DEAR SANTA: 1st graders share elf skills

APPRENTICE ELVES — First graders at Gilmour Elementary School have added a twist to their letters to Santa this year. They started with job applications for positions in Santa’s North Pole operations, complete with photos of themselves in elf garb. Next, they wrote letters to Santa describing exactly how they can help out. Lacey Kuehn’s class was the first to submit their letters to the Times & Free Press this year. After publishing them on Page 13, we have dutifully forwarded them on to the North Pole. We’ll publish more letters beginning with Wednesday’s paper, and Friday is the final deadline for submission to kfrtimeseditor@gmail.com. Mrs. Kuehn’s students include: front row, from left, Raidyn Townsend, Ryder Franks, Jonah Matthews, Brooke Rother, Owen Matthews, Jesus Rivera and Jerry Ellis; back row, Brody Willms, Luna Mercado, Liam Imes, Braylee Wittrock, Pressley Page, Camryn Redwine and Jaxx Kopp. Not pictured are Christian Kochenower, Kiera Ortiz, Aaron Warren and Kendra Ponce. [Photo Provided]