Fifth-grader in final round of TV contest
Jack Hennessy is headed for the final four.
After competing Monday in the semifinal round of the Kid Reporter Contest on "The Today Show," the 10-year-old budding journalist from Naperville was on his way to New York on Wednesday afternoon, his second trip to The Big Apple in less than a week. He hopes to come out on top and return once more, for a guest co-hosting engagement with morning regulars Meredith Viera and Matt Lauer.
(Jonathan Miano/Staff Photographer)
Jack, a fifth-grader at SS Peter and Paul Parish School, prevailed in last Monday's round, in which he competed with three other contenders for the preliminary top spot.
"I was kind of nervous, but it was more fun, to see the set," he said shortly before leaving home again. "I learned a lot of things about the set. I thought it was just one big room that they sat in, but really it's just one little corner where there's a couch."
Jack's winning entry this week featured his backyard vegetable garden, his first experience in raising food.
He was pretty excited to make the return trip, which will see him spending all of Thursday, along with the three other finalists — two kids from Oklahoma and one from Tennessee — working with producers on fresh video pieces that will air in the final round next Monday.
He expects his second national TV appearance will be a little less stressful.
"Since I've been on it once, I kind of know what to expect," he said. "So I don't think I'll be as nervous."
Voting will take place after the show at www.todayshow.com.
