When Brennan turned 10 years old in September 2009, he had a great two years to look back on. Every week for 18 months, he published his own newspaper, The Spruce Street Weekly, a two-page paper that focused on good news. Last year, he won a national competition to become a kid reporter for TIME Magazine’s publication, Time For Kids.
Plaudits to the Leader for its sponsorship of the coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games by Brennan LaBrie. As a 10-year-old journalist, Brennan was one of about 10,000 reporters covering the Vancouver Olympics and was accompanied by Jack Olmsted, a photographer (videographer) (and Colleen LaBrie, photographer, writer, editor, mother). Brennan's relation of his experiences of being in Vancouver, with so much excitement and fanfare, was beautifully reported with a child-like, delightful enthusiasm. His observations gave a unique aspect to readers of what it was like to be a member of the press. He enjoyed the privileges, such as getting up close to the Olympic sculpture Fire and Ice, which the public did not share. He attended press conferences, circulated among TV news personnel from all over the world and interviewed celebrities. His reporting gave readers an insight to that world most of us know little about.
The articles, together with the photographs, were a journalistic contribution to the newsworthiness of the Leader.
To have recognized the abilities of young Brennan and to have encouraged him to report on this international event was commendable. This was an inspiring story about a publisher, a young person excelling in a grown-up world, and we, the readers, benefited as well.
I had a playdate planned – but I guess I’ll have to put it off for a little while.
Something came up.
My friend had to go see the President of the United States.
A new friend of mine, Marcelas Owens, was flown to Washington, D.C., to attend the signing of the new healthcare bill. Marcelas, 11, stood right next to President Obama as Obama signed the new bill into law.
Marcelas got to be a part of this special day by going through something very hard: his mother, Tiffany, died in 2007 after her heart condition, pulmonary hypertension, caused the loss of her job and with it the loss of her health insurance and home.
She had been an advocate for healthcare reform. She spoke out for healthcare and died because she had none.
After her death, Marcelas felt he wanted to speak up as well.
“My grandma told me that even if you’re nervous you do it anyway,” he told me, “and that you have to be able to not be afraid speaking what you have on your mind.”
That advice helped him when he was in Washington, D.C. March 11 where he stood before Congress to tell what happened to his mother in hopes of getting the healthcare bill passed.
The bill was voted on Sunday, and it was late Sunday night when Marcelas got the good news. Not long after that, he was on a red-eye flight to Washington, D.C. to attend the signing.
“It was really exciting. I didn’t know the bill was going to pass that fast!” he said.
Marceles wore a suit as he watched the President sign, and his blue tie matched Obama’s. I asked him if he had planned that.
“No,” Marcelas said. “Someone that worked there picked it out for me.”
Becoming president is something Marcelas would like to do some day. It’s either that or become a professional basketball player.
By Wednesday noon Owens was on a plane back to Seattle. The trip flew by fast, but he had favorite moments – meeting the President topped the list, but he also liked the Washington, D.C., yo-yo that Obama gave him as a souvenir.
For Obama, the bill passing was just the beginning. He still has a lot of work ahead as he prepares to tour the country to promote the new bill. Marcelas has more work to do as well, as he continues to speak out -- and, of course, there’s school. But he is up for all of it.
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he said.
Marcelas was looking forward to the celebration waiting for him when he returned home, and felt very good about the trip and this week’s victory for getting healthcare for all Americans.
“This meant a lot because my mom was working so hard for it,” he said, “and she didn’t get a chance to finish it.”
And as for that playdate, I imagine it will happen after he gets a bit of rest. We plan to play hard, then talk ideas.
Owens got to be a part of this special day by going through something very hard: his mother, Tiffany, died in 2007 after her heart condition, pulmonary hypertension, caused the loss of her job and with it the loss of her health insurance and home.
She had been an advocate for healthcare reform. She spoke out for healthcare and died because she had none.
After her death, Owens felt he wanted to speak up as well.
“My grandma told me that even if you’re nervous you do it anyway, and that you have to be able to not be afraid speaking what you have on your mind.”
That advice helped him when he was in Washington, D.C. on March 11 where he stood before Congress to tell what happened to his mother in hopes of getting the healthcare bill passed.
The bill was voted on Sunday, and it was late Sunday night when Owens got the good news. Not long after that, he was on a red-eye flight to Washington to attend the signing. He had been invited by Majority Leader Harry Reid.
“It was really exciting. I didn’t know the bill was going to pass that fast!”
Owens wore a suit as he watched the President sign, and his blue tie matched Obama’s. Was this planned?
“No,” Owens said. “Someone that worked there picked it out for me!”
Becoming president is something Owens wants to do some day. It’s either that or become a pro basketball player.
By Wednesday noon Owens was on a plane back to Seattle. The trip flew by fast, but he had favorite moments – meeting the President topped the list, but he also liked the Washington, D.C., yo-yo that Obama gave him as a souvenir.
For Obama, the bill passing was just the beginning. He still has a lot of work ahead as he prepares to tour the country to promote the new bill. Owens has more work to do as well, as he continues to speak out -- and, of course, there’s school. But he is up for all of it. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” he said.
He looked forward to the celebration that was waiting when he returned home, and felt very good about the trip and this week’s victory for healthcare.
“This meant a lot because my mom was working so hard for it and she didn’t get a chance to finish it.”
Brennan's relation of his experiences of being in Vancouver, with so much excitement and fanfare, was beautifully reported with a child-like, delightful enthusiasm. His observations gave a unique aspect to readers of what it was like to be a member of the press. He enjoyed the privileges, such as getting up close to the Olympic sculpture Fire and Ice, which the public did not share. He attended press conferences, circulated among TV news personnel from all over the world and interviewed celebrities. His reporting gave readers an insight to that world most of us know little about.
