Latest news with #Mairead
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This is the future kids want
This story originally appeared in , Vox's newsletter about kids, for everyone. . Earlier this year, I went to Career Day at my older kid's school. The experience was sometimes humbling — at an elementary school career fair, no one can compete with the firefighters — but it was also incredibly joyful. Hearing from kids about what they want to be when they grow up can be a balm for anxious times. Adults may be fearful for the future, kids are still dreaming and planning, figuring out the place they're going to inhabit in a world that's constantly changing. Yes, kids today will come of age in a time of climate change, war, and democratic backsliding — but they're also going to create new art, invent new technologies, and pioneer new policies that will make the world better and richer in ways we can't even imagine yet. With all this in mind, I asked a few kids — including some of the Scholastic Kid Reporters who have helped me out in the past — to tell me what they want to be when they grow up, and what changes they hope to see in the world. A selection of their responses, which have been condensed and edited, are below. If the kids in your life would like to weigh in too, you can reach me at I want to be a gymnastics teacher. I want to get married and have kids, maybe five. I want to go to France. I want to do ballet in France. I want to do anything I want. I want more kittens on the planet. I want everyone to have their own house with their own family. I want self-driving lawnmowers. I don't want people to eat chickens, who should be treated like a princess. —Mairead, age 8 During Covid, our math and science teacher would show us these videos about space. Those videos really inspired me. The idea that there might be life other than planet Earth was just really cool to me. Our universe is so big, there's so many places to explore, so many new things to learn. [As a Scholastic Kid Reporter, I wrote a story] about the total solar eclipse. I remember interviewing Mr. James Tralie. That was really cool, because he worked at NASA, but he was also an animator, and I also love art and drawing. From that experience, I learned being part of NASA and learning about space is not only about being a scientist or being an engineer, it's also about doing art, doing music, and just doing what you truly love related to space. When I was younger, I loved playing with Legos. I love building new things. I've learned a lot about being an aerospace technician or an engineer: building rockets, fixing issues related to space technology. I also love exploring. So being an astronomer is one of my dreams. I just don't think it makes sense that there's only one planet in our entire universe where there's life. I hope to find life on other planets in the future. —Aiden, age 13 I want to be a teacher because I see in my class a lot of different faces and colors of everyone, and I think it's going to be important to help other people grow like I grow in my school. In my class, I have people who are shy, people who need extra help, and people who are really smart, so I feel like getting education for everybody to reach the same [level] is going to be hard. —Kimaaya, age 8 I would like to taxidermy a lamprey eel. —Eleanor, age 6 Interviewing ukulelist James Hill as a Scholastic Kid Reporter and talking to him about music showed me that there are many different ways to play an instrument. On his ukulele, he doesn't just play a couple of chords — he makes creative musical sounds, even drumbeats. Talking with him inspired me to become a performer on the ukulele and guitar. Not to brag, but I feel like I'm very skilled with ukulele. I feel like if someone gave me a sheet of music, I could learn it and play it for them maybe the next day perfectly. My biggest goal is to experiment more with the notes and strings, learn some more tricks on it, and maybe someday make my own album. —Owen, age 12 I want to do research in politics or economics that could bring about real changes in our world. Growing up during the Covid pandemic, we were all stuck online. I was seeing a lot of stuff about the Black Lives Matter movement, lots of Instagram stuff about LGBT rights, there was the Trump administration, and it really got me curious about politics and social justice. I'm from Hong Kong as well, and in 2019 there were the protests that occurred about democracy. I'm really obsessed with the idea of preserving democracy, so I think that just pushed me further into reading more about politics. I think you could use the quantitative bit of economics and tie it into the qualitative bit of politics, and use data, like observing patterns and everything, and apply that to something that could cause change in the world. I think I would be studying politics and economics so that I could