Scarsdale Youngsters Write the News

Eighteen Scarsdale elementary students recently took their first steps towards future careers in journalism. 

Those youngsters were among the hundreds who attended the 18th Annual Young Writers Workshop Saturday. The event featured a keynote speaker and more than 40 programs led by professionals—including movie critics, radio folks, experts from ABC and more—from all over the area.

During a news-writing workshop led by Patch, students learned the basics of reporting. They gathered quotes, made observations and drafted an article about the event.

Here it is:

Did you ever think about how fun the Young Writers Workshop could be?

Every year, a celebration of writing takes place in Scarsdale, and this year, for the 18th annual event, about 400 children attended. It happened Saturday (March 16) at the middle school. 

Students listened to a keynote speaker before splitting up into groups and attending activities—there were 43 to choose from. About 35 middle school students and 100 parents volunteered.

“The activities are a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed them,” Joanna Wang, a fourth-grader who participated last winter, too, said.

Third-grader Benji Miller could relate to Wang's feeling.

“I went to ‘Eat Your Words’ and I thought it was fun because I got to eat different candies,” he said, adding that he wants to take part in the workshop again.

The keynote speaker, author Adam Gidwitz, has made a career out of writing fairytales—with a grim twist, that is. While drawing tons of laughs from the audience, he talked about the process and shared some advice.

“As a writer or storyteller, we try to use good words,” he said.

That’s exactly what Gidwitz did, especially when he used the word “chunk” to describe a part of the "real" Cinderella story.

“Chunk. It’s great word,” Gidwitz said, before using the word to describe the stepmother cutting off part of the step-sister’s heel so she could fit her foot inside the glass slipper.

Many students noted that advice, as they came to learn about writing. That was the case for Ben Hoexter, a fourth-grader, who was happy to give up his Saturday morning.

“It’s fun for all ages, but unfortunately it's for grades three to five,” Jacob Faierman, a fifth-grader said, wishing he could attend next year, too.

[Editor's note] The following young writers contributed to this report: Eleanor Barnea, Cooper Cohen, Jacob Faierman, Aron Frishberg, Benjamin Hoexter, Amy Hu, Jennifer Kahn, Max Kushnick, Zachary Loeser, Katherine McCarthy, Benji Miller, Jeffrey Morse, Mitchell Peran, Meghan Quirk, Joshua Shefter, Joanna Wang