Indianapolis joins the fight against breast cancer

I was lucky enough to attend a splendid event put on by Komen Indy called The Pink Tie Ball last weekend. The event consisted of everything from amazing speeches by sponsors and survivors to an amazing selection of silent auction items.

After dinner, all of the breast cancer survivors in the audience stood up to dance around the Scottish Rite Cathedral Ballroom to the song “I Will Survive.” It was one of the most emotional parts of the evening.

Indianapolis Colts Center Jeff Saturday and his wife, Karen, have been very active in the Komen Foundation and Breast Cancer initiatives ever since 2004.

A good friend of the Saturdays and a partner with Komen Indiana, Pam Miltner, an 18-year breast cancer survivor, was also present. She explained the importance of breast cancer and how it has affected family and friends.

“Knowing that the money that you donate, 75 percent stays local and 25 percent goes to national for research,” stated Pam Miltner. “So 100 percent of the money you give to the Susan G. Komen Foundation goes to help people.”

Another great event that also took place that same weekend was Hello Gorgeous. Hello Gorgeous is a non-profit organization that helps women going through cancer treatments feel “gorgeous.” They do this by surprising the woman and taking her to salon that is taking part in it to get a makeover. The makeover includes a facial, manicure, pedicure, makeup, and a new outfit.

This time, Lisa Tolliver, who is battling breast cancer, was surprised at the University Park Mall by the Hello Gorgeous crew from Bangs Salon & Spa, where she received her makeover. She traveled in style in a Hummer Limo to Bangs. Lisa would also be celebrating her 50th birthday the next day.

My aunt Sarah (an employee at Bangs) got me involved in this program and gave me the privilege to be a part of the makeover.

Check to see if Hello Gorgeous has any salons in your area involved in the program, and don’t hesitate to nominate someone you know!

Breast cancer is so very important to me because my grandmother, Sally, battled breast cancer and was a five-year survivor. Unfortunately she is now is going through another painful battle with breast cancer.

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photo: Lisa Tolliver smiles as the Hello Gorgeous crew takes her to a surprise makeover at the University Park Mall in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo courtesy Grace Ybarra)

My Experience at Skywalker Ranch

I was overjoyed when I heard that I would be going back to Skywalker Ranch for the second time. After my first visit, I never thought I would see the beautiful Marin County workplace of George Lucas again. Thankfully, my first assignment from Scholastic was to cover a press junket, or promotional trip, for Star Wars:  Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace in 3D. Skywalker Ranch was similar to a resort with an outdoor swimming pool, racquet courts, a baseball diamond, barns, a main house, a man-made lake (named Ewok), a vineyard and much more. It was quite overwhelming, even going for a second time.

Once I arrived at Skywalker Ranch, the shuttle headed towards the technical building, the home of the Stag Theater and Skywalker Sound. I was then greeted by eager Lucasfilm staff that led me through a grand cafeteria/lobby that was filled with parents and their kids running around with their lightsabers and adults carrying heavy camera equipment. On one side were mannequins dressed with the costumes of Queen Amidala, one of her handmaidens, Darth Maul, and Mace Windu. There were also lightsabers and statues of R2D2 and C3PO on display.  A KINECT Star Wars demonstration was also going on in the lobby. The roof was a skylight and I was lucky to have come on a beautiful sunny day. 

After eating a cute Star Wars-themed breakfast, the reporters and journalists set off with groups to certain areas of the building to hear Matthew Wood, John Goodson, ObiShawn, or Joel Aron speak about what they do. Once the tours were over, the press people dispersed to have one-on-one time with the tech crew of the movie. 

The rooms where each demonstration/interview were held had its own pinch of awe. I visited the Stag Theater, a sound editing room, where they mix the score, voice-recordings, and sound effects, which amazingly connects to a cozy foyer leading to the vineyards. 

After all the hard work was done, I bought souvenirs from the Skywalker Ranch gift shop, which was overlooking Ewok Lake and surrounded by the pool and recreational areas. The weather was spectacular for January and I thought it would be a perfect photo op, especially with the main house in the background. 

It was a fantastic way to end the day, and I wished Skywalker Ranch farewell, with hopes to see it again soon.

Check out my video reports from the Episode I press junket on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Veronica Louise Mendoza

Photo: Kid Reporter Veronica Louise Mendoza and other kid journalists get trained on how to use a lightsaber by Jedi Master ObiShawn. (Photo courtesy Veronica Louise Mendoza) 

Spider-Man webslings his way back to the big screen

There have already been three Spider-Man movies. But this summer, a new Spider-Man movie comes to theaters to reboot the series. The Amazing Spider-Man will completely clear the slate and feature a new cast, a new director, and some new characters.

