The Long Road to Recovery

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, there is a lot to be done.

When the devastating superstorm hit the northeastern United States three weeks ago, it left behind massive and catastrophic damage. New York and New Jersey got the worst of Sandy.  More than 40 people died, millions were without power, thousands of homes were damages or destroyed, and it will cost tens of billions of dollars to rebuild and recover.

Since the storm, many different organizations have stepped in to help in the recovery effort. One of the most visible is the American Red Cross.

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

Photo: A Red Cross volunteer delivers Sandy Kits on Staten Island, New York, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. (Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross)

A view inside the mind of Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro is one of the most imaginative directors working in movies today. His movies, like Hellboy and Hellboy II, are full of creative creatures and unique stories. When you watch a movie directed by del Toro, you immediately know it.

But del Toro is also a producer. He has produced numerous movies, including Megamind, Puss in Boots and Kung Fu Panda 2, as well as the soon-to-be-released The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Like the movies he directs, most of del Toro’s projects are infused with his love for comic books and the comic book imagination.

His latest producing credit is Rise of the Guardians, which hits theaters on November 21. At a recent press event for the movie in New York, I had the opportunity to interview del Toro about Rise of the Guardians, making movies, and what comic books he recommends for kids like me!


Kid Reporter: What was it that interested you about Rise of the Guardians?

Guillermo del Toro: It was the fact that it was a movie that looked like an illustrated book. It was very beautiful to look at, but also that it felt like a timeless tale. It didn’t feel hip, super-modern. It felt classic, and I felt it was important to make it. When you watch the classic movies, like Pinocchio or Sleeping Beauty, you get a nostalgia for a movie that is actually earnest and romantic about what it’s doing, and this movie has that spirit.

You’ve become more involved as a producer of family films, films more aimed at children. How is working on these films different from the films you direct?

First of all, it’s a different part of my brain that works. I really like working on these films because they can tell beautiful stories in a beautiful way. Visually, Kung Fu Panda, Puss in Boots, [Rise of the] Guardians, Megamind – they’re very beautiful movies, but you can create crazy creatures, crazy adventures, crazy action moments. They give you a lot of freedom.

How is this movie different from the all the other animated films you have worked on?

What is similar between Kung Fu Panda, Puss in Boots, and this one is the three of them were not ironic, they were not post-modern. Puss in Boots really wanted to be a spaghetti western. Kung Fu Panda wanted to be a great martial arts movie. And this one wanted to be a classic tale of timeless appeal. So that is what is similar. What is very different is the visual style and the quiet moments. This movie has quiet moments that are very beautiful, like the kid talking to his stuffed rabbit, Jack emerging from the frozen waters, Jack in Antarctica. Moments that are a lot more dark, but a lot more beautiful, too.

Cold Ice, Warm Hearts

Hockey is a fast, intense sport. And yesterday the New York Islanders showed it also has a heart.

The National Hockey League (NHL) team held the Hockey with a Heart Hurricane Sandy fundraiser on Monday at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. From 2-8 p.m., the Islanders opened up their home ice to the public and collected donations of money, clothing, and non-perishable food items. 

But there was more to the fundraiser than just the skate. The Islanders Ice girls and team mascot Sparky were there showing their spirit. They were had interactive games set up around the rink for the children who came to the Coliseum. Food and drinks were also available.

All proceeds went to the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief fund, and Island Harvest collected the many items the fans donated. 

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Photo: More than 2,000 Long Islanders, New Yorkers, and other residents of the tri-state take part in an open-skate fundraiser in Long Island hosted by the New York Islanders. (Courtesy New York Islanders)

One Area That Always Seems To Be Forgotten

Disastrous. Mortifying. Destructive. Calamitous. Annihilating. Obliterating.

Those are just a few of the words that can describe the horrors Hurricane Sandy brought to the residents of Woodbridge, New Jersey, and citizens all across the Northeast coast of the United States.

New Jersey was one of the hardest-hit states, and its beloved shore area was devastated by Sandy’s high winds and flooding.  One flood prone area in central New Jersey is the Woodbridge River Basin. Although the area has not received much attention that some other devastated places in New York and New Jersey, it is a spot that has been devastated by major flooding over the past two years from Hurricanes Irene (in 2011) and Sandy. The area has suffered mightily from storms over the years, yet nothing major has been done to fix or slow down the flooding that occurs.

