Taylor Swift Makes History and Wins Big

By Chloe Anello
November 14, 2009

Editor’s Note: Singing sensation Taylor Swift made music history when she became the youngest person ever to be named ‘Entertainer of the Year’ at the Country Music Awards last week.

The 19-year-old also took home awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year for her song “Love Story,” and Album of the Year with “Fearless.”

Kid Reporter Chloe Anello recently attended a Taylor Swift concert at Madison Square Garden (see blog post below). A year ago, Kid Reporter Sydney Rieckhoff had a sit down interview Swift. Check it out by clicking here!

But first, relive Chloe’s concert experience in New York City.

—Editor Suzanne Freeman

 

Concert Sensation

Going to your first concert is a whole different musical experience from listening to recorded music. For me music came alive when Taylor Swift preformed in Madison Square Garden recently. The sold-out crowd was a sea of tween and teen girls, all fans of 19-year-old singer/songwriter.

The night started off with videos of Swift and her friends Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and Lucas Till talking about their definition of the word fearless. After all it was the Fearless tour!

Swift took the stage in a marching band uniform singing the song “You Belong with Me.” In the middle of the song she pulled off the band uniform to reveal a sparkly fringe dress.

After a couple songs everyone noticed that only the band was on stage. Swift was missing. Then the screams began. I looked to my left and there she was, standing in the aisles. Fans were climbing on seats to get pictures, while others were running to get close to her. It took a while for her to get back to the stage with all the fans trying to hug her or take a picture with her. Once she was on stage she was surprised with a seven-minute standing ovation from adoring and appreciative fans.

For her hit song “Love Story,” the stage transformed into a castle scene. Swift performed in a red dress until back up dancers pulled it off of her revealing another dress, this one white. Swift took off her tiara and gave it to a little girl up front. That sure made one little girl’s day!

Taylor gave two encores. On her last one, there was an amazing special effect that I’ve never seen before. She was singing her song “Should’ve Said No” and at the end water cascaded right on top of her. The water rained down in sheets with the lyrics of the song reflected on it. It was an amazing way to end the show. I’ll never forget it.

—Chloe Anello

Editor’s Note: PHOTO: Taylor Swift with Kid Reporter Sydney Rieckhoff. (Photo courtesy Sydney Rieckhoff)

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Source: Scholastic News Online

What is Future of Journalism?

By Jack Greenberg
October 16, 2009

All About Miranda iCarly Star

 

By Gopa Praturi
Sept. 20, 2009

 

At the age of 16, Miranda Cosgrove has been in the acting business for 13 years. This week an entire special issue of People magazine is devoted to the young star and her number one hit TV show iCarly.

Hundreds of fans lined up at the Bridgewater Commons Mall in New Jersey on Saturday to see her. They clutched copies of the magazine, titled “All About iCarly,” while waiting for an autograph.

“I feel really excited that I’m meeting the star of my favorite show,” said Natasha, a fan from Chatham, New Jersey. “I watch iCarly every day, and I used to watch Drake and Josh a lot, too.” Cosgrove starred as the precocious (and sometimes irritating) little sister on Drake and Josh before landing her own Nickelodeon hit.

In an interview with this Scholastic Kid Reporter, Cosgrove shared some of her secrets of success.

“I think acting is something that you would just naturally like,” she said. “When I was little, I loved to be in plays and I loved getting up in front of people. I always thought about how to make people laugh.”

Like the old joke about how to get to Carnegie Hall, Cosgrove says the way to a career in acting is practice, practice, practice.

“It helps you kind of get into it,” she said. “You can do it with your friends too.”

It may also help to have been born in the movie capital of the world, Los Angeles, California.

Cosgrove got her start at the age of three. Like the legends of Hollywood starlets of old, she was “discovered.” An agent saw her singing and dancing around a table in a restaurant and signed her to act in commercials.

Since then she has starred in TV shows like Smallville and Zoey 101 and in movies like Keeping Up With the Steins and School of Rock.

Of all of her gigs, Cosgrove thinks School of Rock was the most fun. \

“I really liked School of Rock because I was in a movie for the first time, and I got to stay in a hotel for five months…I really liked it,” she said.

