Step aside, journalism students. The inaugural junior reporters have been chosen.
On the hot afternoon of Sept. 22, 8-year-old Connor Morgan of Talladega and 6-year-old Harper Adams of Auburn were invited to visit Jordan-Hare Stadium while the football team prepared for their game against LSU that night.
Here, it was revealed to the two that they had been selected to represent the Athletics department as junior reporters, where they will collaborate to film informative and entertaining videos -- inspired by NHL Chicago Blackhawks' Joey the Junior Reporter -- that revolve around Auburn athletics.
"They didn't tell my mom when it was going to happen," Adams said. "It was me and Connor and our parents, and they surprised us."
Connor and Harper were then able to explore the stadium and become familiar with the field as they posed for photographs.
Morgan and Adams were chosen for the position through their video submissions in the Junior Reporter Contest, where children ages 5-12 were asked to apply via YouTube anytime between Aug. 17 - Sept. 10.
"They were both very professional," said Cassie Arner, assistant athletic director for public relations."They were fun and had a great time with it."
Adams said Saturday on the field before the LSU game was her first time meeting Connor, but that it was not her first time in Jordan-Hare.
According to her mother, Jennifer Adams, the first-grader at Dean Road Elementary has been attending football games since she was 8 weeks old.
Adams said her mother was her inspiration for entering the contest and was her guidance in creating the video submission, which begins with an Auburn-themed collage and features Adams interviewing her father on topics ranging from Auburn football to marriage.
"I just wanted her to have fun," Jennifer said. "She is always doing videos at home. We have an iMac in the office that has Photo Booth, and she just makes up videos all the time. So when I saw the contest, I thought she would really have fun with it."
Jennifer said Harper enjoys performing for the family at home and that she often dances and models to her favorite song, Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe."
Arner said those in the Auburn Athletics Department feel Adams' playful personality will balance well with Morgan's knowledgeable professionalism.
She said Connor seemed to know about sports as much as most adults.
"They were different from each other, which will complement in the videos we'll make," Arner said.
Adams said even though the colorful cheerleaders and lively band are her favorite part about Auburn Athletics, she is most excited about using her position to speak with athletes to discuss topics such as homework and relationships.
The first project for Connor and Harper was to interview basketball and volleyball players Sunday, Oct. 21, for a Halloween package.
"We're very excited about both Connor and Harper," Arner said. "Their videos were impressive to our staff, and we're excited to see how they can present our team and staff through the eyes of a child."
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