Dear Horizon staff,
If my younger self was asked about her interest in reading and writing, the conversation would have gone something like this: “Read? No, I want to build LEGOs! Write a story? No, that is so boring!” Back then, I had no interest in the humanities (and honestly, they are still not my favorite, but I have grown to appreciate them more). My passions were firmly rooted in math and science; I always knew that I wanted to be an engineer. I loved building, designing, and taking things apart. I still do. But thanks to Horizon, I discovered something new: journalism.
I remember filling out the high school course selection sheet back in eighth grade. My top elective choices were science research and robotics. For my third option, I thought I would try something new and picked journalism. The course description mentioned the school newspaper, which sounded cool. Still, I did not get placed in the class, so I figured that was the end of that endeavor. Then came freshman year, when Mrs. Sanders told my English 9H class about Horizon. I was interested and actually wanted to attend a meeting, but as a quiet and shy individual, I could not imagine interviewing others or all the writing. So, I did not join, until months later, when my friend (and fellow editor) Miranda Mangru dragged me to a meeting–and I am glad she did.
Now, three years later, Horizon has become one of my favorite extracurricular activities. It has helped me grow as a writer, editor, reader, and communicator–and even more importantly, it is where I met some of my best friends. My enthusiasm for movies and Broadway shows inspired me to write for the Arts & Entertainment section, and I really enjoyed being the A&E managing editor this year. Even though journalism is not my future career path, the skills and experiences I have gained from Horizon are invaluable and will help me a lot as I pursue a career in engineering. As I now prepare to head 1,800 miles away for college and step into this new chapter of my life, I think I am ready. And Horizon is a big reason why.
To the new staff, congratulations on earning your positions and all the hard work you have done so far. Do not be intimidated by interviews–they helped me become more confident and comfortable communicating with others, and they can help you, too. Be open to trying new things. Write for different sections, explore topics outside your comfort zone, always communicate with your fellow staff members, and never hesitate to ask for help. And to anyone who is like I was–on the fence about joining Horizon or any other club–just give it a try. Even if you are unsure, or think writing is not your thing, stepping into something new can help you learn and discover your passions. And remember, it is never too late–I joined during the middle of my sophomore year. Thank you to the entire Horizon staff and Mrs. Sanders.
Sincerely,
Stacey Krivitsky
