A Candidate's Daughter

What it's like when dad runs for office

This weekend I interviewed 10-year old Amanda Rubio, oldest daughter of Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who has four kids.

I asked her how it felt knowing her father could very well be the next Senator of Florida. As I type this story on election night, her father has just been declared the winner in a three-way race.

“It feels really good,” she said on a campaign stop with her dad in my hometown of Lakeland, Florida. “I know that he could go around the world expressing what he feels, and try to make this country a better place.”

I then asked her about her favorite TV show. She said it was the Disney Channel show Good Luck, Charlie. I was thinking, “That’s mine, too!”

Finally, I asked her what she believed was the hardest thing about all her dad’s campaign.

“I think it is that my dad is not here a lot,” she said. “I feel like, ‘Where’s my dad,’ and my mom says he is all the way in Washington (or other places).”

As I was watching her dad make his acceptance speech, he mentioned that point as well. He thanked his wife for “raising the kids practically by herself,” and his kids for allowing him to devote so much time to the campaign.

While he spoke, Amanda was on stage with her sister and two brothers. Her mom’s arm was around her and she was grinning from ear to ear. Even though she is now a Senator’s daughter, she is still a kid who is proud of her dad.

—Shelby Fallin

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Shelby Fallin with Amanda Rubio, 10-year-old daughter of Marco Rubio, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Florida, at a campaign stop in Orlando, Florida, October 2010. (Photo Courtesy Shelby Fallin)

Too Close to Call

Shades of hanging chads, Florida Governor's race could go to a recount

Right now, the Governor’s race in Florida is neck in neck. Republican candidate Rick Scott has 50 percent of the vote and Democratic candidate Alex Sink has 47 percent of the vote. So far, 73 percent of the precincts have reported.

More than 500,000 votes are still being counted in Dade County and South Florida. Less than 100,000 votes separate the two right now.

If Alex Sink wins, she would be the first woman Governor of Florida. Rick Scott, a businessman, would be the first non-politician to be elected. If these two candidates come within a half a percent of each other, there will be a recount of the votes. And we all know Florida’s history with recounts!

Keep watching this race, it’s too close to call!

—Shelby Fallin

 

PHOTOS: (TOP) Democratic candidate for Florida Governor Alex Sink. Credit: Zuma Press/NewsCom (BOTTOM) Republican candidate for Florida Governor Rick Scott. CREDIT: Brian Blanco/Reuters

Rubio Wins U.S. Senate in Florida

First big Tea Party win of the night

Tea Party supported Republican Marco Rubio was declared the winner of the U.S. Senate race in Florida shortly after the polls closed. Rubio dominated the three-way race for the open Senate seat in the Sunshine State.

When he first announced his intention to run, Rubio was not considered a major player in the race. As Election Day neared, however, popularity polls showed him pulling ahead of his two opponents by more than 10 percentage points.

Also running for the seat was current Florida Governor Charlie Crist, and Florida Representative Kendrick Meek. Crist changed his party affiliation from Republican to Independent to make the race. Meek ran as a Democrat. Former President Bill Clinton recently endorsed Meek at a rally.

A Cuban-American, Rubio was backed by the Tea Party movement. He began his political career in the Florida State House. Keep an eye on this Senator. Many Floridians believe he could be a future presidential candidate.

Check out my interview with Rubio when he made a campaign stop in my hometown over the weekend.

—Shelby Fallin

PHOTO: Florida Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio, and his wife Jeanette smile as national TV stations call the race in his favor. He was watching election results in Coral Gables, Florida on Tuesday November 2, 2010. (PHOTO: Alan Diaz/AP Images)

Debate in Florida

Three candidates for U.S. Senate meet in final debate

The three candidates for U.S. Senate in Florida met in a debate this week, just days before the November 2 election. Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Representative Kendrick Meek, and former state Representative Marco Rubio all want to fill the open U.S. Senate seat in the Sunshine State.

