The New York City view of Hurricane Irene

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s evacuation plans were put in place for low-lying areas of New York City. The evacuation areas were called “Zone A” and included Coney Island in Brooklyn, parts of the Raceways in Queens, the Staten Island coast and Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan. 

A total of 370,000 New York City residents evacuated. Many evacuees went to stay with friends or family or hotels outside the danger zone.  The city also provided hurricane shelters throughout the five boroughs.

Mass transit, including subways and buses, were shut down throughout the city for more than 24 hours. 

“We hope for the best, but we prepare for the worst," said during one of his press conferences.

Both New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared states of emergency as Irene as it battered the Bahamas and continued moving toward the United States. President Obama said Irene had the makings of an "historic hurricane."

Tropical storm Irene formed on the coast of Bahamas and proceeded towards the United States. Irene accumulated power as it got closer to the United States. At one point, Irene had become a Category 3 hurricane. Irene was massive. The diameter of the storm according to NASA satellites was almost one-third the length of the whole U.S. Atlantic coast line measuring up to 700 miles wide.

As a resident of “Zone A,” I also prepared for the worst.  My parents and I packed up and took a taxi to a hotel in “Zone B” a less vulnerable part of the city.  My friend Olivia, 14 years old,  was at the same hotel as me. Olivia was with her parents and her little dog named Gracie.  I did not know what to expect from this weather event, but, It was good to spend time with friends and family during the storm.

Fortunately, by the time Irene hit New York City, it was no longer a catastrophic storm and it was downgraded to a tropical storm. 

The storm surge from the Hudson River, however, flooded parts of Manhattan, including Zones A and B. A storm surge is the rise of water that occurs as the result of a storm. Flooding in the city was about a foot deep.  

The Holland Tunnel, a highway tunnel under the Hudson River connecting the island of Manhattan with New Jersey, was closed due to flooding. Irene caused water and wind damage in New York and hundreds of thousands of people were without power.  Furthermore, the storm killed at least 15 people as it swept up the East Coast over the weekend.

—Kid Reporter Cecila Gault

Photo: A bike on the streets of New York is partially submerged by flood waters caused by Hurricane Irene. (Courtesy Cecilia Gault) 

A day in Venice

My family and I just returned from a vacation in the Italian region of Lake Garda. The trip overall was a blast, but our one-day tour of Venice was arguably the best day. 

Venice is a beautiful city in northern Italy built on an archipelago of 117 islands. It is world-famous for its scenic waterways, architecture, and art. 

We traveled by tour bus from Lake Garda to Venice before boarding a motorboat to the picturesque Piazza di San Marco. This plaza is the home of Basilica di San Marco, the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. 

I was immediately awed by the magnificent Byzantine mosaics covering the walls of the basilica. I thought, “How long would it take to make these masterpieces?!” 

When we went inside a room called “the Treasury,” we viewed golden chalices, jewels, and relics of saints. I found it ironic that most of the treasures displayed were actually stolen from Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade!

While we explored the small museum above the Treasury, I was shocked at how real the Four Horses of San Marco appeared. These bronze statues are the only existing specimens of an ancient roman quadriga, a monumental four-horse chariot.  

As our tour guide Barbara suggested, we searched for a lunch spot filled with gondoliers, the drivers of the famous gondolas, because these delis contained both inexpensive and delicious food. Our tour guide was correct, and my mouth still waters at the thought of that Venetian panini! 

We spent the last hours of our day walking through the outside markets and admiring the renowned Venetian masks, which featured crows with bells, feathered jesters, and glistening cats!

On the other hand, I was slightly disappointed that some of the stunning architecture around Venice was covered up by giant modern advertisements. At times, it hampered the splendor of the area. 

After we left the city, I realized that one cannot appreciate the unique and lively atmosphere of Venice in a day — it may take a whole lifetime!

—Kid Reporter Kevin Agostinelli

Photo: Kid Reporter Kevin Agostinelli in front of one of Venice's famous canals. (courtesy Kevin Agostinelli)

Kid Reporters experience earthquake

I was at Sunshine Academy, a summer school camp in Virginia when the earthquake struck. We were in the middle of math.

