Meet The Newest (And Youngest) News Reporter In Ridgewood: Deirdre, Age 11

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — People will always need news, and — despite changes in the media industry over the years — a new generation of young people is still eager to deliver it.

When sixth grader Deirdre Liebman's family moved to Ridgewood from Montclair in 2019, she started her own newspaper to hand out on her street, interviewing neighbors for stories.

This past spring, her mom saw an opportunity for student reporters to write for Scholastic, the educational publisher of books and news magazines for kids.

"I've always loved to read the news," Deirdre said in a recent phone interview. "I wanted to learn more from people making the news, and have my writing edited by a professional. I applied in May [to be a scholastic reporter] and got an email in September."

Deirdre is one of 28 student reporters around the country who are writing articles for the Scholastic Kids Press program, 13 of whom are returning.

Deirdre — who was born in China and is being homeschooled — said she's always loved to read. Her mom would read to her when she was younger, and she'd reread the books later. Her favorites include Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and Sense and Sensibility.

"When I was really little, like 5, whenever I read a book I liked, I'd try and write the same story," Deirdre said. "As I got older I got more interested in news reporting."

What is she hoping to write about?

"That's a hard question, but I'm interested in a lot of things," Deidre said. "History is my favorite subject. I would like to cover anniversary events. D-Day is coming up. A lot of the men who died were from New Jersey, and I'd like to find out who they were. My first story is about going to the Museum of Jewish Heritage special exhibit for kids. It's the 80th anniversary of the rescue mission of Jewish people in Denmark."

In fact, Deirdre's story, "Holocaust Exhibition For Kids Opens In New York City," was recently published here.

Although Deirdre is homeschooled, she participates in local educational activities for kids. She's involved in the Bergen County Debate Club, which "teaches students how to think critically and speak passionately," according to its website.

Deidre's mom, Corinne Dillon, said she's happy that Deirdre will get to learn more about her interests in history, current events, and writing.

"I'm really proud of her and I'm really excited for her," Dillon said. "When we moved to Ridgewood, she started her own local newspaper for the street. She's always been a go-getter, as the oldest of four. She's always loved to write, always loved to read."

Want to learn more about the program or apply? Watch the following link: http://www.scholastic.com/kidspress

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