Acting is not her only talent. Cosgrove is also a rising young pop singer. In fact, the song “Raining Sunshine” is featured in a new movie to be released this Friday: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Cosgrove is also about to release her first solo CD this fall, with all new music based on her personal life.

She shared her song writing technique with the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

“I have a journal at my house, and if anything exciting happens, I’ll write it down,” she said. “And then when I go through writing sessions, I’ll pull it out and look through it.”

Her list of successes is long. She was recently nominated for a 2009 Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress. Her show, iCarly, was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program. The show also won a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Show in 2009. Also at this year’s Kid Choice Awards, Cosgrove won a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series (comedy or drama).

Despite what looks like an incredibly busy professional life, Cosgrove still has to contend with school. In many respects, she’s no different than any other 16-year-old with a job: she does homework and likes to read.

“I really like To Kill a Mockingbird—it’s my favorite,” Cosgrove said. “I also like Romeo and Juliet. I’m reading Harry Potter right now. Oh, and don’t forget Twilight! Twilight is awesome!”

Wearing a bright blue shiny pullover shirt with a giant yellow smiley face, Cosgrove seemed like any other teen-ager at the mall on a weekend—except for one thing: the hundreds of squealing fans lined up waiting not-so-patiently to meet her.

 

Source: Scholastic News Online

 

Editor’s Note: Gopa Praturi is a member of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.  Actress/singer Miranda Cosgrove with Scholastic Kid Reporter Gopa Praturi at Bridgewater Commons Mall in New Jersey on Saturday, September 12. (Photo Courtesy Brian Killan/Wire Image.com/Getty Images)

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Behind Scenes: U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Kids Day Event.

byJacqueline Minogue
Sept. 10, 2009

 

“Rain, rain go away…” that is all I could think about as I arrived at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, on Saturday. I was there to cover Arthur Ashe Kids Day. The morning activities had already been already canceled. I did not want the stadium concert to be canceled also. Kids Day is the official kick off of the U.S. Open tennis tournament. 

As I walked in the drizzling rain to the press gate, I also realized I did not look my best. All my worries disappeared though once I entered the media center. The place was packed, hectic, and buzzing with excitement.

Press officials explained to reporters that once we entered the dining room where the celebrities were waiting, we would only have a few minutes to get our interviews and photos. In other words: HURRY!

As soon as it was my turn, I raced over to American Idol Jordin Sparks. She recognized my red Scholastic Kids Press Corps shirt. “I used to love reading Scholastic Books!” she said. I literally only had a few seconds with her before the handlers told me to finish up. It was like “speed interviewing”!

Despite the rush, I managed to talk to rising musical stars Justin Bieber and the members of Honor Society. But I missed a lot of the others, like Will Ferrell and the tennis pros, because they had to leave to get ready for their big performances.

I went out to the stadium to see the show and discovered that the rain had stopped! Almost the entire stadium was filled with kids and their families. Everyone danced and sang along with the concert and enjoyed seeing the favorite tennis stars goofing around on the court.

As I was walking out of the stadium after the show, I asked some of the kids what they thought of the day. They loved it!

Then I spotted #3 seed Rafael Nadal walking into the stadium. I ran over to see if I could ask him some questions. He just took my notepad and signed it! I realized he was wearing headphones and couldn’t hear me. He didn’t realize I was a reporter and he was gone before I could explain.

Next, I saw retired tennis great Jimmy Connors. He was in a hurry and wouldn’t talk, but was nice enough to pose for a picture.

Even though the day was gloomy, the stars shined brighter than ever! It was a great day to be a Scholastic Kid Reporter.

 

Editor’s Note: PHOTOS: (TOP) Kid Reporter Jacqueline Minogue with members of the singing group Honor Society; (MIDDLE) Jacqueline with rising singing sensation Justin Bieber; (BOTTOM) Rafael Nadal signs an authograph. (Photos courtesy Jacqueline Minogue)

We would like to know what you think?dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Source:  Scholastic News Online

My Memory of Senator Ted Kennedy

Alexandra Conway
August 30, 2009

 

Kennedy wanted a legacy of hard work for children’s rights, he told this Kid Reporter.