I attended the debate inside the NBC WESH studio in Orlando on Friday. It was the last of a series of debates in this race. The candidates were allowed two minutes to answer each question, which resulted in a fast-paced exchange. The topics included the foreclosure crisis, the unemployment rate, and social security.

THE INDEPENDENT

Current Florida Governor Charlie Christ was attacked with rapid-fire questions and comments as to why he had changed his party affiliation from Republican to Independent.

“I am running as an Independent in this race because I believe the parties are broken,” he said. “I did not change, the Republicans did.”

THE DEMOCRAT

Representative Meek expressed his dedication to his party.

“I’m a Democrat. You can count on that,” he said.

Meek focused his remarks on the economy and the national debt. When I talked to Meek after the debate, I asked him about his education policy.

“I will stand up in the United States Senate and continue to fight for education funding in this state,” he told me. “We need to be sure to challenge not only students and teachers, but business communities and policy makers like myself to do better.”

I know there are many different viewpoints between Democrats and Republicans. People have to understand both sides to make a compromise, so I asked him to name one valid point that he agrees with Republicans on. He had to think for a minute before he answered.

“I think it’s the accountability in the education system,” he said. “You hear the Republicans talk about accountability a lot, but the policy makers who mold the type of system we have, we have to take just as much responsibility—the Democrats and the Republicans—as the teachers in the classroom.”

THE REPUBLICAN

Representative Marco Rubio focused his remarks on the future.

“Our ancestors faced their problems themselves and left the world better off for their children,” he said. “This will be the first time that our children will inherit a country in decline.”

Rubio was not available for a comment after the debate, so I caught up with him a few days later when his bus stopped in my hometown of Lakeland, Florida. My initial question was about why he running for Senate in the first place. What did he like best about it?

“We’ve gotten to meet people from all walks of life,” he said. “It shows how special America is and how we need to keep it that way.”

I reversed my question for Meek to ask Republican Rubio what he thinks is a valid viewpoint he shared with the Democrats.

“Unfortunately we have a war going on in the Middle East and the fact is that Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapons,” he said. “Those are the issues I think we can work on together.”

I also asked what he would tell voters about his viewpoint on education.

“Education really belongs at the local and state level and the federal government shouldn’t be interfering,” he said.

—Shelby Fallin

PHOTOS: (TOP) Kid Reporter Shelby Fallin and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Florida, Kendrick Meek at a debate in Orlando, October 2010. (Bottom) Kid Reporter Shelby Fallin with Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Marco Rubio, center, his 10-year-old daughter Amanda, and Shelby's mom Cindy, at a campaign stop in Lakeland. (Photos Courtesy Shelby Fallin)

Three-way Race in Florida

Clinton endorses in hot contest for U.S. Senate

Former President Bill Clinton delivered a half-time locker room pep talk to a crowd of more than 1,500 people at the University of Central Florida in Orlando this week. The purpose was to endorse Democrat Kendrick Meek in his run for the U.S. Senate.

This unusual three-party race includes Meek, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives; Marco Rubio, a former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a Republican; and Charlie Crist, Florida’s Governor and an Independent.

Crist recently switched from the Republican to the Independent Party for this election.Which may be why Meek felt the need to bring out what is considered the biggest endorsement in any Democratic race: the popular former President.

Recent polls show Meek falling behind in popularity with likely voters. A three-way race is a tough one to win for any party, but the Democrat is considered the underdog in this contest.

Due to a decline in approval ratings for Democrats across the country, endorsements from big guns like Clinton and President Barack Obama can often help remind those sitting on the fence why they should vote. Republicans use the same strategy, which this year includes endorsements from former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Republican strategist Karl Rove.

“These people like President Clinton come in here and they have experience,” said Frank Morris, a retiree who attended the Clinton rally for Meek. “We have an underdog coming in trying to take a position that is very important to the country. We need their experience.”

Another attendee, Dave Hoffman, agreed.

“I think some endorsements are important, while some don’t matter as much,” he said. He pointed out that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani recently made a trip to Florida to endorse Rubio.

“People like that are the ones that will make a difference,” he said.