Rumble rumble went the building. Just a bit of construction, I think to myself, and I return to my math packet. A few minutes later, I hear a faint rumble again. I don’t notice. The rumbling continues, getting louder. This time, the floor is shaking slightly, and then shakes ferociously. Someone yells “EARTHQUAKE!”

My math teacher seems to not even notice, until we’re shaking so much we can barely stand. “Get under the desk!” someone else shouts. We’re so panicked that we actually obey. A minute later, it’s over. “Get in a line. I WANT A LINE!” my math teacher hollers. In my brother’s class, a lot of textbooks fell down on his head and body. Fortunately, he didn’t get hurt. The intercom above us crackles to life, to announce an evacuation of the building, where we stayed for the remainder of the day.

In my mom’s office on the 11th floor, everything was flying and everyone was panicking. What do we do? What do we do? “We run,” said my mom, and they bolted for the door. They had to sprint down 11 flights of stairs to evacuate the building since they couldn’t get into the elevator. A woman actually started praying in Spanish as they were running.

When the shaking started, my dad was in his office and he saw Secret Service running to the White House with their big guns. This sighting led to the theory that the White House was being bombed. Everyone evacuated the building, since the Department of the Treasury was right next to the White House. 

We ended up missing math, and spending the time instead running races and playing soccer on the field because it too dangerous to go back inside.

This was my first earthquake I’ve ever felt, and it’s an experience I will never forget. 

—Kid Reporter Alexandra Zhang

I myself was in Bethany Beach, Delaware at the time.  The earthquake came as a totally unexpected (and not exactly welcome) surprise, as it did for a most inhabitants of this small oceanfront town, as I found out as I conversed with some of the people on the beach.
 
Garrett Piel, a life guard who was on his chair when the earthquake occurred, commented that, “‘An earthquake’ was certainly not the first thing that came to my mind!” At first, Garrett thought that maybe a rogue wave had slammed into his chair, but when that theory was debunked, he then, like many others, turned around to see if there were some kids shaking the bottom of the stand. 

In the high-rise condos of Sea Colony that line the beach, some of the first floor inhabitants reported barely felt the earthquake at all. But on the ninth floor, where my friend Tyler and I were getting ready to head down to the beach, it would have been impossible to miss. My parents, Tyler, and I braced ourselves in doorways as the floor swayed like a boat, and the rocking chair in the sitting room pitched back and forth and the chandelier tipped dizzily to either side. 

All in all, for a few intense minutes on a sunny afternoon, an unexpected earthquake defied the commonly accepted idea that late August days are relaxing and  stress-free.

—Kid Reporter Nick Berray

Kid Reporters experience earthquake

I was at Sunshine Academy, a summer school camp in Virginia when the earthquake struck. We were in the middle of math.

Rumble rumble went the building. Just a bit of construction, I think to myself, and I return to my math packet. A few minutes later, I hear a faint rumble again. I don’t notice. The rumbling continues, getting louder. This time, the floor is shaking slightly, and then shakes ferociously. Someone yells “EARTHQUAKE!”

My math teacher seems to not even notice, until we’re shaking so much we can barely stand. “Get under the desk!” someone else shouts. We’re so panicked that we actually obey. A minute later, it’s over. “Get in a line. I WANT A LINE!” my math teacher hollers. In my brother’s class, a lot of textbooks fell down on his head and body. Fortunately, he didn’t get hurt. The intercom above us crackles to life, to announce an evacuation of the building, where we stayed for the remainder of the day.

In my mom’s office on the 11th floor, everything was flying and everyone was panicking. What do we do? What do we do? “We run,” said my mom, and they bolted for the door. They had to sprint down 11 flights of stairs to evacuate the building since they couldn’t get into the elevator. A woman actually started praying in Spanish as they were running.

When the shaking started, my dad was in his office and he saw Secret Service running to the White House with their big guns. This sighting led to the theory that the White House was being bombed. Everyone evacuated the building, since the Department of the Treasury was right next to the White House. 

