Behind the Scenes Info on President Obama's Big Speech

Behind the Scenes Info on President Obama's Big Speech

Hey there!

I'm Kid Reporter Gopa Praturi! We're here at Wakefield High School getting ready for President Obama's big speech today. There's a lot going on, even though the speech hasn't started yet.

We're in the High School Gym right now, and there are students all over the risers along two walls. We're right behind the Press Risers, where the press is ready to broadcast this speech live on www.whitehouse.gov/live/. The High School Gym is green and white and the podium is where the basketball hoop is supposed to be. The hoop was raised to the ceiling to make room for the President to talk. The students here are mega-excited about the President coming to their school - in fact, they're applauding right now just because the lights were switched off for a second!

I was able to talk to the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, who said that President Obama had been through lots of problems as a kid. His father wasn't around much,  and his mother had a lot of trouble raising him. But he worked hard, and because of his hard work, he's now the President.

Sec. Duncan said that if all kids work their hardest, everyone will be able to succeed. Duncan also mentioned that the purpose of Mr. Obama's speech is to teach kids to go after their goals, and if they try their best, they will succeed.

Some press reporters have very creative ideas on reporting. Susan Bainbridge, a freelance photographer, brought her dog, Lightning, with her. Its amazing how well Susan and her dog can communicate and get along. I'll write more about her and Lightning later. I interviewed them for a story.

Everyone's excited and eager to hear from Mr. Obama -- and I'm apparently one of those excited kids! Remember President Obama's slogan for today: "My Education, My Future." So everyone out there who's listening to this speech, work your hardest to accomplish your goals!

—Gopa Praturi

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Gopa Praturi interviews Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, on September 8, 2009. Photo by Suzanne Freeman

President Obama Goes Back to School

Kid Reporter twitters, blogs, covers Obama speech to students today!

President Barack Obama is speaking to America’s students today at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. In his speech, the President is expected to encourage and challenge students to set and accomplish their educational goals in the years ahead.

My Editor Suzanne Freeman and I will be covering the event live. In fact, we will probably be on the train to Union Station in Washington, D.C., as you read this!

You can follow our "tweets" on twitter.com/kidspress. Or check back to this blog or the Scholastic Kids Press Corps Web site for full coverage. You can also watch it live online at www.WhiteHouse.gov.

The speech is set for 12 noon Eastern Standard Time.

Covering this speech is a great opportunity and I have worked hard to prepare for it. It will be a full and exciting day. My family and I will catch a 6 a.m. train from New Jersey to Washington, D.C.'s Union Station. I will have to wake up at 5 a.m. to get ready!

Once I board the train, I will meet my editor, who is coming on the same train from New York. We will then have a chance to review our plans for the day. On our return-trip, we will be back on the train, writing the news story and updating this blog. Be sure to follow the coverage and send in your comments!

—Gopa Praturi

PHOTO: President Barack Obama speaking at a town hall meeting. Photo: White House photo 2/9/09 by Pete Souza

Speed Interviewing at the U.S. Open

Behind the scenes at the U.S. Open's Arthur Ashe Kids Day event.

“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.

—Jacqueline Minogue

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)

SPEAK UP! To Be a Kid Reporter

Kid Reporter program is now taking applications.

If you like excitement and having new experiences, then being a Kid Reporter is the right job for you!

Being a kid reporter is a fun and challenging opportunity. As a reporter, I've had the chance to interview interesting people like Arizona Senator and presidential candidate John McCain, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and even a helicopter pilot. I have had lots of great experiences, but it has been hard work, too.

The most important thing I've learned is how to work like a real news reporter. Even though I am a kid, I was doing the exact same job as the adult reporters when I covered the presidential election. At campaign events, I stood right next to much taller reporters from newspapers and TV stations and made myself heard. Just like them, I was there to get the story.

I had to learn quickly how to ask candidates good questions at a moment’s notice. To do that, you have to be confident and prepared. Being prepared comes from doing the research and writing out your questions before the interview. You gain confidence by knowing your subject and then overcoming your fears. You have to put yourself out there and be heard. It’s a great feeling.

I learned to speak with a loud and clear voice when I interviewed. And I learned how to take good notes and write a lot! Just as important, I leaned to meet my editor’s deadlines, which often means writing a story immediately after covering an event.

If you like to write (and work under pressure!), then applying to be a kid reporter is an awesome idea.

To apply, you have to write about what’s special about where you live. When I wrote about the great state of New Mexico, I had just been to the state fair where I got my picture taken in front of chili peppers. I included the picture with my report. I think it's a good idea to be creative.

Check out the exact details on how to apply here. But hurry! Deadline is October 5!

—Jacob Schroeder

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Jacob Schroeder questions Republican presidential candidate John McCain about what was looking for in a vice presidential candidate. (Photo: Heidi Schroeder)