My name is Skate Harrington.  Real name's Stephen, but I prefer "Skate" instead.  I am thirteen years old and live in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with my family:  mom Kate, dad Stephen (you can see where I got my name), brothers Chip and Skip (don't laugh; that's their real names!), and sisters Haylee, Chrissa, and Dominique.  I'm the third from the youngest.

You will probably figure out once you see me why I am nicknamed "Skate".  (D'oh!)  That's right:  I love to skateboard!  Any chance I get (and if the weather's warm or nice enough), I'm usually outside with my board, practicing the newest tricks.  Guess I want to be another Shawn Thomas, the guy who won some Olympic medals in the recent Winter Olympics held in Canada:  he's one of my idols!

I even skateboard in snow.  Okay, surf.  Rather, snowboard.  I've done this seriously now for three years, since I was ten;  think I have gotten pretty good.  I can even do some of those insane jumps or flips in the air; it's awesome; I love the rush of adrenaline, and the feel of the wind cascading in my ears or in my face.  There's nothing like it in all the world!

I am a good kid.  I love my fam and my friends, and I go to church every Sunday.  Yeah, I may be religious, but that's okay.  I'm better off because of it.  So many of my counterparts are into things like drugs, premature sex, or other forms of trouble; I'd rather not go that route (besides, my parents might kill me first!).  I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was eight; He's done some pretty amazing things in my life, and I can't imagine not having Christ in my life!

When I grow up, I'd either like to go to college (Texas A&M or Oklahoma City) to become a meteorologist or trained storm chaser.  I think that would be cool to see God's natural beauty at work (and at the same time learn to respect the wind).  Or if I don't take that route, I'd like to become a professional skater or snowboarder; I have a few years to decide what I am going to do with the rest of my life.

Well, I'd write more, but I have to eat breakfast and then take a bath and get ready for church.  I hope you enjoyed reading about me and getting to know me just a little bit.  Until later, this is Stephen Harrington (aka "Skate") saying so long!  God bless you too!

~Sincerely, Skate.  :)