We ended up missing math, and spending the time instead running races and playing soccer on the field because it too dangerous to go back inside.

This was my first earthquake I’ve ever felt, and it’s an experience I will never forget. 

—Kid Reporter Alexandra Zhang

I myself was in Bethany Beach, Delaware at the time.  The earthquake came as a totally unexpected (and not exactly welcome) surprise, as it did for a most inhabitants of this small oceanfront town, as I found out as I conversed with some of the people on the beach.
 
Garrett Piel, a life guard who was on his chair when the earthquake occurred, commented that, “‘An earthquake’ was certainly not the first thing that came to my mind!” At first, Garrett thought that maybe a rogue wave had slammed into his chair, but when that theory was debunked, he then, like many others, turned around to see if there were some kids shaking the bottom of the stand. 

In the high-rise condos of Sea Colony that line the beach, some of the first floor inhabitants reported barely felt the earthquake at all. But on the ninth floor, where my friend Tyler and I were getting ready to head down to the beach, it would have been impossible to miss. My parents, Tyler, and I braced ourselves in doorways as the floor swayed like a boat, and the rocking chair in the sitting room pitched back and forth and the chandelier tipped dizzily to either side. 

All in all, for a few intense minutes on a sunny afternoon, an unexpected earthquake defied the commonly accepted idea that late August days are relaxing and  stress-free.

—Kid Reporter Nick Berray

My 24 hours in Washington D.C.

When I received an e-mail from my editor asking for my availability for an undisclosed assignment on the 14th and 15th of July, I replied saying that I would be able to do any assignments that were necessary on those dates. Later, he revealed the assignment: I was to interview the President of the United States of America!

The morning of the interview, Topanga, the other Kid Reporter, and I (along with our parents) took a self-guided tour of the White House. I was able to see everything that I had read about or saw in pictures: the famous East Room and in it the famous picture of George Washington that Dolly Madison saved from burning in the War of 1812; Jacqueline Kennedy’s china; and the Presidential Library from the blocked off doorway to it. After the tour, my mom and I went straight to a White House gift shop nearby. We purchased a bunch of souvenirs and then rushed back to our hotel.

After confirming with one of my editors that that the interview was still on schedule, we all met up and headed to the White House. After passing through a security check, we found Lauren, a White House communications officer, along with another staff member, who escorted us to the interview. Before we went to where the interview would take place, we stopped at the Press Briefing Room. We were able to stand and get our pictures taken at the very podium that Obama stands when talking to the press! I could just imagine many of our modern Presidents standing at that very podium!

We were then led to the opposite side of the main hallway, and into the Library. I noticed that I’d seen that very same room earlier in the day; only it had been roped off to keep people from entering.

There, in the Library, we did an audio/video check with members of the production staff. Some Secret Service members were also in the room. Soon, a person came in saying that the President would be there in five minutes. The room quieted quickly and we all waited. I looked at my watch and four minutes had passed. Then, suddenly, the door banged open, and Lauren came in followed by President Obama and a Secret Serviceman. I was surprised because I expected someone to come in first announcing his arrival.

When we were done with the interview, the President told us that there was someone he would like us to meet. The door to the Library opened, and Bo, the First Dog, came running in and went straight to President Obama. Bo seemed confused and frantic at first, but then he calmed down when the President told him to lie down. We got to pet him, and then he was ushered out of the room. 

The President then told us that he had some things to give us before we left. He gave us a presidential gift bag filled with incredible things. There was a picture of Bo, a personally signed mini Constitution book, a Frisbee, a yo-yo, a Presidential Seal, and Presidential M&Ms. 

When we left the room, we were escorted down an outdoor hallway that I have seen used by many Presidents in lots of famous pictures. We then walked into an office used by the Head of the Presidential Press. 

After the interview, my mom and I went to a variety of Smithsonian museums at the National Mall. We had dinner that night at an incredible Chinese food restaurant called Meiwei. That night, we hung out in our hotel room and called family members. After that, we went to the hotel restaurant and had dessert. I went to bed exhausted. I knew that I would have to get up really early the next morning to travel home to Albuquerque.

