On the Orange Carpet!

Kid Reporter Miranda Rector covers the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

The Kid's Choice Awards can be described in three ways:  extreme, slime-filled, and orange! Although there's no green slime on the celebrity-filled orange carpet, the anticipation of slime and energy is high! It's also really LOUD!

Getting the chance to join the orange carpet frenzy was exciting beyond belief. I was super pumped and peppy.

A lot of covering a red—or in this case orange—carpet event is shouting things like "FRED! FRED! LUCAS! LUCAS! LUCAS! FRED! TAYLOR! TAYLOR! TAYLOR!" to get the celebrity's attention. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but you can't be disappointed when they rush on by you. Look for the next one and keep on shouting!

Sometimes, to make life a little easier, the publicists come by first to arrange interviews with you. Mostly, though the celebrities see who you are and come to you on their own. I found out that most of them love Scholastic and the Kid Reporters, so if they saw me standing there in my red shirt, microphone in hand, they stopped to talk. That was really awesome and cool!

The biggest star I met was Selena Gomez, who was attending her first ever Nick Kids' Choice Awards show. She was tremendously nice and seemed to be really happy. Even though Wizards of Waverly Place didn't win Favorite TV Show, Selena Gomez took home her first blimp for Favorite TV Actress. After my interview with her, I can only bet Selena Gomez felt really happy inside.

I also met Jennette McCurdy from iCarly. I am a HUGE fan! She was pumped and totally excited, especially to see Apollo Anton Ohno and Shaun White. She wore a green BCBG dress to "respect the slime," she told me. She was hoping to be green and goopy by the end of the show, but sadly missed out on the ritual sliming. I was kind of glad just because I thought her dress was too cute to be slimed.

McCurdy also told me she was disappointed that Harry Potter was not nominated this year. As a self-described "Potterhead" I totally related to that sentiment. I'm also a fan of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, so I'm still glad that it won Favorite Book.

For years I have been staying up watching the Kids' Choice Awards on TV. I never expected to one day be part of the orange carpet. It was mind-blowing!

Did you watch? What did you think? Did your favorites win? Send in your opinions in the comment box below.

—Miranda Rector

Go Green Lights!

Change a light, change the world with CFL.

My family decided to go green. We took out all of our incandescent light bulbs and replaced them with Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)—every bulb in the house!

Because we did that we are saving money, but more importantly we are helping save the planet.

CFLs are four times more efficient then normal bulbs and last 10 times longer, according to energystar.gov. If everyone in the U.S. started using CFLs we could retire 90 average power plants, according to the web site, which is a joint site with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The site has lots of cool ways to save energy in your home!

According to energystar.gov's statistics, if everyone in the U.S. started using CFLs we could save enough energy to light 3 million houses for a year. It would also prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas from being released into the environment each year. That's the equivalent of the emissions from about 800,000 automobiles.

CFL lights cost more then normal light bulbs, but they last longer. That's why my family decided to go green by replacing all our bulbs with more energy efficient CFLs!

What is your family doing to go green for Earth Day? What about your school? Send us your stories and tips on how to help save the planet. Use the comment box below!

—Alysa Goethe

PHOTO: Alysa Goethe holds an incandescent bulb (round) in her right hand and a CFL (curly) in her left . (Photo Courtesy Alysa Goethe)

Turn Off Lights To Shine

Phoenix elementary reads by the light of the sun.

Kyrene De La Estrella, a public elementary school in Phoenix, Arizona, is doing its part in helping the planet, by holding a Lights Out Week the week of Earth Day, which is on April 22.

Kyrene de la Estrella will use only its skylights for the entire week. The only exceptions will be if a classroom’s skylights won't open and can't be fixed. Turning off the lights not only helps the planet, it helps the school save money by using less electricity.

You don’t need to turn off ALL your lights to help the Earth. Turning off only a couple of lights in the lunch room also helps, Principal Dr. Jeff Williamson told me. He said Estralla turned off just a few lunch room lights and the students didn't even notice. I certainly didn't and I eat there every day!

Estrella teachers and students are also limiting their use of paper. More than 30 million trees are cut down each year to publish books in the United States, according to eco.libris.com, a group that asks people to plant a tree for every book they read.

My school saves plenty of trees a year. All of the schools from the Kyrene District are having a contest to see who can recycle more during the week of Earth Day. Estrella happens to recycle every day, but contests are always fun!