keep both doors open, depending on what I want to pursue in the future. Because I'm still 17. I'm not set yet, but I think both of these paths offer me the education, the knowledge to potentially bring impact. —Macy, age 17 Watching the Olympics, hearing about doing archery, and seeing pictures [inspired me to want to be an Olympic archer]. Last year, I started saving up for an archery bow, and now I have one. We go to archery club every Sunday. [I also want to be] a bat scientist. A few days ago, we went on a bat watch in the middle of the night. Have you heard of something called a bat detector? It's a little device, and it can intercept different kinds of bat calls with this little dial, and you turn it [to] different levels, and you can listen for bats. We were at this wood cabin, and there was a big light for the bugs, and the bats would quickly go for them. So we didn't really see them clearly, but we heard them very loud. [I want to] study about bats: what they eat, what size they are, and where they like to go and everything. —Flower, age 8 Your mom says you want to be an owl scientist. What makes you want to study owls? They're so pretty. What's your favorite owl? Snow owl. What do owls eat? Mice, rabbits, bugs, bats. … If I have a pet owl, and Flower has a pet bat… [trails off] —Tabby, age 4, Flower's sister A 4-year-old girl came to the US legally in 2023 to get treatment for a severe medical condition called short bowel syndrome. Now her family's legal status has been terminated, and she could die without access to care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will stop recommending routine Covid vaccines for healthy children, part of a series of policy changes that could mean kids can't access the shots, even if their families want them. Kids with autism can be at heightened risk of drowning, and traditional swim classes aren't always accessible to them. Now some nonprofits are stepping in to help. My older kid and I have been reading Hooky, a graphic novel about twin witches who miss the school bus one day and become embroiled in a variety of hijinks. Fair warning: Hooky was originally serialized and there is a lot going on. I have repeatedly had to admit to my kid that I am confused. This week I was on one of my favorite parenting podcasts, The Longest Shortest Time, talking about my experience getting a salpingectomy, a form of permanent birth control that can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer. You can listen here! Two weeks ago, I wrote about 'dry texting' and how teens use their phones to avoid in-person conflict with one another. Young people had a lot to tell me about this phenomenon, more than I could include in the original story. So I wanted to share what Gracelynn, age 12 and a Scholastic Kid Reporter, told me in an email: Gracelynn said online arguments can be more complex than in-person confrontation because 'when you are chatting online, they could copy and paste the text or media image and use it against you.' With in-person arguments, it's also easier for adults to overhear and intervene. Gracelynn also noted that even though her school uses GoGuardian software to keep kids off certain websites during the day, 'they still manage to pull off crazy things.' Thank you again to Gracelynn and everyone who talked to me for that story, and as always, you can reach me with comments or questions at
Vox
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vox
This is the future kids want
is a senior correspondent for Vox, where she covers American family life, work, and education. Previously, she was an editor and writer at the New York Times. She is also the author of four novels, including the forthcoming Bog Queen, which you can preorder here This story originally appeared in Kids Today, Vox's newsletter about kids, for everyone. Sign up here for future editions. Earlier this year, I went to Career Day at my older kid's school. The experience was sometimes humbling — at an elementary school career fair, no one can compete with the firefighters — but it was also incredibly joyful. Hearing from kids about what they want to be when they grow up can be a balm for anxious times. Adults may be fearful for the future, kids are still dreaming and planning, figuring out the place they're going to inhabit in a world that's constantly changing. Yes, kids today will come of age in a time of climate change, war, and democratic backsliding — but they're also going to create new art, invent new technologies, and pioneer new policies that will make the world better and richer in ways we can't even imagine yet. With all this in mind, I asked a few kids — including some of the Scholastic Kid Reporters who have helped me out in the past — to tell me what they want to be when they grow up, and what changes they hope to see in the world. A selection of their responses, which have been condensed and