Vienna Middle School Student Chosen As Scholastic Kid Reporter

VIENNA, VA — One of Vienna's own was selected as a Kid Reporter for the 20th annual Scholastic Kids Press program. Eighth grader Laura Zhang is one of 50 Kid Reporters ages 10 to 14 invited to the team of young journalists from around the world.

The goal of the program is simple: produce "news for kids, by kids." Kid Reporters cover news in their communities as well as national topics that matter to young people. Kid Reporters work with an editor throughout the school year to pitch stories and conduct interviews.

The program aims to boost their critical thinking and communication skills as well as their confidence as they cover stories. Since the program began, Kid Reporters have covered five U.S. presidential elections, the Olympics, Tony Awards, and National Book Awards as well as interviewing people such as conservationist Jane Goodall, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and 'Hamilton' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Stories are posted on the Scholastic Kids Press website and featured in select issues of Scholastic Classroom Magazines.

Aside from her role as a Kid Reporter, Zhang competes on the swim team and plays flute in the school band. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing and coding.

This year's Kid Reporters come from 21 states and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, as well as Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand.

See Kid Reporters' latest stories here.