Hoffman Estates student joins Scholastic News reporting network

Seventh-grader Maya Nayak of Hoffman Estates recently learned that she has been selected to join a select group of writers: the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps.

Scholastic News is a classroom magazine that offers students a mix of stories - from current events to curriculum-based subjects - in both a digital and print format.

Maya was among 35 new Kid Reporters announced by New York-based Scholastic News - from the more than 200 who applied - who will be assigned to write "news for kids, by kids."

"I'm really excited for the opportunity," Maya said. "I've always been interested in writing and my sixth-grade teacher encouraged me to apply."

As part of the Kids' Press Corps, Maya will contribute to the magazine's coverage of current events, breaking news, entertainment stories, and sports events from her local community and on the national stage.

"Kid Reporters provide a relevant and age-appropriate look at contemporary news for readers just like them," said Suzanne McCabe, editor of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. "We're gearing up for an exciting year of news coverage that will offer these young reporters tremendous opportunities to grow as journalists and writers."

The new team of Kid Reporters comes from 22 states and the District of Columbia, and they will carry out a long-standing tradition of covering the presidential election, reporting on stories from the campaign trail to Election Day, and the inauguration of the next U.S. president.

To apply for the role, Maya had to suggest a news story from her own community. She chose to write about the ecology team at her school, Plum Grove Junior High School in Rolling Meadows, and some of its initiatives to promote energy awareness.

Now that she is part of the press corps, she received her first assignment from her editor, McCabe: covering the Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier.

"We could see from her writing that she has a distinctive voice and is a keen observer," McCabe says. "We look forward to her covering events in the Chicago area."

Maya's language arts teacher at Plum Grove, Rob Lightfoot, agrees,

"Her editing skills are fantastic when we are working in writers workshop," Lightfoot says. "She helps kids become better writers with her helpful suggestions. She is a joy to have in class."

Maya says she has read Scholastic News at school since she was in first grade and that she enjoys the variety of stories, and the photos.

"The articles are not just about current events," Maya says, "but they have other articles of things happening around the world."

At school, Maya participates in the math and yearbook clubs, and she also has been involved with the Writing Club, where members mostly compose poetry.

When she's not writing, Maya loves to read. Historical fiction is her favorite, and of course the Harry Potter series, which she started reading in first grade.

As for journalism as a career, Maya says she's not sure. Both her parents work in the banking industry and she would be the first writer in the family, if she chooses that path.

"Reporting sounds interesting," Maya says, "and this is a good opportunity to explore it."