Life in the Red Shirt

Almost everyone recognizes the kids in the red shirts!

When I found out about the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, it was like someone had designed a program just for me. Working as a Kid Reporter has given me time to contemplate—and test—my career choices, not only in reporting, but in the jobs of everyone I get to met—including the President of the United States!

This is what I do. I love the jittery feeling I get before I go to interview someone. It’s so… well, relaxing. I think of all the possible outcomes, all of the words to say. I prepare myself by going over my questions and making sure I have done my research and know who I am going to be talking to and what about.

When I put on my red Scholastic Kids Press Corps shirt I am no longer just some kid. I forget about everything else and focus on my story.

For one assignment, I interviewed documentary film maker Ken Burns. We talked about his work and the “Ken Burns Effect,” which some photo software uses to make a still picture move like a motion picture. It was cool because I was learning how to edit videos, and here I was talking to one of the great innovators in the movie industry!

Once, when I had an assignment in art to make a sculpture, I also had an assignment from Scholastic to go to an Ice Sculpture show. I have had many unique experiences that have helped me improve my talents and expand my passions.

And then, there was the 2008 presidential election. I actually got to interview Barack Obama before he was elected President!

When I go to interview someone, I can usually see a flash of recognition in their eyes when they see my red Scholastic shirt. I love that. When I’m done working with Scholastic, part of me will always be the kid in the red shirt.

—Kayla Gough

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Kayla Gough interviews then candidate Barack Obama at an event in Michigan in 2008. (Photo Courtesy Kayla Gough)

Four States in 12 Years

This Kid Reporter learns from where she lives.

Living in a lot of different places can change you. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of experience in this area. In my 12 years of life, I have lived in New York, New York; Detroit, Michigan; Denver, Colorado; and as of this summer, Cleveland, Ohio.

Each city has given me so much: new expectations, new ideas, and new challenges.

My first memories are of New York City—the Big Apple. The people in New York are amazing. Everyone has a thick skin. The streets seem to crackle with energy.

New Yorkers are not afraid to tell you what they think. No one can keep their opinions to themselves. I learned a lot in school with rowdy classroom debates and students unafraid to ask questions. People in New York respect you for sharing your opinions.

When I moved to Detroit, Michigan, the first thing I noticed is the population’s diversity. So many different people all living together happy and proud of it. Once I got past being shy, I made a lot of friends. Being weird in your own way is something to be proud of in Detroit.

In Denver I was surprised yet again. Everyone there is so active. People in Denver participate in year around sports in almost every league. They ride bikes to school no matter what the weather. Whole families walk and bike together.

Skiing is also a favorite sport, although I never learned. I was the most fit I’ve ever been in my life—and some of the most fun, too.

When life brought me to Cleveland, Ohio this summer, I didn’t know what to expect. I’m still not entirely sure, but I’m going to find out. And just like everywhere else I’ve been, it will leave its mark on me—probably for the better.

—Kayla Gough

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Kayla Gough. (Photo Courtesy Kayla Gough)

A Trip to Veggie U

How to live a healthy lifestyle one seed at a time.

Last week, I visited the Culinary Vegetable Institute on a farm in Milan, Ohio. As I walked up to the building, I passed a large, beautiful tester garden full of new and different types of chives, basil, and mint. (Did you know that chocolate mint is an herb? Me neither!)

The smells were amazing, and as layered as the colors. Inside I met Barbara Jones, director of Veggie U. She explained the non-profit organization to me.

The whole thing started when a group of professional cooks gathered at the farm for a dinner. They began talking about how they wanted to give back to the community. Someone—and no one remembers who—brought up that children weren’t eating vegetables anymore. Maybe kids would eat better if they knew where vegetables came from and could get more excited about it, they thought.

The hope was to reduce the ever-increasing obesity rate of kids in the U.S. by teaching them to grow, cook, and eat their own vegetables. These culinary experts wanted to show children how to eat healthy, without giving up flavor. That was the start of Veggie U.

The goal of Veggie U evolved into giving as many kids as possible a hands-on vegetable growing and eating experience.Originally only in Ohio, Veggie U has now spread to 24 states around America with 1,800 classrooms participating.

The classroom program is designed for fourth graders and is fairly simple. Students are supplied with seeds, an overhead light, containers, and even worms. They plant the seeds provided in three different types of soil and record the growing process. Students are also each given a “mystery seed” to plant and later identify.

Everyone is taught to harvest, clean, cut, and prepare the plants. The kit costs $450 per classroom.

In the struggle to reduce obesity in children, Veggie U is making a difference, one seed at a time.

—Kayla Gough

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Kayla Gough in the test garden at Veggie U in Milan, Ohio. (Photo Courtesy Kayla Gough)

Halloween Snowstorm

Weather plays a trick on Colorado’s treat seeking goblins.

The end of October is a time for fall leaves, fun costumes, and candy. But this year in Colorado, the year’s most colorful month turned pure white with about three feet of snow—an early blast from winter, still weeks away. Now, instead of costumes, people are pulling out their snow gear.

This morning, I scrambled through my closet to find snow boots that would still fit. I’m excited to see snow so early, but hope it won’t interfere with trick-or-treating on the night of Halloween.

Outside, the pumpkins are hidden in the snow. My dog wanted to come out with me.  He’s a Pomeranian, which is a small fluffy breed. His orange furry body was almost lost in the white stuff. He went back inside pretty quickly.

Thursday was a snow day in my school. According to my language arts teacher, it’s the first snow day in five years! Everyone is excited about the short break from school. News reports say this is the biggest storm since 1997 and may be one of the earliest big storms ever. One expert said storms like this only come every 10 years or so.

Playing in the snow is great, but my favorite part is coming back inside to a warm cup of hot cocoa. Now if I can just figure out how to make snow boots and a winter coat work with a Halloween costume.

—Kayla Gough

Photo: Kid Reporter Gayla Gough outside her home in eastern Colorado only two days before Halloween. (Photo Courtesy Kayla Gough)