CAPE GIRL NAMED TO TIME KIDS NEWS STAFF

On her first writing attempt as a journalist, Emily Ponder did what some reporters repeatedly fail to do -- she made deadline.

Of course, Ponder's only 12.

Ponder's story submission on a Cape Girardeau girl who organized a diabetes awareness walk helped Ponder become one of only 15 kid reporters from across the country who will report for the Time For Kids magazine and Timeforkids.com.

"I've always wanted to be a writer," said Ponder, daughter of Michael and Connie Ponder. "Ever since the first grade. I thought journalism would be a good way to start."

The 15 reporters will cover local and national news for one year, writing feature stories. Topic assignments will originate from both Time For Kids and the kids' own story suggestions. Subjects will range from unique local happenings to events of national interest, including the Winter Olympics, the Harry Potter movie premier and the 2001 congressional elections.

The winners range from ages 9-13 and were chosen from nearly 300 entries in a nationwide competition that included writing samples and personal statements.

"Writing has always been a big thing with Emily," said Emily's mother, Connie Ponder. "She even taught herself to read at 4. She's a very well-grounded little girl."

Followed her instincts

In a social studies class where the teacher hands out Time For Kids, Emily Ponder noticed that the children's news magazine was looking for reporters for what it is calling its first-ever TFK News Team.

"I saw that and thought, That's exactly what I want to do,'" said Ponder, who begins seventh grade next week.

When she was looking for ideas for her story submission, Ponder read about 13-year-old Majhon Phillips in a newspaper article. Phillips' father had been diagnosed with diabetes three years before, and she was developing a walk for diabetes.

Ponder called Phillips on the phone and interviewed her. While Ponder makes straight A's, she admits to never having any journalism training. She just followed her instincts.

"I didn't know too much," she said. "I read the local paper and read Time For Kids to get the format down. I just thought What do I want to know and what would my reader want to know?'"

In June, she learned she had made the top 30 and in July she found out she was going to be working for Time -- without pay -- but with a year of experience under her belt.

"I just want my writing to be able to touch the reader," Ponder said. "I want readers to be able to relate to my stories."