Tim Kaine projected to win Virginia senate seat

While Virginia might be too close to call in terms of the presidential race, the race for the open Senate seat in Virginia has a winner.

NBC News just projected that Democrat Tim Kaine will be the next Senator from Virginia. A few weeks ago, Kid Reporter Nick Berray interviewed Kaine about his candidacy. (The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps requested an interview with George Allen, the Republican candidate, but Allen's campaign declined the request.)

Check out our interview with Virginia's new Senator on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Editor Dante A. Ciampaglia

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

Kid Reporter at the White House

Learning the ropes at a presidential press conference

When President Barack Obama held his first full press conference at the White House in more than a year this week, I was one of approximately 60 reporters from around the world to cover the event. Since this was the first time a Scholastic Kid Reporter has ever covered a White House press conference, I didn't really know what to expect, but came prepared with a question just in case.

Being a foot shorter than everyone else—and wearing a bright red shirt, amidst a sea of business suits—I expected to stick out a bit. However, to my surprise, almost no one approached me to ask why I was there. I got the feeling that the assembled White House press corps might be kind of a serious, skeptical bunch who had seen just about everything. I did eventually get a few curious looks. One reporter, Paul Brandus, from Capitol News, snapped a photo of me, saying, "I want to get a picture of the next generation [of reporters]!"

When I first stepped inside the front doors of the White House and followed the other reporters into the East Room, I could barely see the room at all, because it was blocked by a wall of cameras. However, as I moved past all this gear, my eyes widened: The room was totally white with lavish gold curtains that restricted any sunlight from entering. Nevertheless, plenty of light flooded the space from two ornate chandeliers and all the lightening from the camera crews.

I wandered through rows of chairs until I discovered one that wasn't already reserved and slid into it. I was squashed between a Japanese reporter and another young man who struck up a conversation with me. He then started tweeting about me! The Japanese reporter kept glancing down at my notepad. I'm pretty sure he was trying to peek at my question.

Once seated, I had a clear view of the scene before me, presidential podium and all. I was taking notes on details of what had happened so far, when a voice announced over the din of talking reporters, "Ladies and Gentleman, the President of the United States."

I looked up, and there he was, as if he had popped out of the ground! I experienced a light-headed euphoria as I realized that standing in front of me was the most powerful man in the world.

The President made opening remarks before he took any questions. He called reporters' names off a list he had at the podium. By the third or fourth person I realized that if I wasn't on that list (and I highly doubted that I was), I was not going to be called on. That didn't stop me from timidly raising my hand a few pitiful inches whenever he seemed to look in my direction.

After roughly 13 questions, the President said, "Thank you," and jogged (literally) from the podium. As I joined the mob heading toward the exits, I wondered what I was going to write about. The questions covered so many diverse areas, but they did not cover the topic that I was hoping to discuss: education. I decided to consult with some of the more experienced press crew.

Keith Koffler, a veteran 15-year White House Reporter shared some insight on the news value of a press conference, especially when you don’t get to ask your own question.

"The difference between a speech and a press conference is that a press conference is usually better attended [by reporters] and may contain less rehearsed remarks," he said. In other words, the President is actually speaking to you rather than reading off prepared remarks. That can lead to newsy statements.

Bill Jones from Executive Intelligence Review gave me the same advice my editor did before the conference.

"Always be prepared to ask your question and raise your hand as often as possible," he said.

Well, better luck next time!

—Nick Berray

PHOTOS: (TOP) Kid Reporter Nick Berray (red shirt) squeezed into rows of reporters at a presidential press conference in the White House. (BOTTOM) Nick's view of President Barack Obama at the press conference in the East Room of the White House. (Photos Courtesy Nick Berray)

Tips for Stressed Reporters

If at first you don’t succeed…

So there it was: My first assignment as a Scholastic Kid Reporter! I was asked to cover an event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The story was for an online Special Report for Native American History month.

I was told I could choose between two events: participate in a gala dinner or attend a special movie screening that would include an interview with the lead actor. Both sounded great.

Upon further inspection, however, it turned out that dinner was very late and very far away (on a school night), and the movie topic was, well let's say, less than appropriate for kids. Oh, great. Now, what to do?

Tip 1: Don’t Panic, Research!

OK, so, no dinner and no movie. Time to propose another aspect of Native American history to cover: To the Internet!

