Scholastic News Kid Reporters Sit Down with President Barack Obama For Exclusive Back-to-School Interview

NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps announced today that two of its Kid Reporters, ten-year-old Topanga Sena of Orlando, Florida, and eleven-year-old Jacob Schroeder of Albuquerque, New Mexico, conducted an exclusive interview with President Barack Obama at the White House in time for back-to-school. This is the first time in its decade-long history that members of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps®, the country's largest and longest-running national student reporting program, have interviewed a sitting President of the United States.

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The interview, which took place July 15th in the White House Library, covered a wide range of topics including the economy's effect on the nation's struggling families, the importance of education for 21st century jobs, the relevance of the 224 year-old U.S. Constitution, and the books that were important in his childhood. The President also explained how he talks to his young daughters about the events of 9/11, telling the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps that it was a tragic moment for all of us, adding, "But I think it's important for us to realize that, as terrible as that day was, it brought America together and it reminded us that we're all one people, and that each of us have a responsibility as citizens of the United States, to try to make this country the best it can be."

As the interview came to a close, a surprise visitor trotted into the room. Bo, the First Dog, greeted the Kid Reporters with the wag of a tail and earned a treat from the President.  

The complete video interview with the President is available online at www.scholastic.com/kidspress. Additionally, the Scholastic classroom magazines Scholastic News®, Junior Scholastic® and The New York Times UPFRONT®, which are read by millions of students nationwide, will feature portions of the interview in their September issues. "Since the publication of its first classroom magazine 90 years ago, the Scholastic mission has been to explain the contemporary world to kids," said Dante Ciampaglia, Editor of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. "Our Kid Reporters' interviews with the President and other world leaders and newsmakers help put the issues of our day in a context that is both relevant and age-appropriate for young readers."  

The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps is a group of 50 talented young reporters, ages 10-14, from across the country. For more than ten years, the Kid Reporters have covered current events and breaking local and national news stories, including reports about entertainment, sports, business, politics, the economy, the environment, education and books. Their stories appear online at the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website and in issues of Scholastic Classroom Magazines.

The Kids Press Corps is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year. Good writers with an interest in journalism can learn more about the program and the criteria for applying at www.scholastic.com/kidspress. Applications must be postmarked by October 11, 2011.  For press information, please visit the media room.

SOURCE Scholastic Inc.