Overall, it was an incredible experience!

Check out the Kids Press Corps interview with President Barack Obama! And for more news for kids, by kids, visit the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Jacob Schroeder

Photos: (top) Kid Reporter Jacob Schroeder at the podium in the White House Press Briefing Room, (bottom) Jacob with the contents of the White House gift bag he and Topanga received at the end of their interview. (Photos courtesy Kyle Good and Jacob Schroeder)

Interviewing the President

When my editor, Dante, sent an email informing me that I would interview the President of the United States, I was naturally excited and surprised. What an honor! My first thoughts were what questions should I ask, when would this happen, and, like every girl, what would I wear?

As the details kept coming in, I became more and more excited that this was really going to happen and the days began to feel like weeks. I just couldn’t wait!

The plane trip to Washington D.C. was amazing. When the pilot announced my arrival in Washington D.C., it all became a reality. I was in the nation’s capital, the home of the President, the home of the White House, the home of history.

The morning of the interview, I was able to tour the White House with my fellow Kid Reporter, Jacob. I remember adoring the White House Library. Little did I know that the interview would be held in that same room. Like any important day, there was a lot of preparation. Then a memorable moment happened. The President walked into the Library with a big smile and said, “Hello kids!” I was so surprised that he was right there that I gasped.

It was so funny because President Obama had mentioned how he was looking forward to this interview all day long, and I had been looking forward to the interview for weeks.

President Obama was everything I expected him to be: intelligent, well spoken, and very kind. He made every moment of the interview comfortable. It felt so good to be in front of the President and represent kids across the nation. I remember being proud to ask each and every question, especially my second question about children in my community. It felt good to be a reporter!

If I wasn’t surprised enough, President Obama surprised Jacob and me with Bo, the First Dog. Bo entered the room and I was able to pet him. It was so cool! Bo was so cute, soft, and well trained. 

Before we said goodbye, President Obama gave Jacob and me gift bags. There were several items in the gift bag, one of which was a pocketsize Constitution that he autographed with a personal message to me. When President Obama signed my pocket sized Constitution, I felt like he had known me for such a long time and he thought very highly of me. President Obama wrote, “To Topanga – Dream big dreams!”

Little did he know that I did dream big because I was standing right next to him!

Check out the Kids Press Corps interview with President Barack Obama! And for more news for kids, by kids, visit the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

 —Kid Reporter Topanga Sena

Photos: (top) Kid Reporter Topanga Sena stands at the podium in the White House Press Briefing Room, (bottom) Topanga's pocketsized Constitution signed by President Barack Obama. (Photos courtesy Topanga Sena)

Joplin still recovering after devastating tornado

Recently, my family and I took a road trip from our home in Louisiana to Buchanan, Michigan. On our way there, we passed through the small town of Joplin, Missouri. 

On May 22, the city of 48,000 was devastated by a massive tornado. It ripped through Joplin with 166-mile-per-hour winds. And when the storm ended, it left 25 percent of the town damaged in a one-mile-wide, four-miles-long path of destruction.

Months later, Joplin is still recovering. Driving through the city, my family and I saw the scale of destruction first hand. It was an unforgettable experience. While I was in the part of Joplin hit by the tornado, I felt surrounded — stuck, even — in the debris and literally broken homes. The scope of the damage is unimaginable.

Who knew a tornado like this was possible? Writing about the experience of visiting Joplin is very challenging for me. I get very emotional thinking of how a family’s whole life can change in a split second. I took photos when I was in Joplin, but no picture can capture how amazingly large this event was. Damage goes on farther than the human eye can see! There were many, many damaged homes, and I was able to walk through a few.

One house seemed to be a normal family’s home, but there was something special about it. Quite a few items remained. There was a refrigerator in the living room with items like eggs, chocolate syrup, hot sauce, and, believe it or not, an unopened six-pack of Diet Coke! These everyday items looked normal — expect they were covered in dirt and debris. Also in the kitchen, on the counter, were three tubs of peanut butter. The couches in the house were turned upside down, but shoes were completely undamaged. 