I looked at the Smithsonian museum’s website to try to find another idea and eventually stumbled upon “Upcoming Events.” Turns out, the museum was featuring a major art exhibit by a modern Native American artist that same month! It was the first time the museum would showcase a living artist’s work.

The artist, Brian Jungen, takes common objects like sneakers and golf bags and turns them into natural works of art. I was all for it, and so was my editor when I suggested the idea. In fact, one of the magazines decided they wanted the story for a cover! I researched all about the artist, prepared my interview questions and got them approved.

I eagerly awaited my first big interview with Mr. Jungen, which was canceled by the museum at the very last minute. Oh, great. What to do?

Tip 2: (Same as Tip 1) Don’t Panic, Research!

Back I went to the museum website. There I found that I could get permission to view the artwork before the show officially opened. The Assistant Director agreed to let me to look around for a "few minutes." That’s when Tip 3 came in handy.

Tip 3: Be Polite, Show Genuine Interest (and make use of all that research)!

The Assistant Director let me into the exhibit and (thanks to tip 3), we ended up talking for nearly an hour. I got a complete tour, and he even introduced me to the museum’s director. He seemed to appreciate how much I knew about the artist and he shared some unique insights with me about Jungen’s art and the art world in general—most of which came in very handy for my article.

It was a tricky first assignment, but I learned a lot. Just one thing to remember: when in doubt, RESEARCH! 

My last tip is to apply to be a Kid Reporter. The application process just opened up for the 2010-2011 school year. Enter the competition here.

—Nick Berray

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Nick Berray at a Washington Wizard's basketball game, one of the many cool assignments he covered as a member of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps. (Photo Courtesy Nick Berray)

Young Writers' Camp

A summer camp for writers who want to have fun learning.

Ahhh, summer. Heaven to a kid, hot to an adult, and as for me, it means camp.

My summer started off on an up note. I was able to snag a two-week spot in a writers' camp at Duke University with my best friend. How awesome is that?

I took Writing a Graphic Novel with a loquacious teacher who gave us truckloads of tips and techniques that brought our writing to a higher level. At the time, I did not have the slightest idea how to write a graphic novel. I thought we might just draw and come up with a story line. It sounded pretty simple. How wrong I was I?

For Graphic Novel Writing, you had to carefully think out each panel to let your artist know what you wanted. For example: I want a small panel taking up the bottom ninth of the page. Please have a close up on the main character's face, on the left side. Put a scar on his cheek...

We also discussed good villains and different types of heroes. We even read comic books to study different styles.

After the afternoon class, we all gathered to share the work we did that day. In the evening, we held living group meets, where your dorm meets and discusses what you did that day and what you're looking forward to.

My living group consisted of seven people (including myself). There was my roommate and best friend Matt, one of my new best friends Sam, a small boy with glasses named Paul who was very shy and was drooled on by all the girls (poor kid), Aaron, who is awesome, and the Star Trek/Star Gate/Dr. Who-loving Jack. Then of course there was our counselor, Everett.

Regardless of my brief descriptions, they were all amazing people, writers, and friends and my heart ached when we all had to say goodbye on the last day.

—Nick Berray

PHOTO: NIck Berray at his summer writing camp. (Photo Courtesy Nick Berray)

NOTE: What did YOU do this summer? Let us know using the Comment section below. 

Get a Taste of Mexico!

At the President's guest house for another tasty state visit.

A dancer stomped and twirled to the rhythm of the music being played in a courtyard filled with sunlight. Brightly decorated tables dotted the area. The atmosphere was festive for the second official state visit of the Obama presidency.

Called “A Taste of Mexico,” this cultural event for kids was held at Blair House, the President's official guest house just across the street from the White House. The event celebrated the upcoming visit of the President of Mexico Felipe Calderón. It was hosted by Capricia Marshall, Chief of Protocol of the United States.

The music was good, but the food was better. The highlight of the event was getting to learn about Mexican cuisine first-hand—both the preparing and the eating!

Guided by guest chef Patricia Jinich and several White House chefs, we (the kids) were separated into four groups, one group at each of four tables.

The first group was charged with making delicious corn tortillas. When everyone was finished making their tortillas, a bell rang, and each group moved on to the next table.

The second table was devoted to beans. My group learned about all the different kinds of beans, how they were cooked, what foods they were good with. Once we were finished, the bell rang again and we moved on.

At the third table, we made our own salsa with various ingredients. At the fourth table, we finished making the batter for a delicious looking sponge cake.