“I think that the recycling contest is a really good idea," said one student from my school. " Instead of throwing away all of the paper [used during the day] you can reuse it.”

The winner gets a tree planted in front of the school, where all of the other competitors will see it, and sigh wistfully.

Some people think that helping the planet takes too much effort, but a fellow fifth grader disagrees.

“[Helping the planet] doesn’t take much effort," she said. "Because little things make big changes.”

By helping the planet, a lot of schools’ students will be working together for a common cause—to help the planet. That’s what Earth Day is all about! What's going on for Earth Day at your school? Use the comment box below to send your stories and tips!

—Maya Williams

PHOTO: A student at Estrella Elementary in Phoenix, Arizona, reads by the light of the sun. All lights are off at Estralla for the week of Earth Day, April 22, 2010. (Photo Courtesy Maya Williams)

Make Earth Day a Tradition

What is your family, classroom, school doing to help the Earth? Let us know!

When you’re in a brand new school, you get a chance to make traditions that continue for decades to come. That’s exactly what kids at Severance Middle School (SMS) in Coloardo are doing, building Earth Day traditions for future students.

Kids at SMS are doing something simple, yet amazing. They are celebrating Earth Day by forming a gardening and a recycling group. Both groups are only two meetings into their new projects, but they are already working hard to achieve their goals.

“We just had an announcement on the intercom about recycling,” Austin Ferrell, 14, told me.

Daniel Vargas, 13, explained how they built recycling bins for the school from discarded cardboard.

“We had to get cardboard out of the dumpster," he said.

When I went to talk to the gardening group, I was amazed to see the number of students involved. They met in the gym in multiple groups. Then we all went outside into the freezing wind to scout out places to plant gardens and trees.

I asked Connor Lowndes, 13, if he knew what they were planting yet.

“I know we’re planting trees that will grow well with not a lot of water," he said.  "They need to grow over the summer when we’re not here.”

I also talked to Principal Jay Tapia about his opinion of Earth Day.

“It’s an opportunity to teach people about the importance of the environment,” he said. “It’s just a great time to celebrate all of the natural resources that we have and the beauty of the Earth.” 

What is your family, class, or school doing for Earth Day? Use the comment section below to send us your Earth Day stories or tips!

—Topanga McBride

PHOTO: From left, Noah Landis, Tucker Wright, Tiger Browder, and Daniel Kraus show off their recycling signs for a school project. (Photo Courtesy Topanga McBride)

The Grimke Sisters, Female Abolitionists

Kid Reporter inspired by historic figures' fight for equality.

When I first read about the Grimke Sisters, I was inspired by them. Even though they were white, southern, aristocratic women, they stood up for the abolition of slavery and women’s rights.

As I read about them for a school report, I found that it was the best research project I’ve ever done. They were absolutely fascinating and talented people.

Sarah Grimke (1792-1873) and Angelina Grimke (1805-1879) were born and raised in conservative Charleston, South Carolina. They’re father was a wealthy judge and slave owner who kept to the common beliefs of the South.

The Grimke sisters often felt that they were being treated unfairly since they were not given the same level of education as their brothers. They were also able to see how cruelly slaves were being treated. For both reasons, Sarah and Angelina Grimke felt the need to do something to make things better. 

Angelina became the first woman to ever speak in front of a legislature. She spoke before the Massachusetts legislature against slavery and for women's equality. Both spoke publicly about their beliefs and were eventually forced to move from their southern community to the north. Their call for equal education opportunities and the right to vote for women was taken up by the women's movement.

I find it amazing how, through the power of their words, the Grimke Sisters were able to bring people together in a battle for freedom and equality. As a writer, this is one of my goals, which I truly believe I can achieve.

Equality is also an important issue to me, and it’s great hearing about women who for for multiple aspects of it. Who are some of the women you learned about and admire for Women's HIstory Month?

—Miranda Rector

On the Road to the Final Four

NCAA Sweet 16 teams named; games begin Thursday!

Who knew? Who knew Cornell would be in the Sweet 16, while the Number 1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks would fail to win their second round game?

Who knew that Northern Iowa, the defeaters of Kansas, would advance to a round in which the higher ranked Georgetown and Pittsburgh teams could not?

Who knew that St. Mary’s, fresh off a first round upset of Richmond, could carry their momentum into a shocking victory against Villanova?

