Phoenix 7th Grader Crowned Scholastic Kid Reporter

Grant Killewald, a seventh grader from Phoenix, has joined an esteemed international team of 27 student journalists with a mission to report “news for kids, by kids.”

Recently accepted into the 25th class of Scholastic Kid Reporters, Grant expressed surprise about his selection. “I never knew that I’d get in… it was hard, but I got in!” he stated, reflecting on the competitive application process.

His passion for subjects like history, politics, and geography motivated him during the application. Grant detailed his experience: “I had to write about myself, and I had to write about a couple stories that I would like to do.”

He aims to cover topics close to his heart, such as the upcoming election and the work of the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates reptiles. Grant is especially enthusiastic about this topic as he is a proud owner of a bearded dragon named Jack.

As part of the Scholastic team, Grant is eager to create impactful stories about Arizona. He’ll have the opportunity to pitch articles to his editor, Suzanne McCabe, based in New York. “I can either pitch an article to write to my editor, or I can do one she assigns to me,” he explained.

Published works will appear on the Scholastic Kids Press website and in select issues of Scholastic Magazines, which collectively reach over 13 million students nationwide.

Suzanne McCabe praised Grant’s interests, noting, “He loves history and politics, which is great.” She anticipates his reporting will likely focus on investigative stories within the Western United States.

Proud of his son’s accomplishments, Grant’s father, Rich Killewald, remarked on his son’s lifelong interest in current events. “This is just a natural next step for him… I’m so proud of him, because he did this work on his own,” Rich said.

Grant’s aspirations extend beyond personal achievement. “I want to inspire other kids to not give up, and I want to report on the truth,” he shared. His father remarked, “Sky’s the limit for Grant. He’s a great kid.”

Grant’s parents are excited to witness his journey as a reporter in Arizona. He concluded a recent interview with the statement, “Reporting live from Phoenix, this is Grant Killewald with Scholastic Kids Press.”

Since the program’s inception in 2000, more than 500 Kid Reporters aged 10 to 14 have participated, honing their media literacy skills worldwide. The initiative emphasizes the importance of source evaluation, critical thinking, and the profound impact of multimedia storytelling.

Congratulations and best of luck, Grant! Your reporting journey is just beginning.