edited, are below. If the kids in your life would like to weigh in too, you can reach me at I want to be a gymnastics teacher. I want to get married and have kids, maybe five. I want to go to France. I want to do ballet in France. I want to do anything I want. I want more kittens on the planet. I want everyone to have their own house with their own family. I want self-driving lawnmowers. I don't want people to eat chickens, who should be treated like a princess. —Mairead, age 8 During Covid, our math and science teacher would show us these videos about space. Those videos really inspired me. The idea that there might be life other than planet Earth was just really cool to me. Our universe is so big, there's so many places to explore, so many new things to learn. [As a Scholastic Kid Reporter, I wrote a story] about the total solar eclipse. I remember interviewing Mr. James Tralie. That was really cool, because he worked at NASA, but he was also an animator, and I also love art and drawing. From that experience, I learned being part of NASA and learning about space is not only about being a scientist or being an engineer, it's also about doing art, doing music, and just doing what you truly love related to space. When I was younger, I loved playing with Legos. I love building new things. I've learned a lot about being an aerospace technician or an engineer: building rockets, fixing issues related to space technology. I also love exploring. So being an astronomer is one of my dreams. I just don't think it makes sense that there's only one planet in our entire universe where there's life. I hope to find life on other planets in the future. —Aiden, age 13 I want to be a teacher because I see in my class a lot of different faces and colors of everyone, and I think it's going to be important to help other people grow like I grow in my school. In my class, I have people who are shy, people who need extra help, and people who are really smart, so I feel like getting education for everybody to reach the same [level] is going to be hard. —Kimaaya, age 8 I would like to taxidermy a lamprey eel. —Eleanor, age 6 Interviewing ukulelist James Hill as a Scholastic Kid Reporter and talking to him about music showed me that there are many different ways to play an instrument. On his ukulele, he doesn't just play a couple of chords — he makes creative musical sounds, even drumbeats. Talking with him inspired me to become a performer on the ukulele and guitar. Not to brag, but I feel like I'm very skilled with ukulele. I feel like if someone gave me a sheet of music, I could learn it and play it for them maybe the next day perfectly. My biggest goal is to experiment more with the notes and strings, learn some more tricks on it, and maybe someday make my own album. —Owen, age 12 I want to do research in politics or economics that could bring about real changes in our world. Growing up during the Covid pandemic, we were all stuck online. I was seeing a lot of stuff about the Black Lives Matter movement, lots of Instagram stuff about LGBT rights, there was the Trump administration, and it really got me curious about politics and social justice. I'm from Hong Kong as well, and in 2019 there were the protests that occurred about democracy. I'm really obsessed with the idea of preserving democracy, so I think that just pushed me further into reading more about politics. I think you could use the quantitative bit of economics and tie it into the qualitative bit of politics, and use data, like observing patterns and everything, and apply that to something that could cause change in the world. I think I would be studying politics and economics so that I could keep both doors open, depending on what I want to pursue in the future. Because I'm still 17. I'm not set yet, but I think both of these paths offer me the education, the knowledge to potentially bring impact. —Macy, age 17 Watching the Olympics, hearing about doing archery, and seeing pictures [inspired me to want to be an Olympic archer]. Last year, I started saving up for an archery bow, and now I have one. We go to archery club every Sunday. [I also want to be] a bat scientist. A few days ago, we went on a bat watch in the middle of the night. Have you heard of something called a bat detector? It's a little device, and it can intercept different kinds of bat calls with this little dial, and you turn it [to] different levels, and you can listen for bats. We were at this wood cabin, and there was a big light for the bugs, and the bats would quickly go for them. So we didn't really see them clearly, but we heard them very loud. [I want to] study about bats: what they eat, what size they are, and where they like to go and everything. —Flower, age 8 Your mom says you want to be an owl scientist. What makes you want to study owls? They're so pretty. What's your favorite owl? What do owls eat? Mice, rabbits, bugs, bats. … If