I sure didn’t. In fact, no one did! How could they?

Most of the brackets filled out by Americans—mine included—should be shredded, because at this point, most are just all plain wrong. That’s the charm of March Madness however—all the “who knews?” That right there is why annual NCAA men's basketball tournament is and deserves to be so popular—because everyone wants to see a Washington, or a Murray St., pull off those upsets. Everyone has a chance at the big time. And if someone told you coming in to this tournament that they had Northern Iowa and Cornell in the Sweet 16 ahead of Kansas and Wisconsin, then they are lying!

As we look ahead toward this weekend’s games in the Sweet 16, we can expect some great match-ups.

Look for Northern Iowa to carry the momentum of that improbable victory against Kansas into their game versus Michigan State.

Also, look for Butler to put up a fight against top ranked Syracuse.

However, the magical run for Cornell will likely end when they are pitted against heavily favored Kentucky, now ranked number one after Kansas was knocked out. The Wildcats are just better in every way.

But don’t be surprised if St. Mary’s makes a run at Baylor.

While watching these weekend games, keep thinking, what will the next great upset be, and who will that team be? What do you think is going to happen this weekend?

Click on “comment” in blue below and let me know!

—Sean Coffey

IMAGE: Final Four logo from the NCAA web site.

Young Helper for Health Care Bill

How an 11-year-old became an advocate for the new health care bill.

When I interviewed 11-year-old Marcelas Owens today, I wondered what it was like to be standing next to the President of the United States at the White House, when he signed the historic health care bill. Marcelas seemed so calm as he stood there while history was being made. I asked him what he noticed as it was happening.

“Well he used 22 pens to sign the bill, and I also noticed that he was good with people,” said the young man from Seattle, Washington. He added that he was really excited to be there and to meet the President.

Marcelas has been traveling the country to help promote passage of the health care bill. He talks about how his mother died because she did not have access to health care. I asked Marcelas what was one of the most important things his mother taught him and he said, “To never give up.” That’s a very good lesson I’d say.

I also was curious how Marcelas got involved with traveling and telling his family’s story. He said he approached an organization called Washington Community Action Network and asked if he could get involved. They helped him set up public speeches and interviews. Marcelas’ mom was an advocate for health reform and Marcelas wanted to carry on her work.

To me, Marcelas seems very much like his own description of Obama. I asked him what Obama was like, now that he has gotten to know him.

“He’s sets his mind to something and then he works on it until he gets it,” Marcelas said. “He worked really hard for health care.”

What would Marcelas like to tell other kids who went through what he did? “That they can turn it into something good and try to help other people not go through that,” he said.

I told Marcelas that I thought his mother would be very proud of him right now and he said, “Thank you.”

I’m proud of him, too. It takes a lot of courage to do what Marcelas Owens has done!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Marcelas Owens at President Obama’s side as the President signs the health care bill into law. (Photo Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images/NewsCom)

Why I Like Oprah

Kid Reporter celebrates her Women’s History Month hero

Is it possible to have a troubled childhood and overcome it to become one of the most powerful women in the world? Oprah Winfrey did just that. While many people use their past as an excuse for their failure in the present, Oprah Winfrey used her hardships to energize her and motivate her to succeed.

As a Kid Reporter, I have found great inspiration in Ms. Winfrey because she is a successful journalist. That’s why I am celebrating her accomplishments for Women’s’ History Month.

Today, she is considered one of the most famous woman in the world. In the beginning, however, it was not an easy journey.

Life for Ms. Winfrey was difficult when she was young. She spent her first six years with her grandmother on a farm in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She moved to Wisconsin with her mother where she was abused. She ran away from home and at age 13 was sent to a juvenile detention center. With no beds available there, she was sent to Nashville to live with her father. He was very strict, but instilled in her the love of reading and learning.

Ms. Winfrey managed to navigate her way to her goals and began her broadcasting career when she was only 17. She studied speech and communications at Tennessee State University. Before the Oprah Winfrey Show was launched, she was a news anchor and hosted a successful local talk show in Chicago, now her home.

Achieving her goals wasn’t enough for Oprah. She also wanted to help others achieve their own dreams. She decided to inspire other people to do their best in life and always brings experts on her show to help people learn.

Ms. Winfrey has earned numerous awards for her amazing work. Time Magazine named her one of the most influential people of the 20th century. Her Angel Network helps people in need and she opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa so that they can have great opportunities as well.

