Student journalist covers DNC like the professionals

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DENVER – Gabi Curry strolls through Colorado Convention Center looking for her next press conference to cover. When she gets there, she says she's often met with disbelief.

"It's fun to watch how people react when they see me like, 'Are you serious, you're a reporter?'" said Curry, a 6th grader from Parker. "I'm actually reporting on the DNC and I'm 11."

Curry is one of four students chosen by the Denver Newspaper Agency for their outstanding writing skills. Curry, Haley Rogers, Bailey Cross, and Alan Campbell are all covering the DNC alongside a mentor.

"I'm not sure who's pulling who in which direction," said Dana Plewka, mentor for Curry. "She's pretty focused on what she's trying to cover throughout the whole week."

Some of Curry's stories include coverage of Colorado's youngest delegate and Barack Obama's text message campaign. Tuesday, she was covering the DNC Women's Caucus which was celebrating the 88th anniversary of women's suffrage.

"What I want to write about is like a kid's point of view," said Curry.

Curry is experiencing all the DNC has to offer. She's bouncing from event to event, walking miles each day, and dealing with tight security.

"They haven't kept her out of anywhere," said Plewka. "It's kind of scary where they've been actually."

Curry says sometimes it's tough to ask a question while surrounded professional journalists from around the world.

"Sometimes, you get a little nervous and you kind of get like, you kinda get like everyone's gonna look at me," said Curry. "But, I think once you get over something, then you just keep going and going."

Plewka says Curry is not ready to stop.

"The confidence she exudes is something that I never could've dreamed of when I was 11 or 12 years old," said Plewka. "I've learned from her, just do it. Don't be afraid. Grab your pencil and just start writing."

Curry says writing just flows out of her hands. But, even with her talent and her experience at the DNC, she says a career in journalism doesn't interest her.

"Um, no. I want to be a nurse," said Curry. "I just recently went down to Juarez, Mexico, and the doctors there really inspired me and I just love helping."

Plewka says she's not disappointed in Curry's choice.

"Our main goal is to encourage kids to be good citizens and to be involved in democracy," said Plewka.

Curry says she's enjoying her time away from school to cover something that will be in history books later.

"I think it's going to mean a lot more to me when I'm older," said Curry. "It's just going to be fantastic to see (in books), I remember that."