Meet the kid behind 'Kids Say'
Each and every week, Daniel Island resident Søren Spina poses a question for our popular Kids Say series in The Daniel Island News. His queries often relate to a theme in the paper that week or to a particular news story. Since starting at the paper in 2014, Søren has asked over 100 questions and interviewed more than 600 kids in the community! Not only does Søren report the responses he receives, but he also takes photographs of each of his subjects. We thought that during this holiday season it would be nice to give Søren a break from his duties and ask him a few questions instead! Read below to see what he has to say about his Kids Say experiences and more.
Q: How old are you and what grade are you in?
I am 12 years-old and I’m in 7th grade at Daniel Island School.
Q: How long have you been the Daniel Island News Kids Say reporter?
I have reported for the DI News for two years.
Q: When did you move to Daniel Island? Where are you from originally?
I’ve lived on Daniel Island for exactly nine years. I’m from South Bend, Indiana.
Q: You have a very unique name, with an interesting spelling. Can you tell us the story behind that?
My name is Norwegian. My maternal grandfather is from and lives in Norway. The Ø is a vowel that’s unique to Scandinavian languages and my name is pronounced differently in Norway than it is here.
Q: What do you like best about doing Kids Say each week?
I like giving the members of our community a way to learn more about each other in an entertaining way.
Q: Is it tough getting answers? And if so, what do you do to help put your subjects at ease?
I often interview kids at Publix and if I don’t find enough subjects there, I ride my bike to parks and interview people there. Some people I approach don’t want to participate which is totally ok. I try to approach my subjects in a friendly conversational way. If they can’t think of an answer, I give them the choice to answer a question in the future.
Q: What has been your favorite question so far?
My favorite question was: What can you do to make your part of the world a better place?
That was my favorite because it really makes kids think, and it may even create positive change.
Q: What’s the best answer you’ve ever received?
I’ve received a lot of great answers but I loved the answer that Bella gave to the question “What’s the most annoying insect and why do you find it so irritating? Bella answered, “Wasps because they sting you. Also, they are disgusting because babies eat their way through the worms they’re in before they hatch.” I liked her answer because it was so descriptive and detailed.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working on your Kids Say interviews?
I love to play tennis. I take lessons at MW Tennis Academy and at the DI Club several days a week. I also like to participate in the DI Middle School drama performances, do karate, and hang out with my friends.
Q: What’s a Kids Say question you’d love to ask your subjects?
What college do you want to attend and why?
Q: What is one goal you’d really like to accomplish in 2017?
I’d like to greatly improve my kick serve in tennis!
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I can water ski, wake board and I just learned to snow ski! If anyone is interested in answering an upcoming Kids Say question, please contact the DI News at beth@thedanielislandnews.com. I’d love to interview you!