Future Tennis Stars Are Great Role Models

Do you have a favorite role model? Tell us in the comment section below!

I was asked to cover a tennis tournament at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the U.S. Open in Queens, New York, recently.

As I watched the players on the court, I was amazed. Yellow fuzzy tennis balls whizzed by at great speeds during long volleys back and forth between the players. They grunted and groaned as they returned powerful serves.

But I wasn’t watching a professional match with top seeded players like Serena and Venus Williams. I was watching girls my own age! Actually, they are a little younger than me!

I was at the tennis center to report on the Longines Junior Tennis Challenge. Eight girls between the ages of 10 and 12 competed against each other for a trip to Paris this June. There the winner will compete against players from several other countries for a chance to play against tennis great Mary Pierce at the French Open. It was no wonder they were playing so hard!

I was really impressed by these young players and their skills on the court. What happened after the tournament impressed me even more.

These girls had all just played their hearts out and only one of them won the trip to Paris. But when they were done playing, they all sat down and ate lunch together. They were talking and laughing and no one was even the slightest bit upset. They all clapped and cheered for each other during the trophy presentations.

Since they all came from different towns, I was wondering if they knew each other before this tournament. They explained to me that they have been competing against each other since they were about 8 years old, so they have become friends. These girls were great sports both on and off the court!

Earlier I had asked some of the girls who were their role models in tennis. Of course, they had mentioned tennis greats such as Roger Federer and the Williams sisters. They also named their coaches, who provide them with so much inspiration.

I have to wonder if these girls realize that they themselves are great role models!

—Jacqueline Minogue

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Jacqueline Minoque with Longines Junior Tennis Challenge winner Lauren Fishbein at the Billy Jean King Tennis Center in Queens, New York, April 2010. (Photo Courtesy Jacqueline Minoque)

Want to be a Kid Reporter?

Research and detail are keys to good reporting. Use those tips in your application!

I have been a Kid Reporter for Scholastic News for almost two years. It has been a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

I have learned many things as a Kid Reporter. I have learned that when writing an article it is important to make the reader feel like they are with you experiencing the moment. Don’t just state facts—use a lot of descriptive words to make your article interesting.

I have also learned that you should use different writing styles depending on the type of article you are writing. For example, writing a book or movie review is different than reporting about a special event.

However, the most important thing I learned while being a Kid Reporter is that you should do your research before you go out on an assignment. To do a good job, you have to know who you are going to interview and find out some background information about them. This will help you to ask good questions.

Always bring a little digital recorder with you so you can record their replies. Then you can use actual quotes in your article, which makes it more interesting.

One of my favorite assignments was to cover the red carpet for the premiere of the movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Before I set out on this adventure, I did some research on each of the actors in the movie as well as the director and the author of the books on which the movie was based.

I prepared questions for each one in advance. This was a tremendous help since I only had a few minutes with each person as they walked down the red carpet and spoke to all the reporters.

I love being a Kid Reporter! If you want to be a journalist, you should apply to be a Kid Reporter, too. Deadline is October 5!

When completing the application process, be sure that your biography includes interesting details about your life and your interests . Include some fun facts about yourself, things that make you special. It doesn't huyrt to explain why you want to be a reporter, too!

When writing your article about your community, think about what makes your community unique and different from every other neighborhood in America. Use details and do some research! You may even learn something new! Good Luck!!

—Jacqueline Minogue

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Jacqueline Minogue gets the scoop on The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants from America Ferrera at the world premiere of the movie, August 2008. (Photo courtesy Jacqueline Minogue)

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)

Kids to the Rescue!

What it takes to be a lifeguard at the beach.

Have you ever wondered what to do if you see a person drowning in the ocean? Or what would you do if you were caught in an ocean riptide? This summer I found out the answers to those questions and more. I just finished a junior lifeguard course at my local beach. It was not only fun, I also learned a lot about the ocean. Learning about the ocean is very important because sometimes the ocean can be dangerous.

During this course, I was with around 30 kids from the ages of 11 to 15. You have to be in great shape to be a lifeguard. Each class started with a far run on the beach. I have to admit this was my least favorite part—it is not easy to run in the sand!

After that we would do a long distance swim in the ocean. Then we went through several different activities and drills. For one drill we had to carry a partner on our backs and run a short distance. I didn’t realize lifeguards had to practice carrying people.

We also practiced doing an actual rescue. It was a little difficult, but when I brought my pretend victim in, I felt good. We even had to practice how to jump off the lifeguard chair and run into the ocean.  That was so much fun.

I think the most important thing I learned was how to spot a riptide in the water and what to do if I get caught in one.

If you ever get caught in a riptide remember this: DON'T PANIC, and don’t attempt to swim against the current back to shore. Wave your arms to get the attention of the lifeguard or anyone on shore. Then swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current.   

At the end of the course there was a competition between participants of all the junior life guard programs at other local beaches. It was fun to show off all the skills we learned. I think all kids should take a junior life saving course. You should see if your town offers a program like this, especially if you live near the ocean. Who knows, you may save someone’s life someday!

—Jacqueline Minogue

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Jacqueline Minogue takes off for a run along the beach in Long Island, New York. Photo Courtesy Jacqueline Minogue.