The movie comes out this summer, but on Monday Spidey fans all over the globe joined actors from the film for a special sneak peek. I was in the audience for the New York event — and so was the new Spider-Man himself, Andrew Garfield.

The last Spider-Man movie was released in 2007. So of course a lot of Spidey fans — both at the theater and around the world — wonder why reboot the series? Is it a sensible move? Will it be different, and, if so, in a good way or bad? And, are the new cast and director right for the job?

During the 3-D trailer and clips of the work in progress, it seemed like everyone was excited by what they saw. This included Garfield. As he arrived at the front of the theater, the room applauded with pure excitement, and one man shouted "Hallelujah!" 

"You said exactly what was on my mind," Garfield responded.

Garfield’s excitement and appreciation for his role was expressed even later on when asked why he wanted to be Spider-Mman.

"Because I’m not an idiot," Garfield said as the crowd cheered. "It’s the thing everyone wants. Everybody in this room wants it, and it belongs to everyone in this room."

From what I could tell, there was much excitement and anticipation. As fans left the theater, I could overhear comments about how they thought Garfield’s Spiderman appears to have a more humorous element. They were also impressed with the film’s 3-D.

The new Spider-Man is not meant to compete with the older movies. Instead, it’s meant to take one of the greatest comic book superheroes of all time and put him in a scenario that has not yet been explored.

"It’s so overwhelming to represent this symbol, because that’s all I am, just the guy in the suit, it can be anyone in the suit,"  Garfield said. "But it just happens to be me this time."

—Kid Reporter Fred Hechinger

Photo: Andrew Garfield stars as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Columbia Pictures' The Amazing Spider-Man. (Photo: Jaimie Trueblood © 2011 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Election 2012: Ron Paul to Northern Nevadans: "Restore America Now"

On Thursday, presidential candidate Ron Paul was in Reno, Nevada, to talk to voters ahead of the Nevada caucus.

"It looks like the revolution is alive and well," Paul said upon seeing the crowd. "And guess what? We have a lot of people here who really like freedom. And to me, well, that’s what it’s all about. It’s understanding what liberty means and why it’s an individual matter. It’s not a group matter, it’s not a collective issue, it’s an individual issue. And we have to understand that liberty comes to us in a natural or God-given way, and each and every one of us gets to use our liberty as we see fit. That’s what’s so wonderful about it."

Paul shared his views of idealism in our country today.

"They say you’re an idealist, you have to compromise in order to get along," Paul told his supporters. "And you know, I think compromising is sort of like selling-out. But in the last hundred years, I’d say we’ve gone in the wrong directions, we gradually have had our freedoms eroded, we’ve adopted a foreign policy... of military intervention in other countries for not many good reasons at all. Well, I think we need to change our foreign policy and bring our troops home!"

Paul elaborated on his thoughts about America's foreign policy. As President, he said, he would alter how the country decides to go to war.

"We would only go to war if the war is declared, if we have to fight it, fight it, win it, and get them over with."

Reno residend Angelina Liguori was one of the people at the event.

"Paul covered all of the points and had good monetary policies," Liguori told the Kids Press Corps. "It was good he came to Nevada because we are a state that values our liberty."

Heidi Kiene is a long-time Paul supporter and was also at the campaign stop. She said that Ron Paul appeals to her because of his consistency.

"I have been listening to Ron Paul for about 30 years and nothing he says has changed," Kiene said. "He sees the big picture of liberty, prosperity, and peace. He is empowering us to work together and not vote for a king."

—Kid Reporter Cheyenne Ruiz

Super Bowl XLVI: Transmissions from Radio Row

Aside from the press conferences I attended on Thursday, I also got to experience Radio Row. Radio Row is the central hub for radio stations and television networks to broadcast from one area during Super Bowl week. It is really dazzling to see! This was the first year that the NFL (National Football League) opened portions of Radio Row to the public. 

There were many important people wandering around Radio Row. I got to interview Don Crisman, a huge Patriot fan that has been to every Super Bowl since the beginning (even before it was called the Super Bowl). Don is also part of the “Never Miss a Super Bowl Club” as seen in the Visa commercials that aired last year.

He explained the difficulties of finding tickets over the years and even his favorite moments.

“Well, actually the first 15 years was kind of easy,” Crisman said. “Then it became difficult and we got scalped a few times and paid double and triple the face [value]. Then they wrote a story in the Super Bowl XXXIII program about guys who had never missed [a Super Bowl] and since then the NFL provides seats we can buy and we can sit together.”

