Mid-Pacific pupil is on the lookout for the next big story

While many kids cringe at the thought of more homework, Julian Ibarra, 11, of Mid-Pacific Institute applied and won the opportunity to spend his free time conducting interviews and writing articles as a part of Scholastic News’ 2014-2015 Kids Press Corps.

Ibarra was one of 32 reporters chosen from more than 200 applicants from around the world to serve a one-year term as a kid reporter.

"It was a happy moment," Julian said. "I was surprised and excited for the upcoming experience and what I could do in the upcoming months as a reporter."

Kid reporters serve from October/November through September. They are assigned one story when they begin but can write as many as they want.

So far, Julian has written six articles and had two published by the Scholastic organization, best known to parents for the monthly book-ordering circulars. Scholastic News presents community-based articles "for kids, by kids" at magazines.scholastic.com and in magazines for use in classrooms.

Julian found out about the program from his fifth-grade teacher, Sarah Field, who described him as a passionate, enthusiastic and capable writer.

Now that Julian has a few pieces under his belt, Field said, "I see a difference in his writing, and just the opportunities he’s had to interview people and write articles has given him meaning for the pieces he has written outside of his school assignments."

The program does require support from the budding reporters’ parents as kids need to be driven to interviews after school and on weekends.

"We loved the fact that it’s hands on," said Julian’s mom, Joyce Lee-Ibarra. "Scholastic really makes it engaging for kids for what is current in the community."

To generate story ideas, Julian pulled from his interests, observing his community and local news reports. Then he discussed ideas with his editor, Suzanne McCabe, a veteran journalist who oversees the team of kid reporters.

One of Julian’s earlier career goals was to be an astronaut. He turned this interest into the Scholastic News article "A Planet Close to Home?" in which he wrote about a Mars simulation project on Hawaii island (808ne.ws/ibarramars).

More recently, Julian’s passion for space has been replaced by an interest in technology but his love for writing continues and he hopes to write books in the future and "maybe become a journalist," he said, noting that his favorite part is meeting his subjects and hearing their stories.

Julian is most proud of his article "Hawaii: Volcano Watch" (808ne.ws/ibarra volcano). "Not just because it got published but I got to take information from two interviews and put it into one story," Julian said.

Julian spoke with Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science director Steve Hirakami and U.S. Geological Survey scientist Janet Babb for that piece.

Julian is still waiting to find out whether his other stories will be published.

Either way, Julian said he would do it again if he had the chance. "This has definitely taught me a lot about writing and reporting."

YOU CAN DO IT, TOO

Scholastic News is looking for candidates for its 2015-2016 Kids Press Corps team.

If you’re between the ages of 10 and 14 and would enjoy being a reporter for a year, go to 

magazines.scholastic.com/kids-press/Application. 

Completed applications, which include a sample news article and an essay, must be submitted by 

Sept. 25. For information, email kidspress@scholastic.com.