Attending the University of Chicago

I recall my initial introduction to The Courant was through a close friend who didn’t want to attend the interest meeting alone. Hesitantly, I tagged along, only to find myself fascinated by the meticulous procedure, professional interviews, and the officiality of it all. 

Ever since I was young, I have always been interested in pop culture and the current events of the world. Carrying this interest to my school community, I was determined to get involved in a way that would allow me to know the ins and outs of what was going on at our school. I quickly realized that becoming a writer for The Courant would allow me to satisfy this passion, and I signed up immediately.

I recall the excitement and anticipation that surrounded my first story assignment. I felt nervous conducting interviews with prominent people in our school, including the principal Mrs. Lipenholtz. Although nervous, I was set on showcasing my best. When my story got published, the pride and sense of achievement that came with it were unmatched. I couldn’t wait to start another story.

Throughout my career at The Courant, I was able to meet and speak with diverse student groups at school, from the marching band drum majors to the basketball team captains. With these interviews, I branched out and formed connections with all parts of the school. The Courant gave me the opportunity to gain an exclusive insight into the events and happenings that formed the foundation for our Commack community. Being a part of this organization also introduced me to an amazing group of hard-working writers who carry similar passions as myself. These past three years as a reporter and writer have taught me to be open-minded, precise, creative, and expressive. These influences will continue to stick with me as I graduate high school, to go on to college, and into my future endeavors.

As much as The Courant has had a large impact on my high school career, I would like to thank the people who also changed my experiences for the better at Commack High School. To my friends whom I cultivated deep connections with, thank you for creating lasting memories that I will cherish forever. To Dr. Pope and Mrs. Polanish, thank you for making math enjoyable- despite the extremely difficult subject of math itself, your classes were always my favorite to attend.

 To Coach Valdes, Coach DelliSanti, and the Varsity Badminton team, thank you for an amazing four years of playing my favorite sport; you taught me perseverance, teamwork, and grit. 

To Mr. Suchopar and Dr. Jeziorski, thank you for all your guidance and patience- I will forever miss cracking jokes and pranks with you and I’ll be sure to visit. 

To my Student Life family, thank you for shaping my absolute favorite part of high school. It was both an honor and a pleasure to leave a legacy on our community with a group like you all and I will miss you all so much. 

Lastly, to The Courant, thank you for fueling my passion for writing and community involvement. And to Mrs. Semple, thank you for making The Courant possible for me- I will always appreciate your dedication and understanding. I hope The Courant continues to grow into an even bigger organization and I cannot wait to visit the website again to read the stories of new writers! ◼️