at my mom and dad.

“You got this,” said my mom.

I followed the lady back to the room. There were 6 people who looked tired.

“Ok,’’ said a man who I knew was the director.

‘’Just sing ‘Over the rainbow’ for us, please.’’

I started to sing. I couldn’t believe I was actually doing it! When I finished, everyone looked pleased. I smiled wide.

They gave me a script and had me read for Dorothy! Acting always made me feel strong and alive!

Now this was the tricky part. They would teach me a dance, and I would have to be able to do it.

The dance choreographer started to teach me a tap dance.

It looked super complicated!

‘’Ready?’’ the lady asked.

‘’You got this,’’ I thought.

I did it!!!!!!!!!

I got a call back!

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NAME: Luella Shepard

Age: 9

Hello! My name is Luella, and I have a great friend named Amber. We have known each other for about a year now.

Our friendship isn’t like any ordinary friendship. You see, other than in pictures, I have never seen Amber. I have never actually talked to her either.

You might be wondering how it is that you can have a “great friend” that you have never seen or even talked to? Well, let me explain. Amber and I are pen pals.

Amber lives in England, just outside of London. We have written many letters to each other, shared pictures, sent videos, and our moms have even become good friends through all of this as well! I have learned about her family and their traditions, her friends at school, the activities she does and so much more!

For living so far away from each other, we are surprisingly very alike and the ways that we are different are not very noticeable at all.

Having a friend that you feel like you know so much about, and have so much in common with, but have never seen or talked to face to face can be a bit tough.

I often think about what it would be like to hop on an airplane and give Amber a surprise visit! I picture the look on her face if I were to knock on her front door and say, “Surprise, it’s me Luella, all the way from the U.S.A!!!”

I imagine how much fun we would have right off the bat, since we wouldn’t have to spend any time getting to know each other! She would take me around where she lives, showing me and telling me all about her country. We would enjoy every minute and not waste even a second of our great adventure together!

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NAME: Alyssa Long

Age: 11

City of residence: Youngstown

We were walking through the woods at Yellowstone National Park. We can see the sun shining in an opening in the trees. Then we had stopped dead in our tracks. Standing before us was a big ugly cyclopes that stood with leathery green warty skin.

Molly gasped but I covered her mouth with my hand silencing her. The monster had already heard us. We turned and ran as fast as we could, but he had caught up to us.

“Fee, fie, foe, fum I smell the blood of an English girl! “Yelled the giant.

We screamed.

We jumped from the giant’s clutch and ran. We found a cave to hide in. But the cyclopes found us and started to cry. From behind me I heard Molly say something.

“What is wrong?” she said a little shakily.

“Everyone always runs away thinking that I am bad!” he said in crying.

“So you’re not going to hurt us?” I say with a sudden burst of confidence.

“No!” he said finally starting to calm down a little.

“Oh, then maybe we could be friends? “Molly asked the giant.

“I would like that,” said the giant.

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NAME: Lily Bailey

Age: 8

City of residence: Greenville, PA

One beautiful day, I went on a walk with my best friends, Emily and Ainsley and our dogs. They spotted a butterfly and started running – pulling the leashes really hard, making us run, too.

We finally stopped to see a sparkling light coming from a door. “Oh my,” exclaimed Ainsley. “Ruff,” barked the dogs. We went close and it sucked us into a fantastic world.

When we arrived, I wished I had food and to our very eyes we saw a feast of food.

“What just happened?” Emily asked.

“I have no idea,” answered Ainsley. We kept walking until we noticed a humungous castle.

“Should we go in?” asked Ainsley.

“Yes,” I said.

When we got closer, we saw a banner that had “WISHING TOWN” swirled with rainbow paint. I now knew where the food came from. It appeared when I wished for it!

Beside the castle was an enchanted forest. We went into the forest and found a waterfall. We wished we had swimming suits and they appeared!

We played in the waterfall for a long time. Then we picked flowers to make headbands with. When the afternoon was over, we went home with memories of an enchanted afternoon.

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NAME: Kaleigh Williams

Age: 10

City of residence: Canfield

“What is that!” I thought to myself while scuba diving with my family. I noticed something glittering in the ocean down below, so I decided to check it out.

Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a city inhabited by merpeople! I was so excited; I found the lost city of Atlantis!

All of the beautiful merpeople were so nice to one another, and to me. They invited me to visit them so I could learn about their amazing world. While there, I saw that everyone got along; there were no bullies. I also learned that no one ever got sick, or had any type of disability. Atlantis was a complete utopia - a perfect world!

When I asked why this was, one of the mermaids, Marina, brought me to meet King Triton, who was also really nice. I asked him how they kept Atlantis so perfect. He said that love, kindness, and acceptance were the keys.

