With a gleeful smile and a warm handshake, Tamaqua Elementary School fifth-grader Olivia Brown, 11, accepted her red Little Miss Spirit of Christmas sash and silver crown from Judy Hoppes, who heads the contest. The contest is part of Tamaqua's Spirit of Christmas Festival, which is headed by Jean Towle.

Four Tamaqua Elementary School students took time to write their thoughts on the spirit of Christmas. Their responses, matched with their photographs, were on display at the Wells Fargo Bank in Tamaqua from Nov. 10-21, and visitors to the bank voted for their favorites. Brown's essay received the most votes.As Little Miss Spirit, Brown, the daughter of Erin Green of Tamaqua, will participate in the activities slated during the Spirit of Christmas Festival, Friday through Sunday.Each entrant in the contest will participate in the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce Santa Parade at 6 p.m. Friday.The essays received for the contest are:Olivia Brown, Tamaqua Elementary "The Spirit of Christmas means to me decorating the Christmas tree with my family. Friends and family gathered all around. Laughter, joy, and sharing."Lillian McNutt, Tamaqua Elementary "What does Christmas mean to me? Christmas is a time to be with family to celebrate Jesus Christ, and spend time with those we love."Joselyn Tamagini, Tamaqua Elementary "Hi, my name is Joselyn. My favorite part of Christmas is spending time with family and friends. It's also about celebrating Jesus' birth. That's what Christmas means to me."Rylee Wenzel, Tamaqua Elementary What the Spirit of Christmas means to me is the birth of Jesus. It also means to me spending time with friends and family."