America, Meet Deidra

Local tween new kid reporter on NBC’s Today show

When 12-year-old Deidra Shores learned she had been voted the Today show’s new “Kid Reporter,” she greeted the news with complete and utter silence. Her kilowatt smile, dim. Her effervescent personality, flat. Instead, she sat in stunned disbelief as Al Roker stood next to her, repeatedly announcing the news. It took a full minute before it finally registered. And then she responded like a typical, tween-age girl, letting out a high-pitched squeal.

“I can’t believe it,” she said, waving her arms in the air. “Could you say it again?”

The Colonial Middle School student was one of four finalists vying for the on-air slot. Shores beat out more than 40,000 children who submitted tapes to the popular morning show contest. Viewers voted for their favorite finalist via the Internet.

Deidra’s poise and delivery were apparent from the start. Her original submission was a parody of Matt Lauer’s “Where in the World is Matt Lauer,” a video that had her searching for Lauer around Memphis, before landing an exclusive interview. For their final assignment, each would-be reporter traveled to New York City, where they covered the unveiling of the world’s largest children’s book, written by children for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Deidra filed her first story for the Today show during a six-day cruise on Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, “The Carnival Dream.” The trip is one of several prizes she received as the contest winner. — Jane Schneider

Holiday Lights Twinkle

At the Zoo and Shelby Farms

The Memphis Zoo has nearly doubled its SunTrust Zoo Lights display since 2008, by including their two newest exhibits, Northwest Passage and Teton Trek. That means your family can enjoy even more holiday fun.

Snow-filled courtyards, singing trees, even live reindeer are some of the surprises you’ll encounter at the Holiday Farm. Then, you can channel your inner superstar during karaoke caroling, or have a photo taken with Santa at the Teton Trek lodge. He’ll be joined by Bamboo, the zoo’s panda mascot. Other animals are on display in select areas until 8:30 p.m.

SunTrust Zoo Lights runs weekends from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights through December 12; December 17,18, 20-23, 26-30, and January 1-2. Admission: $5/members, $7/nonmembers. Get tickets at memphiszoo.org and at the Zoo’s front gate.

If you’d rather drive than walk, grab a carload of kids and head to Shelby Farms Starry Night, a light spectacle unlike any other. The 1.5 mile trail features colorful displays that capture the spirit and enchantment of the season.

The show runs now through January 2. Monday-Thursday, 6-10 p.m., weekends 6-11 p.m. Prices: $20/carload, $35/shuttle or minivan, $50/minibus, and $150/tour bus. Purchase tickets at the Starry Nights entrance (Walnut Grove at Farm Road), or participating bank branches of First Tennessee. Visit starrynightsmemphis.org, or call 767-PARK for more information. — Melanie Miller

A Tree of Hope

The celebration of life and love is conveyed in the holiday cards created this year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South. The nonprofit grants more than 200 wishes each year to children across the Mid-South with chronic or terminal illness.

The artwork, entitled Catching Fruits from the Tree of Hope, was created by Memphian NJ Woods. It features a group of children dancing around the base of a colorful tree. Speaking with the artist about the image, she says she’s always been inspired by trees. She played under them often as a child and they filled her with wonder. “I would imagine what it would be like if hearts fell off of them instead of leaves or what if they were blue or red. I had a wild imagination,” Woods says.

But she also believes trees are a hopeful image. “In winter, when there are no leaves, you see the small shoots coming, and you know it’s time to start over again.” — Jane Schneider

Make-A-Wish holiday cards, $20/24 cards and envelopes.
Contact Ashley Clark, 680-9474.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Columns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.