Kenilworth Student Selected As Scholastic Kid Reporter

KENILWORTH, NJ — Kenilworth 8th grader Bobby Liberatos was selected as one of 50 kid reporters to join Scholastic Kids Press, a team of young journalists, ages 10 to 14, from around the world.

Liberatos, who has always been interested in the news, was happy to be selected. He had previously written for his school newspaper at David Brearley Middle School.

"I’ve always been very interested in the news since as far back as I can remember," Liberatos said. "I am always reading it and found it so interesting on how people read about people who are influencing our lives. Reading the news is our responsibility to make us better citizens. If you don’t read the news you are basically not part of society and can’t do anything because you are uninformed."

As a kid reporter Liberatos will report "news for kids, by kids," sharing stories from his community while covering critical topics and issues that matter most to young people.

"There are several things I am looking forward to that I want to do," Liberatos said. "I want to show how news has an impact on people… I want to write for kids about things happening to real people right in our community."

Liberatos said he is looking forward to covering the opioid crisis affecting New Jersey and on Senator Corey Booker and his run for President.

"I want to cover things happening locally but that also have an influence nationally," Liberatos said.

Kid Reporter stories are published on the program’s website, and featured in select issues of Scholastic Classroom Magazines, which reach more than 25 million students in classrooms nationwide.

For more information on the Scholastic Kids Press, click here.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.