Alki Elementary School's 10-year-old Vanessa Radke is one of 16 semi-finalists on the TODAY show's "Kid Reporter Contest" and will appear on the show Oct. 19, on KING 5. Radke was a 2008 Hi-Yu Junior Princess.

"Vanessa has a very bubbly and charismatic personality," said Tim Winston, president of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival. "She sang with her grandmother at our Spring Tea and Auction at Fauntlery Hall last spring."

Performance seems to run in the family. Radke's father is H.B. Radke, of the popular jazz band HB Radke & the Jet City Swingers. His father Fred performed with the Harry James Orchestra.

"I am so amazingly proud of my little girl," said Vanessa's father. "She had a clear goal and did what she needed to do to reach it. I hope the rest of the city gets behind her and votes!"