President Clinton and Representative Meek certainly hope so. For Meek to make the jump from the House to the Senate, he will need young voters like the ones Clinton addressed on the university campus to get come out on election and cast their ballots. He urged them to use social websites like facebook and YouTube to spread the word—about voting for Meek and just plain voting!

Check back for the results of that election, which happens on November 2!

—Shelby Fallin, Florida

PHOTO: Florida Democratic senate candidate Kendrick Meek (left) listens to former President Bill Clinton address supporters during a campaign rally for Meek Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Photo: Steve Nesius/AP Images)

Latanna Stone: Youngest Golf Pro

Heads up! Golf newcomer and Kid Reporter on the links.

Golf is not as easy as it seems. Recently I met 8-year-old golf pro Latanna Stone and her golfing buddy Lily Berry on the links near their home in central Florida. Lily is only 7!

They both offered to show me pointers on how to perfect my swing—a swing that didn't exist until I got this assignment.

Obviously they didn’t know what they were getting into when they agreed to work with this non-golfer. My swing compared to theirs was like a toddler to a pro golfer who has been playing her whole life. Well, pretty much they have, but I had never set foot on a golf course before. It was quite a challenge for all three of us.

Latanna taught me how to hinge. Hinge means to take your arm and hold it straight and only move your elbows to drive the ball—don’t move your arm or wrist. Suddenly my short drive of five inches turned into two feet! That was good for me, but not Latanna, who usually drives about 106 yards.

When it was time to putt, Lily and Latanna taught me how to sink it in the hole. Showing me as they spoke, they said to lightly swing the club back and forth barely above the green without moving my wrist. Both of them efficiently reiterated for me to keep my eye on the ball. I obviously had a problem with that. After the tenth try, I finally sank it. Those two girls are miracle workers!

Golf takes both grit and patience, qualities that these young ladies have in abundance. Me, not so much. After one short hole I was beat. Sweat was pouring down my face.

Latanna and Lily both encouraged me: "You did fantastic. That was really great for a beginner."

I laughed, knowing that I was nowhere near their status. Hey, maybe a legend wasn't born that day, but a new interest definitely was.

—Shelby Falllin

New Kid Reporters Announced!

Seasoned Kid Reporter checks out the new team.

The new team of Scholastic Kid Reporters was announced today. Some of the new reporters have already had stories published. They are all working on an important first assignment about the economy.

I’ll never forget my first assignment. I covered a memorial service in central Florida for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. I then went on to cover the 2008 presidential election, which was an incredible challenge and unforgettable adventure! I even got to go to New York City for Election Day!

I spoke to one of the new Kid Reporters after his first assignment last week. Gowtham Balaji lives in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and is one of the 37 new reporters on the 2009-2010 team. Usually, only 25 new reporters are picked each year.

“We had more applications than ever this year,” said Editor Suzanne Freeman. “The quality of applications was really high, too.”

Gowtham’s first assignment took him to New York City to the Scholastic Headquarters in SoHo. He covered a live webcast featuring all five of the authors of The 39 Clues series. The webcast kicked off the release of Book 6 in the 10-book series.

After the webcast, Gowtham interviewed Jude Watson, author of Book 6: In Too Deep. Gowtham is not only a fan of the 39 Clues series, he is an avid reader of Watson’s Star Wars series as well. Watson clued him in on a big Book 6 secret.

“She said one of the main characters dies,” he said. “I am wondering who.” Watson wouldn’t tell him, but by the time you read this, Gowtham will know. When I interviewed him, he was busy reading Book 6 so he could write the review.

I asked him how he felt when he learned he was one of the recent additions to the Scholastic Kids Press Corp.

“I felt excited because I know I will experience a lot of cool events,” he said. “But I also know it is going to be a lot of work.”

Like all the other members of the press corps, Gowtham is busy working on a new Special Report.

“The Editor asked me to do some research about the economy and how it is affecting my community,” he said. “Next week I have to write about that.”