Once we had finished making and learning about the Mexican delicacies, we went outside to the tables in the courtyard, where some interesting beverages awaited. There was a drink called Agua de Jamaica, which was actually hibiscus flower water. Another was Agua de Limón, otherwise known as fresh lime-water. The last was named Agua de Horchata, or water with rice, vanilla, almond, and cinnamon.

We conversed and tasted the exquisite drinks until the food came. That was when all conversation stopped.

The food was wonderful. Our handmade tortillas had been united with a scrumptiously seasoned bean puree, Mexican sour cream, Farmer's cheese and avocado to form a Mexican dish called Enfrijoladas con crema queso y aguacate. This dish was improved even more as we added our personal salsas to the mix.

Last, but certainly not least, came the dessert: A sponge cake decorated with a dollop of whipped cream, Mexican chocolate shavings, and fresh strawberries. It was an absolute melt in your mouth confection dubbed Pastel de tres leches de vanilla con crema batida y fresas con rallado de chocolate Mexicano.

A mouthful both to say and to eat, yet delicious nonetheless. As they say in Mexico: ¡Buen apetito!

Be sure to check out my video interview with the Chief of Protocol and head chef of the event!

—Nick Berray

PHOTOS: (TOP) Kid Reporter Nick Berray (left) works on dessert. (BOTTOM) Handmade tortillas made by kids at "A Taste of Mexico" event before going into the kitchen to be cooked. (Photos Courtesy Nick Berray)

Washington Mystic's Home Opener

Mystics Mania hits D.C. basketball courts.

After an on-the-court interview with the Washington Mystic’s newest star Katie Smith, I got to go see a game. It was the Mystic’s home opener and I was seated at the press table with a terrific view of all the action.

A great roar of approval escaped the crowd as the WNBA Mystics trotted onto the court. Each player was introduced by a booming and enthusiastic voice over the loud speaker. I received a high-five from Katie as she loped past the table.

The game started off slow-paced, and as I sat at the long media table packed with reporters and shiny laptops, I began to wonder if the action would ever pick up.

The first quarter ended, with the Mystics at 9 points, and Liberty (the opposing team) maintaining 18. Ouch.

The second quarter was better. The players seemed more determined, crouching low and menacingly, streaking down court, and supplying good defense. It ended with the Mystics' score being 31 to the Liberty's 28.

After half time, the third quarter started, transforming the court into a battlefield. The players, their faces dark and determined, thundered down the court, plowing through the defenses of the opposing team. With each score for the Mystics, a deafening din arose from the stands. Signals passed between the players, allowing them to execute brilliant plays that bypassed the defenses of the enemy team.

Occasionally, the ball would spin out of control, resulting in the ref's whistle and a call that usually provoked boo's and insults. WNBA fans are certainly passionate!

As the game picked up, the action brought more penalties. Anne Donovan, the head coach for Liberty rushed up and down the sidelines, stepping in front of me literally every time I was about to take a picture. The back of her brown suit became all too familiar!

My ears were assaulted by a women sitting next to me, who was yet another coach or advisor for Liberty. She kept yelling calls to the players such as, "Slice! Chop! Slice!" and, "Screen the screener, screen the screener!"

All the excitement left me holding my breath with the rest of the crowd during the last few minutes of the game. The Mystics held Liberty at 61, gaining a lead of 16 points. The game ended with the Washington Mystics at 77 and the Liberty 61.

After the game I spoke to Katie and asked her opinion of the game.

"It was a great game, and our defense really helped create opportunities for us to score," she told me.

With that, I met up with my Dad and my friend Ellen and her dad, and headed back to the car, my ears still ringing with the shouts and chants from the crowd. I asked Ellen what she thought about her first live professional women's basketball game. Did she think it was different from men's? She, my dad and her dad all agreed that it was a great game that wasn't necessarily better or worse than men's basketball. It was different, and definitely something they would do again.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

—Nick Berray

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Nick Berray watches the Washington Mystics during their home opener with the New York Liberty. (Photo Courtesy Nick Berray)

Earthquake Update

Save the Children reports on progress in Chile and Haiti.

Hard on the heels of the recent crisis in Haiti, the South American country of Chile was struck by one of the biggest earthquakes on record—an 8.8 magnitude.

I had written a story about the efforts of Save the Children to help people in Haiti. I wanted to know what the non-profit organization was doing in Chile, so I called my source, Kathy Connolly, Senior Director for Resource Development.

