On Saturday afternoon, Hilde Kate Lysiak reported a murder in her hometown of Selingsrove, Pennsylvania, long before her competitors arrived at the scene. Hilde is 9. Pretty amazing, right?
After receiving a tip from a credited source, she headed to 9th st where there was heavy police traffic with her pen and camera, and later posted the story along with a video to Orange Street News, the site she publishes and edits. Yes, girl!
Since the story went live, Hilde has been bombarded with negative comments from her community on Orange Street News’ Facebook page, discouraging her from reporting and instead suggesting she do something more “suitable” for 9-year-old girls, like having tea parties.
In response, Hilde posted another video reading these comments aloud, some of which are:
“Sensationlist trash.” – Former Selinsgrove Mayor Sean Christine
“I am disgusted that this cute little girl thinks she is a real journalist. What happened to tea parties?”
“9 year old girls should be playing with dolls, not trying to be reporters.”
She’s not trying to be a reporter. She IS a reporter.
Hilde takes after her father, Matthew Lysiak, who was a reporter for the New York Daily News, and take cues from her father in her pursuit of a career in journalism. As a serious journalist, Hilde is totally unphazed by these comments. She ended her video with a message for her commenters.
“I know this makes some of you uncomfortable and I know some of you want me to just sit down and be quiet because I’m 9, but if you want me to stop covering news, then you get off your computer and do something about it.”
Go Hilde!!!
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