Eventually, I had to surface, but I can’t wait to dive again and visit the city. From now on, I will do my best to spread the three keys that I learned from Atlantis between my friends and classmates.

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NAME: Maddie Garwood

Age: 9

City of residence: Poland

Today I got a big surprise-my mom said that we were going to Alaska! She also said that I could invite two of my friends to come along with us.

I chose Grace and Madison, my best friends. They were both really excited and when the day came, we left eagerly. We packed warm!

When we got to Alaska, Grace asked my mom if we could explore. She said yes, so headed off! I saw a clearing in the distance after about an hour, and I ran ahead.

What I saw nearly made me faint. Two grizzly bears stood next to a rushing stream. I called the others as softly as possible, and we followed them.

But just then, I heard something crack. I realized that the “ground” we were on was actually a frozen ice surface or something. It crackled and then we fell.

Instead of ice-cold water, we found ourselves in an icy cavern! We spotted the bears in an entrance to a tunnel. They must have led us here! We walked into the tunnel and saw other tunnels branching off into other caverns.

We were led into a small den by the grizzly bears. It must be their home! None of us wanted to talk in case this was a trap.

The smaller grizzly bear turned around and sniffed through a box on the ground.

When it turned, it had three rings in its mouth. Each one was silver with a beautiful turquoise stone carved into the head of a grizzly bear.

Madison gasped. We slipped them onto our fingers and just stood there.

Suddenly, I realized that we were stuck here, as we fell through ice downward. The big bear looked at us and then at our fingers while making magical looking movements, finally ending with an upward gesture.

We looked at each other, and gestured upward with our hands. A large ice pillar brought each of us to the surface on at a time! It turns out the rings were magical!

As we headed to the airport a few days later, I knew that wasn’t the last time we encounter those grizzly bears!

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NAME: Cali Young

Age: 11

City of residence: Boardman

It all started May 10, 2015 when my mom told me about it I screamed in tears because this was my first camping trip. When my mom said cali get your things, I grabbed them and went.

When I was in my car I sat in the back. I had my IPhone, IPad, and IPod, and played them all. The games I played were candy cruch, crossy road, and shopkins. When we finilly got there I had to go to the bathroom so I left my things in the car, when we got back I went to get my things they were gone!

I looked every where up, down, side, to side and nothing. All my stuff gone, I can’t believe it my dad will kill me! So me and my mom looked everywhere for it, we said someone stole it because they left this clue that was not ours, foot prints in the mud. They were not regular foot prints.

So my mom said what kind of foot prints are they? Well my mom was acting clueless, I had to be a detective today. I put on my thinking cap and said lets rule. So me, my mom, and my sister checked the lost and found for them, my mom looked around the camp site.

I started to panic because what if I can’t find them, they don’t just grow on trees you know. So we finished looking and still we did not find them. It was dark out and we had to go to sleep.

When I woke up I got dressed, when I was putting on my shoes I saw something a big, big man holding a book bag that looked like mine. So me and my sister were folowing it. After that he stopped, and me and my sister jumped on it. Then we took it’s mask of. OMG it was......

It was big foot! Me and my sister grabbed my things and ran like the wind. Mom the person who my things was big foot, you guys are silly! “No” we are not lying we swear to god. OK girls I think we should go eat some breakfast. Ahh mom you don’t under stand. That was the best camping trip and the goofiest trip.

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NAME: Katie Campbell

Age: 11

City of residence: Lake Milton

Vroom. A car zoomed by my house. My eyes zapped open from my deep sleep. Walking toward my dresser, I saw a golden, ever-so-shimmering necklace. It’s chain was golden, with a diamond shaped jewel in the middle. I pulled the necklace around my neck. Sparkles floated around me and another minute later, I had landed flat on my face!! “Ouch!”

I stood up. I had the same necklace on, but now I had a fitted strapless dress on with sparkles. I turned around and what looked like the North Pole was a giant candy factory! A proper an wearing a tucedo addressed me very kindly. “What a nice day to see you here,” said the man.

“My name is Katie,” I said.

“I am Mr. Fuggmicknuggets. Better known as Fuggie.” He showed me around the factory, and I tried to stay with him but something caught my eye...a weird guy dressed in a clown suit was stealing a box of jelly beans!

I walked over to him to set down the box at once because those candies were not his. The clown thief refused!

I got Fuggie, and when he arrived, the clown man said “I will keep stealing treats as much as I want.”

Fuggie went to stop him, but the clown-man used his wand and he disappeared in sparkles.

I then realized my purpose. I woke up a young 11-year-old girl, and now I was transformed into a magical, candy saving hero. And so my adventures begin...

