It's a fact — Lindero Canyon student reporter likes her new job

Charlotte Laurence Charlotte Laurence looked like any other sixthgrade student when she walked into the classroom, except for the identification she wore. It was an ID badge that said she was a member of the media who carried all the "rights and privileges of the working press."

Charlotte, who attends Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills, is a student reporter on assignment with the Weekly Reader newspaper.

Nine million students across the country read the Weekly Reader, but only 12 of those have been chosen to be reporters for the student publication.

Last year while she was at White Oak Elementary School in Westlake Village, Charlotte eagerly awaited the reading of the Weekly Reader in Cynthia Morrow's fifth-grade class.

Morrow had used the publication to teach her students about the world around them, and noted that Charlotte was always an interested, eager participant in the current events discussion.

In the last issue of the year, Charlotte noticed a competition to become a Weekly Reader reporter and was determined to win the honor. She submitted a 300-word entry explaining why she wanted the job and what her best qualities were.

"I think being a reporter for Weekly Reader gives kids a chance to speak out and have our opinions heard," Charlotte said. "I am very environmentally aware and have political interests, but I also am interested in music, sports and arts."

The student reporters are contacted with debate topics on Fridays and given the opportunity to accept or reject an assignment. If they accept, they have until the following Wednesday to submit their 130word "debate."

Charlotte wrote an article debating whether grey wolves should be protected from hunting and recently completed another on graffiti.

Charlotte said she is adept at taking either side of an argument and making her points.

"I need to understand the other side before I can put my ideas out there," she said

Student reporters have the opportunity to interview actors and politicians and to cover the presidential inauguration and the Super Bowl.

Charlotte began writing poems when she was 4 and said her experience at the annual White Oak third-grade Wax Museum gave her the inspiration to become a writer. She portrayed Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and wrote about the Supreme Court Justice's life.

Recently, Charlotte said she's become more "environmentally aware and concerned."

Her longterm goals are to attend Harvard Law School and to some day be involved in the judicial branch of the government.

She also sees herself as a role model for other young people.

"I want them to know that they should follow their dreams," Charlotte said. "If you want something bad enough you should go to any lengths to get it. That's what I did. You have to have the right amount of confidence. It will show in your work."

You can view the debate articles written by Charlotte and the other student reporters at www.weeklyreader.com.