David Herman, age 13, of Williamspore, Penns, for his question:

Why is Pennsylvania called the Keystone State?

The original 13 colonies stretched down the eastern seaboard of America. A map of them formed an arch. The State of Pennsylvania held a central position in this arch. And what is at the center of an arch of masonary? A keystone, of course ‑ a tapered stone supporting the slops on either side. In colonial days, Pennsylvania occupied this place on the map.

The original 13 colonies have long since been swallowed by a map that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. But Pennsylvania still keeps its old pet name of the Keystone State.

Its rich, green rolling hills were settled by William Penn, for whom the state is named. The green trees also got into the name. Pennsylvania means Penn's woods ‑ a beautiful name for a beautiful state.