By Morgan Bryce
Editor
Instead of hanging out with friends or playing video games like his peers, Smiths Station teenager Colin Scroggins spends much of his spare time is following and reporting on local or national news.
The 13-year-old Smiths Station Junior High student has been passionate about news for years, and recently launched his own Facebook page “Colin News and Weather” recently to share information with his followers.
“I love keeping people informed and having citizens ask me questions about the things I’m reporting on. It’s a lot of fun,” Colin said.
Colin’s mother Lori said her son has “always been outgoing” and “loved being around people” since his toddler years.
“As a family, we’d watch episodes of America’s Funniest Home Videos and Colin would go grab a microphone and sign off (like the host did) by saying, ‘good night, everybody!’” Lori remembered.
Passing by the scene of a house fire in 2013 sparked Colin’s interest in news.
Starting with Instagram and Twitter, Colin honed his fact-finding and interviewing skills and turned to Facebook Live earlier this year as a platform to disseminate news. Whether it is local or national in scope, he said he strives to be accurate, fair and kind in his reporting.
“I like covering it all from here to California to Canada if it’s breaking news,” Colin said.
While live streaming is his medium of choice to share news, Colin said he enjoys interviewing local business owners or figures like Mayor Bubba Copeland to write feature stories on “slow” news days. He has also reported on some of the tragic incidents that have taken place in Lee County this year – from the two police shootings to the March 3 tornadoes and the tragic deaths of Rod and Paula Bramblett.
Colin’s main inspiration is WRBL’s Elizabeth White, praising her for work earlier this year in covering “some of Lee County’s toughest times.”
This fall, Colin said he plans to contribute to Smiths Station High School’s Panther News Network and plans to further his journalism career as a student at Auburn or Columbus State after high school.
“I’ve given out so many hugs and loving comments to people that were affected by the storms in particular, and that’s when I realized that I want to do everything I can for this community. I want to be a reporter that cares for people and is there sharing their story in a kind, loving way in the best or worst situations,” Colin said.
With little to no assistance, Colin’s success and growth as a 13-year-old student journalist has been an amazing life path to see unfold, according to Lori.
“I never imagined it in a million years. I knew he was going to be smart and do well in school but I never dreamed he would have this motivation and drive and such a big heart for his community,” Lori said. “It blows my mind that he has such a sense of community.”
To view Colin’s work, like and follow his Facebook page. He posts frequently throughout the week.