I have a pet owl, and Flower has a pet bat… [trails off] —Tabby, age 4, Flower's sister What I'm reading A 4-year-old girl came to the US legally in 2023 to get treatment for a severe medical condition called short bowel syndrome. Now her family's legal status has been terminated, and she could die without access to care. Kids with autism can be at heightened risk of drowning, and traditional swim classes aren't always accessible to them. Now some nonprofits are stepping in to help. My older kid and I have been reading Hooky, a graphic novel about twin witches who miss the school bus one day and become embroiled in a variety of hijinks. Fair warning: Hooky was originally serialized and there is a lot going on. I have repeatedly had to admit to my kid that I am confused. This week I was on one of my favorite parenting podcasts, The Longest Shortest Time, talking about my experience getting a salpingectomy, a form of permanent birth control that can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer. You can listen here! From my inbox Two weeks ago, I wrote about 'dry texting' and how teens use their phones to avoid in-person conflict with one another. Young people had a lot to tell me about this phenomenon, more than I could include in the original story. So I wanted to share what Gracelynn, age 12 and a Scholastic Kid Reporter, told me in an email: Gracelynn said online arguments can be more complex than in-person confrontation because 'when you are chatting online, they could copy and paste the text or media image and use it against you.' With in-person arguments, it's also easier for adults to overhear and intervene. Gracelynn also noted that even though her school uses GoGuardian software to keep kids off certain websites during the day, 'they still manage to pull off crazy things.' Thank you again to Gracelynn and everyone who talked to me for that story, and as always, you can reach me with comments or questions at
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Irish postmistress goes public after landing huge five-figure Lotto sum and declares ‘I'm over the moon with the win'
A KERRY postmistress was "over the moon" with her Lotto winnings of more than €30,000 this week. Mairead Doyle of Asdee celebrated after winning €30,570 in the main 3 Mairead Doyle celebrated after winning €30,570 Credit: 3 The lucky player celebrated the win with her brother and sister Credit: There were smiles all around Ballybunion, as the lucky player celebrated winning the main Lotto draw. Mairead won the jackpot after purchasing her winning ticket the day of the draw. After matching five numbers and the bonus, the Kerry native won a whopping €30,570. Since she won the draw on January 8, Mairead went to Lotto HQ in March to collect their prize. Read more in money Her winning Quick Pick ticket was bought from Cahill's SuperValu, Main Street, Ballybunion, Co. When asked about her Lotto luck she said: "I'm over the moon with the win – as you can tell! "I was a postmistress in Asdee for over 45 years, and everyday I'd be selling National Lottery tickets and Scratch Cards and of course chatting with customers about their dreams of what they would do if they ever won! "I've seen so many happy faces over the years as people collect their prizes from the Post Office, so it's been lovely to experience the same joy myself." Most read in The Irish Sun While Mairead has no immediate plans for the money she is having fun thinking of all the ways to spend it. She added that it's a lovely feeling for her to have options. We run 'world's luckiest shop' & have sold 3 winning lotto tickets in 6 months The long-serving Kerry An Her winning ticket was purchased from The Grove Service Station, Baylough, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. She told Lotto bosses, 'I've been playing the Lotto for years and I watch the draw every Wednesday and Saturday night. The family know it's my time to watch the draw and check my tickets - no interruptions are allowed!' How to play? So how do you actually play the Lotto? To be the next The Lotto is a simple and fun number draw game in which you can pick any six numbers from 1 to 47. At each draw six random numbers are drawn, along with one bonus number. Winning the jackpot requires players to match all six main numbers drawn. But other prizes can be won by matching at least two main numbers plus the Bonus Ball. 3 The winning spot was Cahill's Supervalue in Ballybunion Credit: TOP LOTTO WINS 28-Jun-08 Dan Morrissey Syndicate from Carlow claim Ireland's biggest ever win of 18,963,441. 14-Apr-10 Waterford couple purchase their winning ticket at Easons store in Dungarvan Co. Waterford worth 16,717,717. 