Spotlight on Tatyana Bellamy Walker
A kid reporter who's making headlines.

Talking to movie stars at red carpet events, interviewing politicians on hot-button issues, getting a byline in the newspaper: These are not the activities of a typical 10-year-old girl. But who said Tatyana Bellamy Walker was typical?

As a star reporter for the youth media organization, Children’s PressLine (CPL), Tatyana has assumed responsibilities that will help her become a journalist. By the time she is ready to head to college, Tatyana will have had more than nine years of journalism experience working in the field.

Tatyana’s energy is apparent. “She has a sparkling personality,” says Ben Kelly, a college intern who worked with Tatyana this summer on a project with The New York Daily News. With her big smile and puffy round cheeks, Tatyana causes her fellow journalists to constantly fight the urge to hug her. Katina Paron, program director of Children’s PressLine, also notes Tatyana’s polite demeanor, which can seem strange in the casual office environment at CPL “After working here for two years, Tatyana cannot break the habit of calling me Ms. Katina,” Paron says. “At first it was off-putting, but now it’s endearing.”

Though Tatyana’s cuteness and politeness may be the first thing people notice about her, Tatyana’s dedication to her work is readily obvious as well. As a CPL reporter, Tatyana works with a team of kids like herself to research issues, write interview questions and conduct interviews with kids, teens and politicians. “She’s really a gifted child,” says Daniella Silva, an editor who worked with Tatyana at CPL. “The way that she carries herself is so sophisticated and mature. You just forget how old she really is.”

This past summer for The Daily News’ community newspaper Bronx Boro News, Tatyana worked on a story about how gay youth in the Bronx do not have equal opportunities. She considers this story to be one of her favorites. “We visited a gay pride center in the Bronx and talked to the youth there about how gay youth do not have enough places to go,” Tatyana said. “I think that doing this story can help kids know that there are people like them and that they’re not alone.”

Another story that Tatyana has worked on for The Daily News proves that she is more than just a cute little girl. It covered the toxic landfill at Pelham Bay Park. As part of the story, Tatyana and her fellow reporters interviewed a woman who lost her daughter to leukemia, and claimed that the Pelham Bay landfill was to blame. Without hesitation, Tatyana showed her fearless reporter roots: “What do you miss most about your daughter?,” Tatyana said while remaining calm and concentrated. The interviewee started to cry as she thought about her daughter and the possibility of other kids being exposed to the chemicals of the landfill. “It was a quiet cry,” Tatyana said, “but it meant so much to me.”

Tatyana first got involved in Children’s PressLine at the age of 8. CPL is a youth media organization that trains kids ages 8-18 to be reporters and editors. The program gives kids a chance to interact with and feature people they might not have the opportunity to meet.

In her experience at Children’s PressLine, Tatyana has interviewed more than 100 of her peers about different topics that affect youth. She has also interviewed her share of politicians, including New York City schools chancellor Joel Klein, whom she interviewed two years in a row. This past summer, Tatyana and a small crew of CPL reporters and editors had the opportunity to conduct a 40-minute sit-down interview with the chancellor. They grilled him on a variety of topics, from funding for public schools to the way in which special education students are labeled.

Tatyana was one of the few Children’s PressLine members to be chosen to go to Russell Simmons’ home for a red carpet event where she interviewed not only Russell Simmons but Kimora Lee Simmons, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.

Tatyan’s dedication to her work shines in her assignments, as well as in her personal life. Her mother, a single mom, works the night shift at Penn Station, and CPL is located about one hour from their Long Island home. Several times, Tatyana has stayed at Penn Station overnight in order to make it to CPL in time for an early morning interview. Still, both Tatyana and her mother show up each day with matching radiant smiles and a friendly word to say to everyone they encounter.

With all of her experience at Children’s PressLine, Tatyana hopes to pursue a career in journalism. “I want to be an anchor woman,” she says. “CPL has taught me how to be better rounded in journalism and to experience new things from other people. Kids think that they don’t have a voice. [CPL helps] kids get their voice out who can’t do it themselves.”

Reported by Elizabeth Negron, senior editor at Children’s PressLine.