Along with a state-of-the-art community center and the oldest library in Woodbridge, the town features the Woodbridge River, which begins in the central Woodbridge area and snakes its way down to Arthur Kill, which is the body of water that separates New Jersey from New York. The river began causing trouble when an extension of the New Jersey Turnpike was built in 1951. Because the Woodbridge River ran in the path of the turnpike extension and caused major flooding problems on a marquee roadway, a man-made creek was built to channel waters away from the turnpike and into swamp lands that neighbor a small community.

What does that mean? It means that every time a major rainstorm occurs, the turnpike will not flood, but the small neighborhood will be prone to flooding.

Another Swing from Mother Nature

Last week, communities in New York and New Jersey were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. Many people were left homeless after the storm, while others are still without power and heat.

But on Wednesday, another storm took aim at the east coast.

Winter Storm Athena moved into the same parts of New York and Jersey still recovering from Sandy. Athena brought with it very cold temperatures, heavy rains, lots of snow, and strong winds. The National Weather Service predicts Athena will also cause a 2-4-foot storm surge. This will cause moderate flooding in areas who have yet to dry out from the last storm.

For the rest of the story, visit the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website.

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Photo: Snow covers debris piles as flood waters start to return to neighborhoods in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, on Wednesday November 7, 2012, as a nor'easter hits. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry) 

The view inside Obama HQ

In the main event space at President Barack Obama's Election Night party at McCormick Place in Chicago, hundreds of national and international news agencies were set up and broadcasting. After my parents, brother, and I arrived and explored, we made our way to a workspace that looked on to a TV that was showing six different news stations simultaneously. Massive overhead screens also hung throughout the event space. Obama supporters at the event focused on those screens and cheered loudly whenever a projection favoring Obama was announced.

Of course, when it was announced that President Obama had won re-election, McCormick Place erupted with cheering and chants of "Four More Years!

The announcement was made at around 11:20 p.m., and as the crowd waited for the President to deliver his victory speech they danced, clapped, sang, and waved little American flags. The music was loud, and so was the crowd!

But everyone at McCormick Place had to wait a long time for the President. Mitt Romney delivered his concession speech at 1 a.m. — nearly two hours after Obama was declared the winner. The crowd seemed to lose some of its energy as the night dragged on. Except for the section of supporters directly behind the President's podium. Their presence was revealed a short while before the President took the stage. They were concealed behind a blue curtain. This newer, fresher cheering section was located directly in the sight line of most of the major TV outlets, providing them with images of energetic attendees.

Obama finally took the stage at 1:40 a.m. He was met with wild, loud, and long cheers. First Lady Michelle Obama joined him on stage, then left the President by himself to deliver his victory speech.

In his speech, Obama thanked his supporters, his family, his Vice President, Joe Biden, and even his opponent, Mitt Romney.

But he also spoke to pulling the country together after a divisive presidential election. "We are an American family, and we rise and fall together as one nation and one people," President Obama said.

A big part of the President's speech was that it's now time to move past the campaign and focus on working to improve the country. Obama said that he wants to work with Romney to solve the problems facing the nation.

"In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward," Obama said.

When President Obama concluded his speech, the crowd went wild! He was joined by his family and the Biden family. Then an explosion of red, white, and blue confetti filled the air.

Obama supporter A.J. Dilay summed up the feelings of a lot of the people at McCormick Place last night. "Being here tonight has been so uplifting," he said. "Just the energy is like nothing I've ever felt. I'm just screaming inside and full of joy."

I know it's a night that I will never forget!

—Kid Reporter Natalie Wexler

Photo: Supporters cheer at the end of President Barack Obama's remarks during an election night party, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The view inside Romney HQ

Last night, hundreds of people from around the world gathered at the Boston Convention and Expo Center to see if their choice for President, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, would be the next President of the United State. His hopeful supporters waited for hours to get into the center. Even Donald Trump was there to show his support for Governor Romney. The mood was calm but happy, A sort of “We got this” feeling was in the air.

As I talked to supporters, they seemed happy but also a little nervous. “I’m not sure who will (win), but I hope its Romney,” said Lisa Gibbs from Birmingham, Alabama.

As the votes came in, Romney held a small. early lead. But President Obama kept it tight right and was right on Romney’s tail. People outside started to get more excited and people started answering my questions as if Romney had already won. “We came from Baltimore early this morning to watch history be made here,” said Joe Tristani.