Ms. Connolly informed me that a rescue team arrived quickly in the nation’s capital city of Santiago.

"The first three members of our team deployed to Chile on March 2 and more are on the way,” she said. “They are working with the Chilean Government to assess the damage done by this major earthquake."

I asked Ms. Connolly how she would compare the two catastrophes.

"A major difference between the Haitian and the Chilean crises is in the ability of the respective host governments to manage the aftermath,” she explained. “Chile has long been at high risk for earthquakes, given its geographic location, and the government has a strong, capable civil defense in place to provide support. The country's infrastructure—the quality of its building construction, for example—is more advanced than Haiti's as well."

The organization also plans to help kids living in Chile. "Save the Children will provide psychological and social support, hygiene kits, and many other services such as child protection support and educational programs," she said.

Meanwhile, the government in Haiti is still struggling to recover from it 7.0 earthquake, which did much more damage to that poverty-stricken country than the 8.8 quake did in Chile.

"Haiti will be a long-term project,” Ms. Connolly said. “We'll be there for quite a while. Approximately 1.2 million people still need shelter, so that is an urgent priority."

Save The Children has a six-month plan and a proposal called "Build Back Better” to help support the longer term needs of the children of Haiti. In addition to food and shelter, Ms. Connolly says that education will be an important issue for the future. For more information, or to donate, visit savethechildren.org.

— Nick Berray

PHOTO: Food aid is distributed in Constitucion, Chile, some 300 km south of Santiago. (Photo Credit:MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images/NewsCom)

Snowed In!

D.C. digs out from under record snow fall.

Snow is beautiful and sparkling, light and fluffy, like a cloud falling to the ground. That is, until it really starts to stack up like it did here in Washington, D.C., this weekend.

As residents of the nation’s capital, my family and I are used to managing three inches of snow on the ground. No big deal. Right now, however, 30 inches of snowfall has blocked the roads, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks. This is the largest single storm total in the past 88 years!

Over the last few days, the "Blizzard of 2010" has given me the opportunity to make some fascinating observations about nature—including human nature. Snowstorms can bring out some strange and unexpected behaviors in people. And it started with the pre-storm mania...

The Worst of Times

For example, on Thursday last week, the day before the start of the snow, the supermarkets were jam-packed. There wasn't a single square inch of floorspace in our local grocery story that was not covered by anxious shoppers, struggling to grab what they needed and get out.

As always, there were certain items in high demand: the ever-popular toilet paper, milk, eggs...and oddly, ground beef! This particular item, which may have been headed for chili pots around the metro area, was being snatched up right and left.

By the time we got to the meat display, only one package remained. My mom was holding it in her hands as a burly man with wild eyes emerged from the mass of people around us. He was clearly contemplating a snatch and run. We were relieved when instead he stalked away, a hungry and frustrated look on his face.

A Challenging Business

The snowstorm made doing everyday things really challenging. For example, Saturday morning my dad and I had to shovel for almost half an hour before we could clear a little spot for our dog, Tess, to do her business. She took one hop into the un-cleared snow and sunk down so deep that only the top of her head poked out!

And the snow kept barreling down. I had to re-dig the path while my dad was off shoveling the back deck. He also had to cut up a tree that had fallen across our driveway.

I will say this for snow: It sure helps build your arm strength. Unfortunately, it also kills your back!

The Best of Times

Although the storm may have brought out some unpleasant qualities in people (the would-be meat snatcher?), I have also seen examples of compassion and generosity.

One of our neighbors owns a snow blower, and has been helping us keep our long drive way clear. We invited neighbors without power to come and stay with us. Yet another neighbor is allowing me to use his computer to post my report since he is the only one around who still has a functioning internet connection.

One last observation about this weekend; most people in my area didn’t get to watch the Super Bowl! As I listened to the radio, I heard how about more and more people were losing power in their houses, and how some might not get power back for days.

Our family lost satellite coverage for our TV, but my Dad’s smart thinking saved the day. He climbed onto the roof of our house and threw one hard-packed snowball at the satellite dish, causing most of the snow to tumble out. We watched the Superbowl!

So what does the future hold for those of us in the D.C. metro area this week? More snow! Four to five inches are predicted for tomorrow. I’ll keep the shovel handy.

—Nick Berray

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Nick Berray and his dog on the back deck before it was shoveled clear. (Photo Courtesy Nick Berray)