Kids News Junior Journalist winners named for 2024

Adit Garg and Madison Riquelme share a passion for news and storytelling.

So much so, both young newshounds hope to one day follow journalism as a career.

For the second year, the pair has taken part in the Kids News Junior Journo competition, open to students nationwide across Years 3-9.

Adit was a category winner when the competition launched last year but in 2024 has gone one better, becoming this year’s Junior Journalist of the Year (Primary).

Adit took out top spot for his video entry covering the Sydney Science Fair and exploring how AI* and robotics will change our lives.

Adit, 11, said his passion for journalism started when he was “about six or seven”, driven by a curious mind.

“I love watching news programs because a lot of different people have different ways to reporting and it lets me see an event from different angles,” the Eastwood student said.

“There isn’t much real news awareness* among my friends, which is why our school’s media program* is great.”

Adit’s dad Alok said they were very proud of Adit and thanked his Year 5 Opportunity Class* teacher Paula Mitchell.

“Adit has been passionate about this work for a long time now,” Mr Garg said.

“And his teacher has been great helping him with that.”

WATCH ADIT’S WINNING NEWS (VIDEO) ENTRY

Ms Mitchell said: “The Kids News Junior Journo program has allowed Adit to blend his passions for science, technology, public speaking and journalism. Everyone at North Rocks Public School is immensely* proud of him.”

Estella Bubulya from St Marys Primary School in Malvern East, Victoria, was named Sports Reporter of the Year (Primary) for her profile of Paralympian Shae Graham, while Sydney’s Ryan Le and Christopher Lee, and Melbourne siblings Alexandra and George Riquelme, were all Highly Commended in the primary category.

KIDS CENTRESTAGE IN TV TAKEOVER

Victoria’s Madison Riquelme has claimed back-to-back Junior Journalist of the Year titles with a portfolio of work including a four-part domestic violence series, videos and cartoon illustrations.

Madison’s mum Maria Ligerakis said the 13-year-old has always had a “nose for news”.

“She’s always had this great ability to sit with a group of people, listen and observe,” Ms Ligerakis said.

“She’s able to gain people’s trust”.

Madison is also a budding artist, illustrating many of her stories with original artwork.

“This competition has given me the confidence to explore different news stories and combine my love of writing and my love of art,” the St Monica’s Epping student said.

“I would really love a career in journalism and TV,” she said.

Madison’s Year 8 English teacher Stephanie Laws said the award was recognition of Madi working “to shine a light on some prominent issues* facing our society”.

“It is rare these days to see a student so committed to honing* her craft and developing her journalistic style … always striving to reach her writing goals. St Monica’s College is incredibly proud,” Ms Laws said.

Skye McCowan and Sophie Shing from Mentone Grammar in Victoria were named joint Sports Reporter of the Year (Secondary), while NSW student Nicole Stratis of Casimir Catholic College was Highly Commended.

Kids News editor Diana Jenkins said Junior Journo “encourages Aussie kids to get on the tools, so they can recognise and avoid fake news*.”

The initiative is supported by News Corp Australia in partnership with the Seven Network.

News Corp Australia’s Community Ambassador Penny Fowler said Kids News was an important part of the company’s News in The Community program, with its focus on improving childhood literacy.

“Congratulations to (all) entrants and especially to all of our winners, who chose compelling* and newsworthy* topics that really resonated* with our judges,” Ms Fowler said.

“In particular I would like to congratulate Madison, who has remarkably won the competition two years in a row, showing a maturity beyond her years in her exposés* of bullying last year and the scourge* of domestic violence* this year.”

POLL

GLOSSARY

• AI: Artificial Intelligence, or the ability for machines to make complex decisions or perform tasks than usually require human intelligence
• news awareness: knowing what is happening in the news
• media program: an educational program teaching students about journalism
• Opportunity Class: classes for high potential and gifted students in Years 5 and 6
• immensely: greatly
• prominent issues: very important issues
• honing: improving
• fake news: made up news stories
• compelling: very interesting
• newsworthy: considered interesting or important enough to be reported on in the news
• resonated: connected with
• exposés: stories that shine a light on something or reveal trends on an issue
• scourge: terrible problem
• domestic violence: violence that happens in the home, usually between family members

EXTRA READING
Innovative tech dominates Science Fair
Shae Graham: Paralympian Powerhouse
Baristas vs. ‘bots in cafe clash

QUICK QUIZ
1. For how many years has Kids News ran the Junior Journo competition?
2. What drives Adit Garg’s passion for journalism?
3. Who won Sports Reporter of the Year (Primary)?
4. What issues has Madison Riquelme explored in her submissions?
5. What has the competition given her the confidence to explore?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. News: condensed
Identify the most important pieces of information in this article and write a condensed version of it using 50 words or less.

Draw a picture or diagram to support your condensed news story.

Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science

2. Extension
Compare your condensed news story with a classmate. Did you both include the same information or are your stories quite different? Discuss your choices and then work together to create a final condensed version of the story that you both agree tells the important parts that a reader would need or want to know.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.

Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.

Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?

Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.