Ms. Winfrey doesn’t just complain about what is wrong—she finds a way to make improvements and inspires others to do the same.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from,” Ms. Winfrey says. “The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.”

That’s why I am celebrating Oprah Winfrey for Women’s History Month this March. Who do you look to for inspiration? Click on the blue comment below and let us know!

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTO: Oprah Winfrey (center) celebrates the opening of her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. (Photo Credit: Jerome Delay/AP Images)

How to Build Schools in Afghanistan

One penny at a time, says Greg Mortenson.

Dr. Greg Mortenson went on a journey to climb K2, the second highest mountain peak in the world. Instead he climbed a much bigger mountain—illiteracy.

Known as Dr. Greg, this Nobel Peace Prize Nominee is also author of several books, including Three Cups of Tea and One Man's Journey to Change the World...One Child at a Time.

Recently he met with more than 600 Girls Scouts—including me—from San Jacinto Council in Houston, Texas. We gathered in the gymnasium at the AWTY International School to learn about Dr. Greg’s fight to build schools for girls in Afghanistan.

In 1993, during his trip to climb K2, Dr. Greg got lost and ended up in the village of Korphe. After breakfast one day, he saw 82 children—78 boy and 4 girls—writing with sticks on the ground. They did not have a teacher. The village couldn’t afford the $1 a day salary.

"Can you imagine a fourth grade class in America, alone, without a teacher, sitting quietly and working on their lessons?" Dr. Greg asked.

Over the next 17 years, Dr. Greg built 131 schools in the remote mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan. His program runs more than 200 schools in the area.

“I realized that education is the top global priority in the world, especially educating girls,” he said. “I also realize that anybody, no matter who you are, can make a difference."

Dr. Greg and his organizations, Pennies for Peace and Central Asia Institute, have made a difference for thousands of children. “We have found that the best support that we get is from the kids,” Dr. Greg said.

Currently some 4,000 schools are helping by just collecting pennies. Pennies for Peace is a service-learning program which started with children from Westside Elementary School in River Falls, Wisconsin. They collected 62,345 pennies for Dr. Greg’s first school.

What can a penny buy? In Pakistan and Afghanistan a penny can buy a pencil, two pennies an eraser, and 60,000 pennies is a teacher's salary for an entire year!

At the end of the talk, Dr. Greg challenged each of us to make a difference. I know I can. What about you?

—Erin Sheena

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Erin Sheena with Dr. Greg Mortenson in Houston, Texas. (Photo Courtesy Erin Sheena)

Behind Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Actors, Author talk to Scholastic Kid Reporter

Diary of a Wimpy Kid the movie opens in theaters nationwide on Friday. On a rainy Monday in New York, author Jeff Kinney and the main actors of the movie, Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron, held a press day to talk to reporters—including this one!

I had a couple of fun questions for the actors. For instance, I wanted to know if any of them were wimpy when they were in middle school.

“Well, I’m not really a wimpy kid,” said Gordan, who plays the lead character. “Although, I’m small and thin like Greg.”

Author Jeff Kinney had some advice for kids who experience bullying in school.

“I think that they should tell adults about the bullying,” Kinney said. Bullying is one of many main parts of the book and movie. It’s also a big issue in middle school. Don’t feel bad about telling, says Kinney. It’s important to get help.

I had heard a rumor that originally the Wimpy books were intended for adults, so I asked Kinney about that.

“I really had meant for these books to be for adults, kind of looking back on their own childhood,” he said.

His ultimate goal of writing/drawing a funny book was realized either way.

“I wanted to write a story about all of the funny parts of growing up, and none of the serious parts,” he said. “I decided to write a book about what it’s really like to be a kid, or at least what it was like for me.”

The actors and author all told me that they learned something while making this bestselling book into a movie. Gordon says he’s learned that you need to treat people how you want to be treated. Good lesson to know!

“I learned that storytelling in movies is really different from storytelling in books,” Kinney said.

Certainly turning a cross between a comic book and a novel into a live-action movie must have been a challenge. It’s certainly a challenge he and director Thor Freudenthal met. I saw the movie this week before it opened and it’s terrific!

—Christopher Campbell

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Christopher Campbell (from left) with the stars of Diary of a Wimpy Kid Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron and the author of the book, Jeff Kinney. (Photo courtesy Christopher Campbell)