Election Coverage from Scholastic's Kids Press Corp
RSSBy Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 11/03/2008
While most people will be glued to their TVs and computers following today’s election coverage, you and your students may want to check out the reporting of a lesser known media group—the eight-member Scholastic News Kids Press Corp.
The kid reporters—who range in age from 9 to 14—have been on the campaign trail since last January’s primaries and are covering today’s historical event like seasoned pros. In fact, some were even mentored by TV reporters such as NBC’s Brian Williams and Andrea Mitchell, as well as Tim Russert, the late host of Meet the Press.
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Six kid reporters spoke yesterday at Scholastic's headquarters about covering the campaign trail. |
Reporter Elizabeth Conway, 14, of Manchester, NH, described the coverage of her state’s primary to being treated to a Huckaburger at a Concord restaurant, while Jack Greenburg, 12, of West Haven, CT, said he learned the importance of impartial reporting. One Scholastic reporter even got a scoop. Jacob Schroeder, 9, of Albuquerque, NM, can now boast being the only person to conduct an interview with John McCain’s youngest daughter, Bridget. Schroeder calmed the 16-year-old’s pre interview jitters by giving her an origami kit.
The Scholastic News Kids Press Corp started in 2000, when kid reporters conducted extensive coverage of the presidential election, and it’s open to all students who read Scholastic News and Junior Scholastic.
Applicants must write a 300 word story about why they want to be a reporter and what they find interesting about politics. Reporters are chosen based on the quality of their writing and enthusiasm for the job.
From Left: Jack Greenberg, 12, Shelby Fallin, 10, Lya Ferreyra, 14.
School Library Journal turned the tables on three Scholastic reporters—Schroeder, who is home schooled, Lya Ferreyra, 14, of Mamaroneck, NY, who attends Rye Neck High School, and Shelby Fallin, 10, of Lakeland, FL, who attends Griffin Elementary School—to ask them about their on-the-job experience.
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Photos: Miles White, Scholastic
Aside from the candidates’ political views, who was the nicest you encountered?
Jacob: It definitely is Governor Richardson. He and I are friends and he is a very smart man.
Lya: Hillary Clinton, she is a hardworking woman who has been through a lot.
Shelby: Mike Huckabee, he was always friendly, never had security and wanted me to ask lots of questions.
What didn’t you like about being a kid reporter?
Jacob & Lya: Not a thing
Shelby: Having to be everywhere at an exact time otherwise you won’t get the interview.
What is the most important thing you learned as a kid reporter?
Jacob: Making sure I don’t give an opinion when I report.
Lya: Don’t let it go to your head. Journalism is serious business and I tried to be a connection between the candidates and students.
Shelby: Patience, through the whole experience I had to wait a lot. I waited 3 hours to meet Rudy Giuliani.
