Dublin Middle Schooler Chosen For National Student Press Corps

Davis Middle School in Dublin lacks a student newspaper, but that didn't stop one of its students from pursuing journalism. The 8th grader took a simple story and landed a reporting assignment for a national student magazine. 13 year old Kyra O'Connor has fond memories of Discovery Playground in Olde Sawmill Park. The large wooden castle like structure fired imagination and provided fun times for her and her elementary school friends. But change happens, and the wooden structure gave way to a more modern metal play-space. To Kyra, the "controversy" over the change prompted her to write a story as a student journalist for Scholastic News, a national classroom magazine for students. She was the only student from Ohio to be chosen as part of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps. "And I was jumping up and down, and it was really, really cool," says Kyra. Kyra writes that the Discovery Playground was a 'big part of Dublin' along with the Zoo and the Irish Festival. But, after more than two decades of use, the wood structure was no longer safe. It had to be replaced. For Kyra it was the end of an era. "The community, I feel, the kids that were playing on it, especially the older kids were a little hesitant towards it because they didn't want a small metal playground. So I really thought that the change that was going into it should be told," says Kyra. As part of her story, Kyra talked to a Dublin mother with two children who use the playground. She also interviewed a park advocate. Editor Suzanne McCabe of Scholastic News says while other students across the country wrote about hunger and climate issues, Kyra's story showed a tighter focus. "She just seemed like she really had a keen interest in what was going on in the community on every level whether it's government or just playing in the park," says McCabe. Kyra says she realized she had written a good piece of student journalism when she shared it with her teachers and friends. "It felt just fun. That's sort of when I knew I had a good story because I wasn't dreading writing it or 'oh my gosh' I have to go edit it again. And everyone who read it sort of connected with the topic. So that's when I knew it was a good story," says Kyra. At Scholastic News, McCabe says the value of student reporters like Kyra is that other students are more prone to read something written by a peer. "...who are often interested in hearing what other children have to say and what kids their age have to say about issues that effect them," says McCabe. As a middle schooler, Kyra hasn't decided on a career. She's also active in music, sports, and scouts programs at Davis. But, this school year she'll be writing more stories that will be read by thousands of other middle school students across the country. "I really like writing, so, it was pretty cool," adds Kyra.