23-Oct-10 Dublin man wins massive jackpot with ticket bought at Donnybrook Fair in Dublin 4 worth 16,390,239 28-Jul-07 The Cunningham family from Cork City become Lotto multi-millionaires after buying their ticket at their local Centra store in Farranree, Co. Cork. They won 16,185,749 26-Apr-08 Family from Co. Dublin share the mega jackpot with a lucky ticket from Rowlagh Newsagent in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 worth 15,658,143. 12-Mar-08 Kildare couple buy their life-changing ticket in Tesco, Newbridge Co. Kildare worth 14,543,033. 18-Apr-09 Dublin couple purchase their winning ticket at the Spar store in Glenageary, Co Dublin worth 14,530,193. 26-Mar-11 Two separate players in Cavan and Cork each share the jackpot of 14,037,236. 23-Jan-16 Winning ticket purchased at Carey's store in Belmullet, Co Mayo worth 13,793,435. 22-Dec-07 Winning ticket sold at News & Choose store in in Loughrea, Co Galway worth 13,295,379. 27-May-09 Dalkey Post Office, Co. Dublin sells the lucky winning ticket worth 13,150,324. 01-Sept-21 It could be you!€13 Million (EST)
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kerry postmistress who 'spent everyday selling Lotto tickets' scoops huge prize
A long-serving postmistress from Co Kerry who sold National Lottery tickets everyday for 45 years is celebrating after scooping a huge Lotto prize. Mairead Doyle from Asdee, bagged a cool €30,570 after matching five numbers and the bonus in the main Lotto draw from January 8. Mairead bought her winning Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw from Cahill's SuperValu on Main Street in Ballybunion, Co Kerry. Mairead has since returned to mark the occasion with her family and the local team who sold her the ticket. With no immediate plans for the prize, Mairead is having great fun thinking about what she might do with her winnings – and says it's a lovely feeling to have options. Speaking in Ballybunion, Mairead said: 'I'm over the moon with the win – as you can tell! I was a postmistress in Asdee for over 45 years, and everyday I'd be selling National Lottery tickets and Scratch Cards and of course chatting with customers about their dreams of what they would do if they ever won! "I've seen so many happy faces over the years as people collect their prizes from the Post Office, so it's been lovely to experience the same joy myself!' Mairead isn't the only Lotto player celebrating a big win as an Athlone woman claimed her prize of €32,406 after successfully matching 5 numbers in the main Lotto draw on April 2. Her winning ticket was purchased from The Grove Service Station in Baylough, Athlone, Co Westmeath. 'I've been playing the Lotto for years and I watch the draw every Wednesday and Saturday night. The family know it's my time to watch the draw and check my tickets - no interruptions are allowed!' she laughed. While the Lotto player has no immediate plans to spend, she's looking forward to taking care of her family and celebrating together in the future. There could be more celebrations on the way as Wednesday's Lotto jackpot is set to roll to an estimated €5.5 million. National Lottery players dreaming of becoming the 7th Lotto jackpot winner of the year are reminded that tickets for tonight's draw can be purchased in-store, through the National Lottery app or at ahead of the 7.45pm cut off.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
North Kerry woman ‘over the moon' following lotto win
Kerryman Asdee woman Mairead Doyle was without a dount the single happiest person in North Kerry this week as she celebrated winning a cool €30,570 in the National Lottery's main draw in which she matched five numbers and the bonus number back on January 28 of this year. The long-time postmistress, who spent an incredible 45 years serving her local community, made the trip to Lotto HQ in March to claim her prize. Mairead picked up her winning Quick Pick ticket at Cahill's SuperValu on Main Street in Ballybunion on the day of the draw and she has since revisited the store with her family to commemorate the moment and thank the local staff who sold her the lucky ticket. While she hasn't decided how to use the prize just yet, Mairead said that she is enjoying the thrill of dreaming about what she can use the money on – and says it feels great to have options. Speaking from Ballybunion, Mairead Doyle said: 'I'm over the moon with the win – as you can tell! I was a postmistress in Asdee for over 45 years, and everyday I'd be selling National Lottery tickets and scratch cards and of course chatting with customers about their dreams of what they would do if they ever won! I've seen so many happy faces over the years as people collect their prizes from the Post Office, so it's been lovely to experience the same joy myself!' Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to good causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish language. In total, more than €6.5 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 37 years ago. In 2024 alone, €239.3 million was raised for local good causes in communities across Ireland.