Back in 2004, when I was an 11-year-old Scholastic Kid Reporter, I covered the Democratic National Convention, attending numerous state delegation meetings and caucuses. I had many great experiences, but my most memorable one was my encounter with Senator Ted Kennedy.

I attended a delegation breakfast where he and then-Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack spoke. Kennedy spoke passionately about his interest in education. Following his speech, I weaved and tried to politely push my way through the crowd to get close enough to get his attention. I was eager to ask this notable and influential senator a question or two.

A large group of reporters trotted after the Senator as he left the event. I was with Scholastic Editors and two other Kid Reporters, including my little sister, Elizabeth. We were trying to stay ahead of the pack, when a man with a large camera on his shoulder swung around to get a shot of the Senator walking. I was so close to both of them that the camera hit me right on the head!

With a big throbbing egg on my forehead, I managed to pull myself together and keep running. Within moments, Senator Kennedy had stopped and was looking right at me. Wow!

Lots of other reporters had gathered around and were shouting out questions. Bright lights from the TV cameras were practically blinding me. Despite the glare, I looked Senator Kennedy right in the eyes and asked him how he would like to be remembered. He thought about it a moment before answering. Despite the chaos around him, he gave a measured and sincere answer.

“I want to be remembered as someone who helped children, someone who cares for children,” he said. “Children need good schools to go to, a place to live, good food to eat. The most important thing for children is to have a good education.”

I paid close attention to every word he said as cameras clicked and other reporters shoved. From then on I remembered Senator Kennedy as the most important political figure I ever had the opportunity to interview.

When I woke up this morning, I was devastated to hear that Senator Kennedy died last night. He died in his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, at the age of 77.

My first thoughts went back to my experience in 2004 and the question I had asked him. I know for sure that Senator Kennedy will be remembered as an outstanding public servant and so much more. His brother President John Kennedy once described him as “the best politician in the family.”

Senator Kennedy, who was known as the “last lion” of the senate, had a remarkable congressional career of 47 years. Only two other senators in history have served as long as he did.

His time in the senate was filled with many accomplishments. He was known—and often called—the most effective and hardworking legislator in Congress. He will forever be remembered as a great legacy from a family dynasty of legacies. President Obama said it all when he called Kennedy, “the greatest US Senator of our time.”

Editor’s Note: PHOTO: Scholastic Kid Reporter Alexandra Conway interviews Senator Edward Kennedy at a delegation breakfast during the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, July 29, 2004. Photo by Suzanne Freeman

We would like to know what you think? dan@gooldcoastchronicle.com

Source: Scholastic News Online

Summer Trip Globetrotting in Europe

By Ash Proenza
August 21, 2009

This summer trip could be homework for history class, only much more fun!

I visited Europe this summer, starting with Barcelona, Spain. The reason I went to Barcelona was to visit my mother’s’ family. It was the

first time we met! They were a little shy and so was I. My family was very nice and gave me a tour of the whole city.

Barcelona is one of the oldest cities in all of Europe. I saw several old buildings in the Gothic Quarter. Something did confuse me during my visit. When my cousins spoke to me they would speak in Spanish, which I understand. But when they spoke to each other, they spoke in a language I never heard before. It’s called Catalan and it’s only spoken in a few parts of Europe.

I got a chance to ride on the Metro, which is similar to the subway in New York City. I saw a lot of great sites in Barcelona, but my favorite part of that trip was meeting my cousins from across the Atlantic.

Next on my itinerary was Paris, France. I was in Paris for only one day, but oh what a day!

The first place I saw was the Notre Dame Cathedral. Have you ever heard of Quasimodo? Well Victor Hugo was inspired to write his famous novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, because of that cathedral. When I saw the gargoyles on the roof I thought of the Disney movie about the hunchback. For a spilt second I thought they would start talking just like they do in the movie.

The next stop was the famous Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre, perhaps the most well-known museum in the world. Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa more than 500 years ago!

I climbed the wonderful Eiffel Tower at night while it was all lit up. The line was long, but it was worth the wait. Looking down at Paris from the heights was a grand sight. If you ever go to Paris, remember that the nights are chilly, so bring a coat. I learned that the hard way.

My last destination in Europe was London, England. I rode The Underground (also called The Tube), which is yet another version of New York City’s subway.