As more assignments come in, Gowtham is hoping to meet a few celebrities.

“I’m looking forward to meeting famous people and learning about them,” he said. He especially hopes to get an assignment about Major League Baseball. “Since I am a BIG baseball fan, I would like to cover a big news story about the World Series,” he said.

I told him to talk to Ms. Freeman. She’s a big fan, too. She and I went to spring training last March where I interviewed one of the newest members of the Tampa Bay Rays pitching rotation, David Price. The story ran in Scholastic News Edition 4.

I have a few other tips for all the new Kid Reporters coming on board this week. Work hard, have fun, and be prepared for anything!

Oh, yeah! Here are the names of the rest of the Kid Reporters chosen this year:

    Andre Baker, Cleveland, Ohio

    Gowtham Balaji, East Brunswick, New Jersey

    Nick Berray, Washington, D.C.

    Christopher Campbell, Bronx, New York

    N'Naserri Carew-Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia

    Liam Childers, Charlotte, North Carolina

    Samantha Coffey, Sleepy Hollow, New York

    Alexis Cornell, Evanston, Wyoming

    Julia Desmond, Davidson, North Carolina

    Henry Dunkelberger, Washington, D.C.

    Shelby Fairleigh, Horseshoe Bay, Texas

    Kenny Figueroa, Houston, Texas

    Kiera Fobb, Homestead, Florida

    Cecilia Gault, New York, New York

    Alysa Goethe, Bettendorf, Iowa

    Lily Haffey, Lexington, Kentucky

    Emma Hall, Franklin, Tennessee

    Susan Hepburn, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    Madeleine Horner, Leucadia, California

    Jonas Hosmer, Potomac, Maryland

    Charlie Kadado, Macomb, Michigan

    Jordan Kahrhoff, St. Peters, Missouri

    Andrew Liang, Alpharetta, Georgia

    Topanga McBride, Windsor, Colorado

    Grace McManus, New York, New York

    Joseph O'Connor, Bayside, New York

    Kaj Lund Olsen, Greenbank, Washington

    Maria Ordoñez, Miami, Florida

    Isabelle Quinn, Woodway Washington

    Miranda Rector, Los Angeles, California

    Mariah Reynolds, Cincinnati, Ohio

    Kayla Rudess, New City, New York

    Erin Sheena, Bellaire, Texas

    Christian Snyder, Reynoldsburg, Ohio

    Jeremy Sutton, Chicago, Illinois

    Maya Williams, Phoenix, Arizona

    Alexandra Zhang, Washington, D.C.

Now get to work, Everyone!

—Shelby Fallin

Swine Flu Blues

The headlines read: Swine Flu has hit America. Now it has hit me, too!

Honestly, when I first heard about this new flu strain I thought it was no big deal. It would never affect me. Boy, was I wrong!

Apparently, swine flu (H1N1) attacks the lungs first. That is why people with asthma and other respiratory diseases need to take extra precautions. And yes, I am one of those people. Problem was, when I started coughing all the time, I thought it was just my asthma acting up.

After four days of breathing treatments and no improvement, my peak flow levels, which measure my lung capacity, began to drop drastically. To make a long story short, I was taken to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital with complications from H1N1. All of a sudden, swine flu news became a BIG deal to me.

At the hospital, I learned that hand sanitizer is my best friend. The people who came into my room had to wear masks, gloves, and gowns. Then, when they left and took those off, they had to use hand sanitizer and soap. Swine flu can be spread by touching something that has been touched by someone sick with the virus. That’s why when you are sick, it is very important to wash your hands often, even if you cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve.

Every time you blow your nose, you need to use sanitizer or wash your hands.

I know hand sanitizer and washing really works. No one in my family was sick, nor were any of my friends. Could I have gotten it just from touching a door handle or not washing my hands enough? I will never know. But, I have learned a lot about preventing the spread of the virus.

Here are some handy tips that I learned while in the hospital:

1. Always wash your hands before you eat, after using the restroom, or after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.

