Bio

Age 9, West Virginia

Favorite Subject: language arts

Book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Music: hip hop

Extracurricular Activities: Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Ladies Auxiliary junior member, cheerleading, and basketball

Hobbies: fishing, crafting, helping the fire department with fundraisers

Samantha likes to help out whenever she can. When she grows up she wants to have job that helps the public, either by being a reporter or even going into politics.

"As a Scholastic Kid Reporter, I hope to learn better story writing skills," she said.

In her free time, Samantha just likes to relax and play on the computer.

Samantha is in the fourth grade in Pine Grove, West Virginia. She has three brothers.

Check out Samantha's articles:

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Samantha reviews Pamela Henn's book, Nick and Slim: The Legend of the Falcon Mine.

• Talking with Pamela Henn
Samantha interviews the author of Nick and Slim: The Legend of the Falcon Mine.

Almost Heaven

By Samantha Roberts
Scholastic Kids Press Corps

John Denver made the phrase "almost heaven" popular with his song "Country Roads." It was released in 1971 and the phrase quickly became a kind of unofficial state song for West Virginia. Now you see "Almost Heaven" on our license plates and state signs.

West Virginia had a pretty rough beginning. We didn't want to be a part of the Confederacy and decided to fight against slavery. We became the only state in the union that split from another state. On June 20, 1863, West Virginia was admitted into the Union—the only state formed by Presidential Proclamation.

We welcome millions of tourists to our state every year. Our rivers offer some of the best fishing and white-water rafting in the world. Our mountains offer rock climbing, cave exploring, hiking, and beautiful leaves as they change in autumn.

West Virginia is a lot smaller in size and population than some other states, but that is what makes us special. My state is made up of friendly, down-to-earth people.

I live in the town of Pine Grove. We have a population of about 500 people. I know most of the people in my town and that makes me feel pretty safe. Most of our citizens take time to volunteer. My dad and older brother are volunteer firefighters. My mother and I are in the Ladies Auxiliary for the fire department.

Our fifth- and sixth-grade Short Line Lumberjacks football team wasn't even close to winning a game this year, but the crowds at the games would make you think that they were undefeated.

What could be more special than living in a town with family and friends, located in a beautiful state that is full of history?