Though Romney had a small lead, he lost it very quickly and became neck and neck with Obama. There was a new sort of tension in the air with people starting to realize that Romney might not be the next President. His supporters went back to saying “if” he wins. I asked supporters what they thought the most important issue in America is and how Romney would help solve it if elected. Nancy Young of Massachusetts said, “We hope to get rid of Obamacare and get the healthcare plan back on track.” Others like Janet Fogerti thought that the economy was the biggest issue.  “I think the biggest issue is the economy but also national security,” she said. 

At 11:30 p.m., most of the national TV news outlets had projected Ohio would be won by Obama, which would mean he won re-election. Governor Romney's campaign wasn't ready to concede defeat — they wanted to see more results come in from Ohio first. But as the night went on, Obama won more states and it was clear Romney would not be the winner.

At 12:55 a.m., Romney took the stage at the convention center to deliver his concession speech. His speech was gracious. He thanked his family and staff, as well as his supporters and his running mate, Paul Ryan. “Next to Ann,” Romney said, “Paul is the best choice I’ve ever made.”

Romney also said he wanted the country to pull together and get to work fixing the nation's problems. "The nation, as you know, is at a critical point," Romney said. "At a time like this, we can't risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people's work. And we citizens also have to rise to the occasion.

He then gave advice on how Americans, as working people, can help fix the economy. "This election is over, but our principles endure," Romney said. "I believe that the principles upon which this nation was founded are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy and to a new greatness."

When he finished his speech, his family, as well as Ryan and Ryan's family, came together on the stage to thank their supporters.

—Kid Reporter Coleman Hirschberg

Photo: Kid Reporter Coleman Hirschberg outside Mitt Romney's campaign night event in Boston. (Courtesy Coleman Hirschberg)

Editor's note: Kid Reporter Coleman Hirschberg had to leave the Romney event early because he got sick as the night wore on. As a result, he wasn't able to speak to Romney supporters after Romney delivered his concession speech.

A tight race for Governor in Indiana

Mike Pence and John Gregg went head to head yesterday for the title of Governor of Indiana. Both with their separate reasons for wanting to be elected, both anxiously watched the votes come in.

This is the first Governor election where the powerful incumbent, Mitch Daniels, wasn’t running. Both candidates are diverse, which made it a more difficult decision for Indiana voters.

“The governor’s race has been interesting because it started out so quiet and then has been much more vocal at the end,” said Dr. Sarah Stelzner of Indianapolis. “I think got a little bit dwarfed by the whole controversy with the senate race and obviously with the presidential race. So, that one has been a little bit harder to follow for me and the fact that there’s two people trying to put themselves forward as opposed to an incumbent that you have some experience with but it was easy for me to make a decision.”

Amidst the chaotic Election Day, a foreigner who wasn’t able to vote headed to the polls with a friend for the experience. Valerie Spriet of Indianapolis enjoyed comparing and contrasting the elections here and in her native country, France.

“It’s not allowed,” Spriet said about campaign ads still being broadcast on Election Day. “Because at this stage in France, 24 hours before the election everything must be stopped. The candidates mustn’t speak on TV anymore. Nobody is allowed to give papers for the different parties outside the place you vote.  It is totally forbidden.  They think that they have to leave people on their own to think now to begin to make their own choice and that they don’t have to interfere anymore.  So they stop all the campaigning.”

The votes were neck and neck for a great amount of time until Mike Pence pulled ahead to become the next Governor of Indiana with 50 percent of the vote to Gregg’s 46 percent.

I interviewed both candidates about the governor's race in Indiana. You can read more about it on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website.

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photo: Governor-elect Mike Pence (Courtesy Pence campaign) 

Nevada: A swing state no more?

History is made in Nevada.

President Obama captured re-election last night with the assistance of Nevada's six electoral votes.

Obama won the state by 51 percent of the popular vote, with 47 percent going for Romney. This is the second consecutive year Nevadans have voted blue (Democratic). This swing state has predominately voted red (Republican) since 1912.

It appears Nevada may be starting a new trend for their future.

—Kid Reporter Cheyenne Ruiz

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley on the rise after elections

Election night was a good night for Maryland Democrats, but especially for Governor Martin O’Malley. In addition to voting to reelect President Barack Obama, Marylanders renewed mandates for the Democratic ticket: Senator Ben Cardin, US Representatives John Sarbanes, Steny Hoyer, and Chris Van Hollen, and denied 6th district Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett an 11th term in favor of Democratic newcomer John Delaney.

Governor O’Malley had four other reasons to smile, too. His constituents voted “Yes” on all statewide ballot measures championed by the Governor and Democratic Party leaders.