Dayona McNeil 

Neighborhood: Olney
I am: a sister, aunt, daughter, basketball player, and student. I can't get enough of shopping and spending time with the people I love.
Years in Philly: Most of my life
Dear Philly,

 I been here for most of my life. I lived in about 3 different neighborhoods throughout my whole life. Soon I will be going to college and leaving but I can say I will most likely be back. I had fun times, crazy times, and bad times but I can say it was all worth it. 

Dayona

Charles Norman
West Philly​
18

Dear Philly,
Let me just say I love you so much. You have some of my favorite things. My number one favorite thing is the Philadelphia Eagles! If it wasn't for you Philly I wouldn't have my Eagles. You have a lot of good food too! I really love those hoagies. Hoagies are my favorite food. I believe Philly has the best hoagies. You may not always be kind to everyone, but I love your toughness. It gets cold here too. I love the freezing temperatures in the winter. I was born here 18 years ago, I've only lived here. I don't plan on living anywhere else, but in this beautiful city of Philadelphia! E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!
CHARLES

Jenny Landham

Favorite Spot: Swan Fountain (Logan Circle) 

Neighborhood: Mt. Airy 

Address: Williams Avenue & Sedgwick Street 

I am: A senior in high school, A writer artist and photographer, A crazy Phillies and Flyers fan, A born and raised Philadelphian

Years in Philly: 18

Current Home: Mt. Airy 

Dear Philadelphia, 

You have been my home since I was born. I can’t see leaving you and not being some sort of homesick. You have housed me for so many years and you have taught me all I know. I have learned so much from you. So many thoughts about what you have started as and what you are becoming. Your beautiful central city lights in the night. People come from all around just to view your amazing memorial sites. 

Why do I love you you might ask. You have so many things to give. Your beautiful parks, how can someone not love it. Your city is a memory maker. What about the parades that happen in you, the events, Christmas village. You have so much to teach. Your history, the railroads, the historical homes. 

Dear Philadelphia, I love you for what you have and what you made. 

​Gabby Nigro
Neighborhood: Northeast, Philly 
Favorite Spot: New Years Day Parade (mummers) 
I am a senior in high school, a cheerleader, and a future sailor in the United States Navy. 
I have been in Philly for 17 years.

My Love Note: 
Dear New Years Parade,

I love you! I enjoy walking down Broad street every year dressed up in a costume. I enjoy strutting and dancing down to entertain people from all over Philly. The 17 years that I have been in Philly I have not missed one parade. As a little kid my mom would bundle me up and take my sister and I to Broad and Washington to watch all the brigades and string bands. The best part of this day is going to party on 2nd street (two street). Whoever goes to the parade on Broad street, or whoever is in the parade has to experience two street at least once in their life. I was about 13 years old when my mom actually took my sister and I to 2nd street. It was the best experience. I remember dancing all night long with all the drunken mummers. Now I have a different experience because I am actually in the parade. I do not get to see all the mummers until later that night at the party on two street. Philly I love you for having the Mummers Parade every year. I am going to miss you dearly when i leave for the Navy. Thank you for all the memories that I have had from the parades my whole life. 


With complete love,
Gabby

Jordan

Sports fan, student, computer nerd.

Dear Philly,

Although sometimes my friends hate you, you have never been bad to me. There are many different reasons to love you and the things that are offered. I got to say my favorite people are the sports fans of the different Philly teams. I feel like many people say the fans are the worst, I say they are the best because they pressure the teams of our city to do the right things and give them a piece of there mind. Communication between the team and the fans is important, additionally they are always working to get into the head of the players letting them know if they are doing good or bad. Some other things about the city are all the different areas you have, I live in chestnut hill go to school in Center City and my school plays baseball in south Philly. I get to experience all the different people that you contain, the stories that I can tell when I am old will be great. Also you are in the right place you are close to the beach the mountain's and can do just about anything with in a 2 hour drive, including amusement parks. You have some weird traditions that I do not take place in, but having the window open for when I am older is great. Your dear friend septa is not appreciated by many, but I cannot complain, I have many stories to tell and don't have to go to school when the train breaks down, I meet many different types of people on the train ride to school, but tend not to talk to strangers. I love to ride the Broad Street Line when going to games it makes the game that much better, and people will be chanting for their team before the game starts, and after all the drunks get on the train and many good stories to tell.

Samantha Zeisloft 

Favorite Spot: The Crik

Neighborhood: Roxborough 

I am: a Philly explorer  

Adress: hermitage 

Roses are red violets are blue, theres no other city, that i love more than you. I've spent the last 18 years in you dear philly, and you have made me nothing less than happy. Your beautiful sunny skies and hectic city life never fail to bring a smile to my face. When I think of my home, I think not of a house or a bed i think of you, and all of your beautiful varying sceneries. From your crazy inner city, to your beautiful, peaceful woods, its nearly impossible to dislike something as amazing as you. <3