I also had an interview with Super Bowl champion and former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens Brian Billick. We talked about how opinions change from when you are a coach to being part of the media. He also talked about his favorite Super Bowl memory.

“I was really lucky in our Super Bowl [XXXV],” Billick said. “We kind of had control of the game in the fourth quarter, against the New York Giants, so it kind of nice to know the game was sewed up. You could kind of sit back and take it all in. Because we had the game in hand early, it was kind of fun.”

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photo: Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra with Don Crisman at Radio Row. (Photo courtesy Grace Ybarra) 

Super Bowl XLVI: Milk and Madonna!

On Thursday, I attended a press conference for the “Got Milk?” campaign. There, former Super Bowl champion and retired NFL quarterback Kurt Warner was the host. Warner unveiled the new advertisement for “Got Milk?” during the press conference. The ad was a poster of Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker and Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks each pouring a jug of milk into a bowl of cereal wearing the classic “milkstache.” 

Kurt Warner is the father of seven children, so he finds it extremely important that kids drink milk. At the grocery store, Kurt was given the nickname “Milk Man” because he buys around 9 jugs of milk for his family each week. He talked about his involvement with the “Got Milk?” campaign over the years.

“I’d seen all the pictures. Been through a bunch of magazines where all the individuals had their milk mustaches and thought that would be so cool to be part of that,” Warner said. “I got involved way back in 1999 in my first Super Bowl. And then I was fortunate when I went to the Super Bowl just a few years ago, they asked me to be part of it again. So I’ve been involved a couple of times and enjoyed the process.”

Later in the day, I attended a press conference for Madonna. Madonna will be performing at the Super Bowl for the Bridgestone Halftime Performance. She answered questions in front of hundreds of media members eager to hear what the pop star had to say. I was one of the fortunate 18 reporters that had the opportunity to ask Madonna not just one, but TWO questions. 

“What is the craziest thing that you have seen in Indianapolis?” I asked.

The Material Girl, after a thoughtful pause, replied with, “Me!”

After a few chuckles, she gave me another chance at asking her a different question because she felt her answer wasn’t sufficient. On my second question I asked her what she planned on doing in Indy. Madonna said that her kids really looked forward to going to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, which she had heard was great!

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photo: (left) Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra with Super Bowl champion quarterback Kurt Warner and (right) Madonna at her Super Bowl XLVI press conference. (Photos courtesty Grace Ybarra)

Super Bowl XLVI: The Media Day media circus

Covering Super Bowl Media Day is an intense experience! Players and coaches from both Super Bowl teams are there, waiting to be interviewed. The field is full of reporters and other members of the media. There are people watching from the stands. And then there are some really crazy people!

I got the full Media Day experience yesterday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This is where the New England Patriots and New York Giants will meet for Super Bowl XLVI (46) on Sunday. But first they met the media — including this Kid Reporter.

Besides interviewing members of the Patriots and Giants, I talked to other NFL players who were there as part of the media. Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars was working for Chad Ochocinco's Network (OCNN.) Brett Keisel of the Pittsburgh Steelers was working with Head and Shoulders Shampoo for the day. Pierre Garcon of the Indianapolis Colts was working for a local news station.

Along with these players-turned-journalists were many spectacular reporters. Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was in attendance working for NFL Network. Peter King, renowned writer for Sports Illustrated and reporter on NBC Football Night in America, was also at Media Day. They both had tips for up-and-coming reporters. 

"If you want to be successful read books. I got to where I am by reading," said Peter King.

"Say what you feel and feel what you say," Sanders added. "Always think about where you are going (with your questions), but always listen. Because it may take you somewhere totally different in your next question."

Lindsay Soto of NFL Network also gave some advise on becoming a reporter.

"Write a lot. Pay attention in English classes," Soto said. "There is a lot more writing in this business than you think going in. Read everything you can."

This was all great, but I experienced the less serious side of Media Day, too! The crazy side of Media Day consists of people in absurd clothing and colorful personalities asking silly questions. Los Angeles radio personality Vic "The Brick" Jacobs was promoting "the Year of the Dragon" with his festive Chinese clothing and a yellow dragon hanging around his neck. "Pickboy" from Nickelodeon was also at Media Day enjoying himself and with talking with the NFL players and other media. There were other "reporters" that asked players to wear funny hats or answer very odd questions.

The Super Bowl Media Day is a whirlwind event. There are so many different conversations, questions, stories, and personalities on hand, it is easy to see how Media Day has become so popular.

Check out my interviews with players and coaches from the Patriots and the Giants on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photos: (top) Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra interviews Vic "The Brick" Jacobs, (bottom) Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra talks with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel. (Photos courtesy Grace Ybarra)