Joplin has been through more than pictures can show or words can express. Many people survived, and some people even escaped the wrath of the storm. But everyone in Joplin will always remember May 22, 2011 — the day disaster struck their town.

—Kid Reporter Tori Feaster

Photo: A truck sits upside down in a house that was destroyed by the May 22 tornado. (Courtesy Tori Feaster) 

Singing in Hogwarts

For many years, Harry Potter has been a famous and much loved wizard, even in the muggle world. This kid reporter and choirboy had a chance to visit and sing at some of the great inspirations and filming locations for the Harry Potter films and enjoy a week of fun at the world famous University of Oxford. As a member of the Georgia Boy Choir, which was the Choir-in-Residence at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford from July 18-24, I spent a week in Christ Church College studying music, the college’s fine architecture, and its rich history. The school’s alumni include 13 British Prime Ministers and leading scientists, politicians, and artists.

The GBC rehearsed for two hours and sang a 45-minute long Choral Evensong every day in the cavernous cathedral with marvelous acoustics. The echo was long and enormous, and a bit hard to deal with. “Don’t sing by what you hear but by what you see. We can then produce a fantastic sound together,” conductor David White told us.

The bulk of the service was done by the choir. It was an exhausting but rewarding experience. For around 500 years now, choirboys have stood on the exact spots, resonated their voices in the cathedral, and produced some of the best music in the world. These were high expectations to live up to, but the GBC boys seemed to find encouragement in that fact and worked to set the bar even higher. 

So what was that about Harry Potter? In the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry is shown arriving as a first year at Hogwarts and is greeted on a staircase by Professor McGonagall before being taken into the Great Hall. Inside there are four long tables for each House of students with similar personalities. The High Table at the end of the hall is for Professors and the Headmaster Dumbledore.  

First of all, the staircase where Harry is greeted filmed on 16th century stairs inside Christ Church. The Great Hall of the college was the inspiration for the Great Hall of Hogwarts and is almost identical to the one in the movies, which was a replica built in a film studio. Also, the ancient 1000-year-old cloisters of the college were ideal filming locations. One scene was when Harry Potter was shown his dad’s Quidditch trophy. 

The choir ate dinner at the Great Hall, and it was an exhilarating experience to be able to walk up the staircase and into the magnificent room. Unfortunately, the Great Hall had no floating candles, sorting hat, or magically appearing food. Every day for breakfast and dinner, the GBC members sat in one of the House tables. Since there was a change of tables daily, there were shouts of excitement about what House’s table the choir was sitting at: “We’re sitting at the Gryffindor Table! Wait, it might be the Ravenclaw table!”

Finally, on the last morning, the choirboys got what is probably the ultimate dream of a Harry Potter fan: to sit at the High Table. Where did this kid reporter sit? In groundskeeper Hagrid’s seat! It was a glorious moment, to look out and imagine seeing Dumbledore commencing a feast or Harry receiving mail from Hedwig.

Harry Potter isn’t the only piece of children’s literature associated with Christ Church. Math professor Charles Dodgson — more commonly known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll — wrote Alice in Wonderland based on the stories he told to the Dean of Christ Church’s daughter Alice. Carroll was also inspired by a painted glass panel in the Great Hall. 

So after a week in the corridors of Christ Church, rehearsing before concerts, telling people about the mission of the choir, and singing at their best, the Georgia Boy Choir, came to know the Evensong program well and did it brilliantly. Spirits were high whether it was time to play cricket on the Christ Church Meadows or to perform an Anglican chant under candlelight in a church. One of the tour guides at the beginning of the week said, “Singing at Oxford has been a long tradition and it is an honor. Value your time here and do well, and I hope it is a wonderful experience.”

And the boys can be proud to say they did just that.

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

Photo: Kid Reporter Andrew Liang at Christ Church, Oxford. (Courtesy Andrew Liang)