A ninth grader from West New York says he wants a shot at interviewing former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and now, as a Scholastic Kids Press Corps member, he may get the chance.
Ash Proenza, 14, was recently selected to join the young press team. “Kid Reporters” for Scholastic, a national publisher of children’s books and educational materials, are sometimes seen on TV interviewing celebrities and politicians and covering presidential elections.
Suzanne Freeman, director of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, said the program began with the 2000 election.
“It started in New Hampshire, on the ground, with kids interviewing a wide range of candidates,” she said. She added that Kid Reporters followed the entire election through the inauguration, and it was a great success.
“We had an amazing time,” said Freeman. “The kids had an amazing time.”
As a result, Scholastic decided to continue the program as a full-time, year-round project. Freeman, who was instrumental in its establishment, said the program coincides with Scholastic’s goal to help kids become lifelong learners and leaders in their communities.
The Scholastic Kids Press Corps has grown to about 50 members who are mostly between the ages 10 and 14.
Setting an example
Proenza said that he was impressed when he saw a Kid Reporter on TV.
“I didn’t know there could be kid reporters out there,” he said. “I thought it would be a great thing to do.”
As part of his application to the program, Proenza said he was required to turn in an essay about his hometown.
“I just basically said there is great food here,” said Proenza. He added that the town’s specialty is Cuban cuisine.
“My favorite is the papaya shakes that I can get from the Cuban restaurant across the street from my house,” he said.
Freeman said that his essay made an impression on her and that she learned quite a bit about West New York.
“His writing had a voice,” she said, “and he taught me something about his community.”
For his first story, Proenza covered Disney on Ice, a show that combines characters from several cartoon movies, at the Izod Center in East Rutherford last month. Proenza said he liked being there, in the middle of the action, and interviewing the performers in person.
“When I came home to write the story, I felt really alive,” he said.
His articles, along with those by other Kid Reporters, are posted on Scholastic News Online, and some articles are also published in the Scholastic News magazine, which is read in classrooms around the nation.
Freeman added that Kid Reporters set an example and provide other youngsters with a chance to learn more about what is going on all over the country, since they are encouraged to write about local events and other topics that interest them.
Obama and Carrey
Proenza said that he might write about video games, Broadway shows, or any kind of competition.
As far as one-on-one interviews, he said that in addition to Palin, he would like to speak to President-elect Barack Obama because his inauguration will create history.
“Since he is going to be the first African-American president,” said Proenza, “it is going to be really big.”
“When I came home to write the story, I felt really alive.” – Ash Proenza
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But, he said, the person he would most like to interview is actor Jim Carrey.
“He was one of my favorite comedians of all time, when I was younger, and still is now,” he said.
Proenza said that his experience as a Kid Reporter has made him consider a future career in journalism, though he does have other strong interests.
“Well, I have three options,” he said, “to be a game designer, game tester, or a reporter.”
Freeman said, “Journalism skills can help you throughout your life. A good journalist is curious about the world, wants to be involved, [and] needs to be a good reader.”
She added that the program also helps kids build strong self-confidence.
“All these things will build leadership skills and prepare them for whatever they want to do in life,” said Freeman.