Alki Elementary student Vanessa Radke to be on national TV

10-year-old Vanessa Radke of West Seattle gets to “skip school on Monday,” as her mom Sara Satterlee put it, for what you’d probably agree is a good reason — she’s flying to New York to be on NBC’s nationally broadcast TODAY show. Sara says her daughter – an Alki Elementary School student and former West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Princess – has made it to the final 16 in the show’s “Kid Reporter” contest, and will be interviewed live on the show Monday. Contestants were asked to put together a video report and mail it in; we asked Sara about Vanessa’s entry:

Her submission was videotaped with her father a few weeks down at Alki Beach. She did a quick one minute bit on how to conserve water. The video starts out with her intro about water with the back drop being Puget Sound on the sandy shores of Alki Beach. She then cuts to her in her grandma’s kitchen telling her viewers that there are just three simple steps everyone could follow that could help everyone. Scene fades to her brushing her teeth, and her explaining the importance of tuning off the water while brushing It then fades into a dishwashing session and Vanessa tells her audience that they need to fill the sink, turn off the water, wash the dishes, and then rinse. For the final few scenes it is apparent from her wet hair and that she is wrapped up tight in a robe that she is fresh out of the shower. As she walks across the living room she describes to her viewer that by cutting your shower back by only one minute, saves water. As she wraps up her video she recaps how three simple steps can help so much.

Sara says a producer interviewed Vanessa by phone yesterday and then extended the invite to them to fly to NY for the show – they’re flying out Sunday, then returning right afterward on Monday. You’ll get the chance to vote for her to make it to the next round: Checking TODAY online, looks like this is the second week they’ll be featuring a group of four semifinalists on Monday, opening the voting by text message, then announcing the winner from that group on Wednesday; then in early November there’ll be another round of voting after the group of finalists is set. Besides getting to report for TODAY, the winner gets a Caribbean cruise. (Here’s the first group of semifinalists from last week; an Oklahoma girl got the most votes in that group.) TODAY airs on KING 5 here in Seattle, 7-11 am weekdays (we’ll be checking to see what time Monday you’re likely to see Vanessa).

16 Replies to "Alki Elementary student Vanessa Radke to be on national TV"

  • GAnative October 15, 2009 (9:56 am)

    YAY VANESSA!!! We’ll be recording the show on Monday!!!

  • Cami October 15, 2009 (10:04 am)

    That’s great!

  • Robert October 15, 2009 (10:36 am)

    Is she the daughter of Bill Radke/KUOW ?

  • CB October 15, 2009 (10:48 am)

    You go girl!

  • Tiara Andress October 15, 2009 (11:04 am)

    Her dad is HB Radke, local singer/performer. Go Vanessa, “go green!” :)

  • beachdrivegirl October 15, 2009 (11:21 am)

    Wow!! Very cool- great work Vanesssa! :)

  • Jim October 15, 2009 (11:58 am)

    Grand daughter of Fred Radke. Local Band leader and Musical director of the Harry James Orchestra. First time I met HB he was barely a teenager directing his own big band “HB and Friends”. Way to go Vanessa!

  • jbar October 15, 2009 (3:48 pm)

    HB & band played at my wedding…he was fantastic. Good luck to Vanessa!

  • Ann October 15, 2009 (5:47 pm)

    Lost: Wallet the night of Oct. 14 I think at the West Seattle All Star club. It’s red with a white cat on it. If found, please email me at:ann.adachi@gmail.com. Thanks!

  • WSB October 15, 2009 (5:56 pm)

    Hi there – best place for lost and found is our forum.
    https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum
    .
    Good luck getting your wallet back! – TR

  • dufus October 15, 2009 (7:32 pm)

    Yeah Vanessa and Alki Elementary!

  • Uncle Mo October 16, 2009 (10:53 am)

    Don’t forget me when your famous . . .on Monday! I’m so proud of you! Good work to Poppa B as well.

  • Susan Kohten October 16, 2009 (12:43 pm)

    I have had the pleasure of meetng Miss Vanessa becuase I work for her grandfaher, Dave Satterlee, she is a delighful young lady. I wish her all the best.

    Sue

  • Francine Teel October 18, 2009 (8:34 am)

    Vanessa,

    I am so excited for you!!! I have everyone I know us voting for you!!!!

    I knew I’d see your name in lights someday…;) – Francine (your dad’s sister) :)

  • Tiffany Kosa October 18, 2009 (11:48 pm)

    Awesome, I love HB Radke and the Jet City Swingers!

  • Junimuni October 19, 2009 (11:45 pm)

    Hi, Vanessa~
    I knew your mom when she was your age. She was a delight, and so are you. I saw your terrific video report and think you are headed for stardom! Congratulations!
    Junimuni

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