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NAME: Kristen Campbell

Age: 9

City of residence: Lake Milton

“Mom, look at that Forest Tour! Can I please go?” I was on vacation, and I saw a place with birds and exotic animals.

“All right honey, but please look after yourself,” mom said. So I casually walked in. When I did, one second later, I was somewhere else...in a RAINFOREST!

“Rrrrrrr!!” went the sound of a chainsaw. I hurried over to see a man cutting down a Kapok tree! “Stop!!” I shouted. “You are hurting the animals of the rainforest!”

The guy sneered. “I am not even close to hurting them.”

“These animals depend on you,” I explained.

“WHAT?” he snickered and ran away through the trees. There were more “Rrrrrrrr-ing” sounds as I ran through the trees to adress this man. “I’m Kristen, and stop cutting down all the trees!!!”

“Never!” he exclaimed.

“Listen,” I begged. “These animals need you, and if you cut down all the trees, their homes will be gone!”

“Why should I stop?” he said half-heartedly.

“Because if you cut down the trees, there will be no more animals left! What if you were them?”

“I-I-I ummm,” he stuttered. “I guess so.”

“Let’s save the rainforest!!” I shouted cheerfully.

And from now on, I still visit the rainforest full of trees when I can.

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NAME: Gabriella Trobek

Age: 11

City of residence: Hubbard

My imaginary adventure is to go to New York City. I would want to go during Christmas time. I love to dance, so I would love to see the Rockettes perform.

When I arrived I was chosen to be their one and only special guest of the day. For being their special guest, I got to go backstage and meet all the dancers. I also got front row seats to see the Rockettes perform.

My day of fun was no where near being over. Since I love dancing so much I arrived at the “Nutcracker Ballet” by a limosine. After the Nutcracker not only did I get to go shopping I got to go with the rockettes.

After shopping at nearly every single store, the Rockettes took me to the American Girl Doll Store. I got to finish my amazing trip making a doll that looked just like the rockettes.

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NAME: Michaela Mayne

Age: 9

City of residence: North Jackson

I was in my treehouse with my dolls. My mom calls me inside. There’s a letter for me. Inside their was a necklace. I put it on it sparkled. I went back to my treehouse. My dolls said “Hi.” I said “How can you talk?” The dolls said “Your necklace.” I can’t believe one of my most favorite dreams has come true!

I told nobody about this. My dolls and I do a lot together like riding bikes, going to the mall, and even went on a nice vacation to Hawaii! I started to think I can’t be with my dolls forever, I’m going to get married have children! What am I going to say to my dolls.

My dolls I had fun until one day. I was washing my face. My necklace was on my neck. Oh no! My necklace fell into the sink! I ran to my dolls no talking no moving. I had a great adventure with my dolls but it would have to end some day. I did plan when I got older my children could play with my dolls. Maybe they can have an adventure just like me!

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NAME: Hensley Nicholson

Age: 10

City of residence: Salem

I was asleep, dreaming, or maybe thinking. I wasn’t sure. I was on a beach, the wind was blowing, and oh, the scent of tropical fruit was in the air. There are no two better words to describe this place, amazingly beautiful.

I didn’t know what beach I was on or what country. I was in, maybe Jamaica. It was unclear, but incredible. Coconuts, mangos, pineapples, bananas, fruit growing everywhere! I was in awe, but then I heard a strange noise, something flew towards me, I ducked, it hit a palm tree. I ran to see what it was.

Smushed against the tree was a fairy! She was not American, but Jamaican! I nearly fainted! In my dream at least. I always heard myths about fairies, but didn’t know if they were friendly. I quickly cut to my senses. I helped her get her wings unstuck from the palm.

Later I got to know her, she was very kind. We had a wonderful time! We went on an old tour bus, it was stunning! The fairy had spectacular powers, she could make flowers bloom whenever she wanted to! I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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NAME: Kaylynn C.

Age: 9

City of residence: Kensington

One day I was helping my mom load the washer when the cloths pulled me in. The lid shut and the clothes pulled me in. The lid shut and the washer started to spin in circles. It was dark and fast.

It finally stopped. Then I opened the lid. It was pretty with butterfly’s and a path lined with flowers I stepped out of the washer and on the path. Then a princess walked to me. She told me I was going to get two wishes while walking the path. She said to follow the path and there will be one box along the way.

So I started walking the path and came to the box. When I opened the box a voice asked me for my wishes. I said “I want to help the animals and people who don’t have homes”. Then the princess told me good bye and I started spinning again but in the dryer this time.

When the spinning stopped I got out and I was home. I told my family I had the best adventure ever.