2. Most people use hand towels in the bathroom. Replace those with paper towels so the germs can’t accumulate on the towels.

3. Use disinfectant wipes to wipe down anything that many people touch or use in your house, for example, door knobs, telephones, sink handles, and light switches.

4. If you are coughing or sneezing, avoid being around other people and stay home from school when you are sick. That way, you can keep the virus from spreading.

5. If you have asthma, monitor your peak flow every day. This will help make you more aware of your breathing levels.

6. Don’t wait until you can’t breathe before you contact a doctor.

7. Did I mention WASH YOUR HANDS?

These tips will help prevent H1N1 and other viruses and help you stay healthy.You can find out a lot more at the CDC's Web site.

Trust me. Swine flu is a big deal. Being in the hospital is no fun. Since I have asthma, I had to be on breathing treatments every two hours around the clock. That means I had to wake up every two hours just to breathe right. The nurses and doctors were great, but I felt like a pin cushion or lab rat.

Even after I came home, I was so tired that I couldn’t even walk outside for five minutes. The good thing was that I had word searches and books (thanks, Scholastic friends!) to keep me occupied during the day.

But laying around and watching television through a breathing machine mask gets old. You would never believe how much you can miss going to school. Believe me, it is possible.

Maybe, by telling my story, I could help someone avoid the swine flu blues.

By the way, you can share your swine flu experience by clicking on the blue comment below and sending us a brief note.

—Shelby Fallin

Extra! Extra! Apply Now!

October 5 is deadline to apply for the 2009-2010 Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

As a Scholastic Kid Reporter, I have learned that reporting is not just an interesting and fun after-school activity. It’s a responsibility. People rely on you and you have to act professionally at all times. It’s like a real job.

For instance, if you have the opportunity to interview a really famous entertainer or other celebrity, you can’t act like a crazed fan—even if you are! You have to focus on the job and remain calm. (Later, when it’s over, you can freak out!)

Once, I interviewed stars from the Disney Channel games. While interviewing the Jonas Brothers I was jumping up and down—on the inside. I still had to be a professional journalist, asking questions with a straight face. I had to get my story. Afterward, when no one was looking, I sneaked out of sight and SCREAMED!

The picture you see on this page is me being a profession while interviewing Super Bowl super stars last year. (I was better at it than my dad was!)

I’ve also learned that while reporting is exhilarating, it also involves hard work and dedication. Before you conduct your interview, cover an event, or write your story, you have to research the topic, write out your questions, and practice your interviewing skills!

When conducting an interview, you must be prepared and attentive. You have to make eye contact with the person you are interviewing and listen carefully to the answers.

And you have to be patient. There is often a lot waiting involved. I use my waiting time to go over my questions once again and become even more familiar with them. I sometimes even memorize them.

Deadlines are another part of the job you have to take seriously. No matter how tired you are after an event or interview, you sometimes have to write the story and submit it to the editor right away. (And you still have to do your homework!)

I hope I haven’t scared you. Reporting isn’t ALL hard work. I LOVE being a Kid Reporter.

One fun part is making friends with other reporters, both your fellow Kid Reporters, and the grown-up kind you meet along the way. They can make great friends AND help you with your assignments. I learn a lot of good tips from the adult reporters. After all, we share a profession.

Are YOU interested in being a Scholastic Kid Reporter? You can apply for the job right now! Deadline to send in your application is October 5.

To apply you have to write a short biography of yourself, and a 400-word story about what makes your community special. (Get the details by clicking here.)

My advice is to show your personality through your writing. Use descriptive words, details, and rich vocabulary.

Also, pick a specific topic and stick to it.  No matter where you live, there is something unique about your community. Focus on that rather than writing out a list of tourist attractions.

In your biography, let the editors know who you are and why you REALLY love reporting.

Can’t wait to see you online!

—Shelby Fallin

Photo: Kid Reporter Shelby Fallin talks with Arizona Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein at the Super Bowl XLIII Media Day in Tampa, Florida. (Photo courtesy Shelby Fallin)