2012.05.02
A middle-schooler’s advice for The Roanoke Times
Every once in a great while, a kid — usually a Boy Scout out to earn a badge — will write the paper and share an opinion.
But the letter that arrived here today beats them all. Here it is, in all of its adorable glory:
3/27/12
From: Megan Smith
Mrs. Wilson’s Class
4902 HVM School Road
Roanoke, Va. 24018
To Whom It May Concern,
I am 11 years old and I find it hard to follow newspaper articles on politics. I am not alone. Most kids are too young to understand politics. Therefore, I’m requesting, if you don’t mind, that you add a new column to your paper called, “Kids for Kids.” I presume this will get more newspaper fans, twice as much profit, and adults will enjoy a kid’s point of view on certain topics.
Since some kids may be too young to understand politics. What we could benefit from is a popular newspaper like the Roanoke Times to spark their interest. Wouldn’t it be nice to see kids begging to get the newspaper to read the newest updates on books, video games, TV shows, movies, places and, of course, our national past-time? No, not baseball, although we could write about that, too. But, I mean, politics!
Perhaps teachers will even purchase the paper on a regular basis to use on current events for classroom discussions and to see what kids are interested in, and how they are voicing their opinions. Don’t get me wrong, your paper is interesting, but not necessarily to kids.
If this idea works, it may get kids to urge their parents into buying the newspaper. The Roanoke Times will receive, I’m speculating, a nice profit. Also with these added columns the newspaper may be able to get inspiration for the comic section. They are kind of boring.
Adult readers have much to gain from kid articles. They may want to see a kid’s movie review to know what to buy him or her for his/her birthday. If a parent needs to get their child to read more but they don’t seem interested in books, the newspaper may be just the tool a parent needs to bring back the art of reading.
Thank you for reading my opinion. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of future hungry readers could be at your fingertips. You could with just one change.
Sincerely,
Megan Smith
A newspaper-reader wanna-be
Love it! And the embedded link to Newspapers in Education!!
Comment by Courtney Cutright — May 2, 2012 @ 4:29 pm
Tell her to check out the Extra section every Wednesday for the Edge!!
Comment by Katelyn — May 3, 2012 @ 7:26 am
Maybe she could be editor of the editorial page? It would be a step up for the paper.
Comment by Ghost of Alexander Hamilton — May 6, 2012 @ 9:18 pm
Love it, that is so smart of her to come up with an idea and propose it with a list of ways that it will benefit the paper. She knows how to get things done! I hope she goes into politics (although she has quite a skill for sales). I was convinced. When does the new column start?
Comment by Michelle — May 11, 2012 @ 8:34 am