London is similar to New York in many ways. For example, in New York we have Times Square. London, has a similar area called Piccadilly Circus. Both have theater districts where all the plays and musicals are staged.

While I was in London, I saw Big Ben, the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament (similar to our capital building where Congress works). It is the world’s most famous and recognizable clock. That was my favorite thing to see because in the Disney movie Peter Pan, Peter flies past Big Ben.

After Ben, I rode the London Eye. The Eye is a spectacular site. It’s the biggest ferris wheel in Europe. I also visited Buckingham Palace, home to Queen Elizabeth, to see the changing of the guards. I didn’t get to see much because there were too many tourists trying to get a glimpse of the Queen’s guards.

We finished are sight seeing with two bridges: the Tower Bridge and London Bridge. Both bridges cross the River Thames, but are very different. The London Bridge is more modern, while the Tower Bridge looks more like old England with a tower on each end.

After all that, the best part of this trip was returning to the hotel for a nice, long nap.

Editor’s Note: PHOTO: Kid Reporter Ash Proenza in front of his favorite sightseeing spot in Europe: the Big Ben clock tower in London. Photo Courtesy Ash Proenza.

We would like to know what you think and how was your summer? dan@youngchronicle.com

Source: Scholastic News Online

Seen Through the Eyes of the Pilgrims

 

By Matthew Spana
Kid Reporter
Scholastic News
August 8, 2009

On board the Mayflower II to Plimouth Plantation in Massachusetts. 

 Imagine traveling for nine weeks, under the deck of a ship, crowded together with 100 other passengers and a variety of animals. You are sometimes wet, cold or sick, as you and your fellow travelers are searching for a new beginning in a new land.  This is how the first settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts, came to America.

As I walked on board the Mayflower II, a copy of the original ship, I could see how these Pilgrims lived as they traveled across the Atlantic Ocean. The replica ship was given to the U.S. by England over 50 years ago.  Like the original it is neither big nor comfortable. 

According to legend, when the Pilgrims first arrived, they saw Plymouth Rock and rejoiced at the new land. That rock is still in Plymouth. It, too, is really small. Plymouth Rock is where many believe William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620 first landed in America. It is the most visited rock in New England!

I also toured the Plimouth Plantation, which is a recreation of a 1627 English village. I learned how the Native Wampanoag people lived, as well as the new colonists from England.  It was interesting to learn how they built their different shelters and gathered their food. I walked around the Wampanoag village smelling food cooking over open fires. The food samples we got to taste were pretty good too! By the way, Wampanaogs have lived in the area for more than 12,000 years.

 

Editor’s Note: PHOTOS: Matthew on board the Mayflower II. Photos Courtesy Matthew Spana

We would like to know what you think? And here any stories of what you did for your summer. dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Source: Scholastic News

My Summer Goals

 

By Gopa Praturi
Scholastic News
July 31, 2009

 

I’ve been waiting for summer all year long. My summer is especially fun because I’m doing lots of awesome thing like a trip to Niagara Falls and two new books to read. I’m also learning quick ways to solve a Rubik’s© Cube.

Niagara Falls  is probably the most beautiful sight in the world. Watching the amazing roar of falling waters is an exhilarating experience. I wanted to know what makes this water fall from such a great height and how it all got started. I did some research and this is what I found out:

    * Niagara Falls was probably created by glaciers about 10,000 years ago. When the ice melted, the water flowed into the nearby river. The Niagara River cuts a gorge and overflows through the Cliff creating the beautiful falls we see today.
    * And to answer why the cliff formed in the first place, one has to turn to geologists.Three types of soil formations interacted to create three major rock formations.These different layers did not erode evenly, so you see how each different kind of soil and rock settled to form the cliff.

I am reading two new books this summer: The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau and The Alchemyst by Michael Scott. City of Ember starts off with an interesting twist about things going wrong with city-threatening disaster-recovery plans. Things tend to slow down as the book progresses, though. I think the ending of The Alchemyst is much more satisfying and interesting

And about the mind-boggling Rubik’s© cube! To solve the puzzle, remember one important cardinal rule. Instead of trying to solve the cube side by side, try doing it in layers. Just keep organizing the layers and it will be done in no time.

