Scholastic Kids Press Announces 50 Kid Reporters to Cover “News for Kids, by Kids” During 20th Anniversary Year

Contact: Brittany Sullivan, bsullivan@scholastic.com, 212-343-4848

The Award-Winning Program Unveils a Brand-New Name and Look

New York, NY – September 26, 2019 – Since 2000, more than 400 Kid Reporters ages 10–14 have covered “news for kids, by kids” as part of the award-winning Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. Today, in celebration of the program’s 20th anniversary, Scholastic has revealed a new name and look for the team of young journalists—Scholastic Kids Press. This special anniversary year, 50 new and returning Kid Reporters have been selected to share stories from around the world with a focus on the critical topics and issues that matter most to young people. They represent 21 states in the United States and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, in addition to countries around the world. 

Learn more and meet the full team of 2019–2020 Scholastic Kid Reporters: 
http://www.scholastic.com/kidspress.

As they work closely with an editor throughout the school year, Kid Reporters receive valuable, hands-on journalism experience pitching stories and doing interviews. They build confidence and sharpen their communication and critical-thinking skills as they cover current events, breaking news, entertainment, sports, and more in their hometowns and on the national stage. All original Kid Reporter stories are published on the Scholastic Kids Press website as well as in select issues of Scholastic Classroom Magazines, which reach more than 25 million students in classrooms nationwide.

Scholastic Kid Reporters have reported on national and global moments since the program’s inception, covering five United States presidential elections, as well as other history-making events such as the Olympics, Tony Awards, and National Book Awards. Past Kid Reporters have also made headlines interviewing influential figures who are leaders in their fields, including Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, conservationist Jane Goodall, The Daily Show host Trevor Noah, civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, Captain Underpants and Dog Man creator Dav Pilkey, author and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jacqueline Woodson, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Quotes About Scholastic Kids Press: 

  • Suzanne McCabe, Editor of Scholastic Kids Press: “Celebrating 20 years of student journalism is so rewarding for us. Since its beginning, Scholastic Kids Press has educated students about the world by giving kids the opportunity to report on news that matters to them. We’re dedicated to giving young people a voice, and the best way to do that is to continue our commitment to student reporters who are helping their peers become informed citizens of the world.”
  • Marley I. Alburez, age 13, Kid Reporter: “Being a Kid Reporter is an exciting job where I can explore writing and reporting. It’s also an opportunity to learn from inspiring people and the world around me. I think it’s important to be aware of what is happening in the world…Listening to or reading about current events can help your geography skills, improve your vocabulary, and open your eyes to the struggles and conflicts other people’s experience. But you can also be inspired by the kindness and perseverance of other people around the world.”
  • Nolan Pastore, age 13, Kid Reporter: “As a Scholastic Kid Reporter, I have the opportunity to explore journalism as a potential career while I am still a student. The program has enabled me to get a sneak peek at what a journalist does from day to day, and for that, I am extremely thankful.”

The 2019–2020 U.S. Scholastic Kid Reporters:
*Indicates new Kid Reporter

California
Alula Alderson – Ojai
Johnny Chen – Torrance*
Jaxon Jones – Truckee
Annika Petras – Irvine
Ella Porter – La Selva Beach
Munveer Singh – Menlo Park* 

Delaware
Sophia Emma Wolff – Wilmington*

Florida
Iniyah Jones – Fort Lauderdale* 
Andrew Raymundo – Celebration 

Georgia
Bryce Jones – Woodstock*

Hawaii
Lucia Dong – Honolulu*

Illinois
Ava-Kelly Gray – Chicago 

Kentucky 
Leo Sebastian Tobbe – Louisville 

Louisiana
Zhorie'l Tapo – Lafayette*

Massachusetts 
Claire Olivia Handler – Arlington*

Maryland 
Grace Denny – Kensington 

Michigan
Titus Smith III – Southfield 

North Carolina
Teresa Fang – Chapel Hill 
Tony J. Smith II – Durham*

New Jersey
Bobby Liberatos – Kenilworth*
Gavin Naar – West Orange*
Ava Park-Matt – Hoboken 
Josh Stiefel – Teaneck 
Liset Zacker – South Orange  

New York
Marley I. Alburez – New York 
Maya Mukherji – New York
Siroos Pasdar – New York*
Amelia Poor – Brooklyn 
Konrad Paul Schwarz – Oyster Bay

Ohio
Nolan Pastore – Hartville

Tennessee
Aanya Kabra – Memphis 

Texas
Truman J. Hamade – Cedar Park
Benjamin Who – Sugar Land 

Virginia
Sidonie Louise Gillette – Arlington 
Laura Zhang – Vienna*

Washington
Zoe Adele Mirchandani – Seattle*

Wisconsin
Kennedy Phifer – Glendale*

Wyoming 
Luis Reyes – Cheyenne*

Puerto Rico 
Amanda Erbe – Guaynabo*

2019–2020 International Kid Reporters:

Asia
Colin Adrien Co Roxas-Chua – Quezon City*
Brian K.L. Kan – Hong Kong*
Lai Qi Xuan – Singapore *
Gemmy Somboontham – Chiang Mai*
Victoria Tang – Shanghai*
John Woo – Seoul

Brazil
Sophia Dal Magro Leite – Brasilia*

Canada
Marigold Grace Mioc – Calgary*
Nikita Mohile – Uxbridge 

Czech Republic (Czechia)
Rade Meech-Tatic – Prague 

New Zealand 
Hinekerangi Waaka – Waikuku Beach*

For more information about Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), visit the Company’s media room: //mediaroom.scholastic.com.

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