Now I can do it pretty fast and once I did it in four minutes, which is not anywhere near the world-record, but that beats our best-ever Family record!

I hope everyone has a great summer!! Enjoy the break, but most important, stay indoors when it’s really hot outside. That’s when activities like summer reading and studying how to solve a puzzle come in handy!

 

Editor’s Note: PHOTO: A collage of summer fun by Gopa Praturi

We would like to know what you think? And what did you do this summer? dan@youngchronicle.com

Source: Scholastic Kids Press

History on the Hudson

By Chloe Anello
Scholastic News
July 12, 2009

When I think of the Hudson River during the summer, I think of speedboats and jet skis. Recently, however, the view was much different. I saw a mixed flotilla of two historic sailing ships, a fire boat spouting water, and two floating museums sailing up New York State’s mightiest river.

I knew these historic ships were coming when I heard a cannon firing. The modern world interrupted for a moment as a helicopter chased the speedboats and jet skis away to clear a watery path for the flotilla. All of this was part of Hudson River Quadricentennial celebration, marking 400 years since Henry Hudson first made his historic voyage from the southern tip of Manhattan Island up the river.

Hudson was a famous explorer, determined to find a shorter route to Asia. He and his crew sailed on a ship named the Half Moon. Instead of a trade route to Asia they stumbled upon North America. During his expedition he sailed up the river that is now called the Hudson River and established a Dutch trading colony.

A replica of his ship, the Half Moon, and another replica, the Onrust stayed in my town, Newburgh, New York, for a couple of days. Did you know that onrust means wanderer in Dutch?

The Half Moon is portrayed in history books as this big majestic ship with huge white sails, but let me tell you, up close, it is quite different. The ship is colorful and pretty, but not very large. I was surprised when a crew member told me that it is only 16 feet long and that it takes 15 to 20 people to sail it. That is a lot of people to be crowded in such a small space! Also the sleeping corridors are only four feet high-I’m guessing there was a lot of head bumping.

 

The ships reminded me of a pirate ship or the ships in the movie Peter Pan. It was a really terrific experience to board and experience the Half Moon in person.

The celebration is going on all year. It began on New Year’s Day 2009 and continues throughout the summer and fall.

 

Editor’s Note: PHOTOS: (TOP) The masts and sails of the Half Moon. (BOTTOM) The Half Moon in Newburgh, NY, where it stayed overnight so people could explore its quarters. Photos courtesy Chloe Anello.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Source: Scholastic News Online

The Rockets’ Red Glare!

By  Editor Suzanne Freeman
July 4, 2009

I may need a boat to see any fireworks this Fourth of July. I’m staying on a lake in Central Texas for the summer. Normally the small towns in the two counties here compete with each other for the best holiday fireworks displays. The bad economy has put a damper on the patriotic fervor in the Texas Hill Country, this year.

In the Highland Lakes, which is about 40 miles west of Austin (the state’s capital), the problem is not just the economy though. While the cost of a community fireworks display led the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce to cancel its town’s pyrotechnics, the drought has also played a role.

Burn bans are in effect throughout Burnet and Llano counties, and yet fireworks stands are open to the public along almost every major roadway. Volunteer fire departments plan to be on alert all weekend long. (Kid Reporter Quinn Jacobson is here covering that story for The River Cities Daily Tribune, one of the local papers. More on his cool summer internship later!)

In this area of Texas, only Kingsland and Horseshoe Bay will feature community fireworks, and both of those are on the water. Kingsland, which is a small community about 50 miles west of Austin, is still holding its annual Aqua Boom fest. And just as the name suggests, it’s all about the water: boat parades and fireworks center lake.

Just try and rent a boat around here on the Fourth of July! Well, I have and it’s not happening, so me and mine will be straining our necks on very dry land for a glimpse of the rocket’s red glare!

What about you? What are you doing for the Fourth? What is your community planning (or not)? Click on the blue comment link below and tell us all about it!

Editor’s Note: PHOTO: Part of the Aqua Boom 4th of July Boat Parade in Kingsland, Texas, 2008. Photo courtesy The Picayune.

 We would like to know what you Think? dan@younghronicle.com

 Source: Scholastic News Online

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