Pick Up a Great Read

By Janiece Jackson

Senior Staff Writer

A Perspective on Horizons

Intrigued by Inquirer? Shocked by Star? Perplexed by People? Now it’s time to get hooked on Horizons. Not only will you find juicy, humorous, and scandalous topics within the pages of HCC’s own newspaper, you’ll also be enlightened with useful and essential information for your everyday student life.

“I can’t recall the amount of times that I’ve walked past the newspapers stands in the HCC entrances and thought to myself, ‘Why would I ever read Horizons?’” said Ana Stom, an HCC student. “Until one day when I found myself with a little extra time between classes; I was surprised to find so many interesting topics and important information as I read.”

Like Ana, many students are unaware of Horizons’ contents, and the work that each staff member puts forth in order to provide HCC with a newspaper bursting with essential and interesting information.

Horizons is put together by HCC students, some of which are a part of the HCC Journalism program and others who simply have a passion or an interest in writing and reporting. Professor of English Steve Mark is the advisor for Horizons. One thing is certain when putting together each issue of Horizons, teamwork is essential.

“The best thing about working for Horizons is the interaction with other reporters. The staff at night has always been a tight family no matter how many new students we have in class,” said Joe Merva, Arts and Entertainment editor for Horizons. “That has a lot to do with the teacher, Steve Mark. He makes the reporters feel comfortable and his personality and style carries on to his editors, which we use to help reporters.”

Although Mark provides support and guidance during scheduled class meeting times, it is the writing staff that presents story ideas, the Horizons editors who decide which topics are best suited for each issue, and the class and staff as one body who ultimately, and productively put together each issue for the enjoyment and enlightenment of the HCC student body.

Horizons consists of Editorials, News and Informative pieces, Sports articles, Art and Entertainment reviews, and even a few fun little interactive reads and activities throughout the pages.

Sun setting on the Horizons. Photo by Janiece Jackson

Each staff writer is given about a two week time-period to present well-balanced, well-written articles for each issue. During that time, staff writers work independently with assistance from editors and the advisor.

“Nothing makes me happier than when I’m going over an article with a reporter, and what I am explaining to them clicks,” said Cody Quinn, Horizons’ Editor-in-Chief. “They then discuss with me how to make certain adjustments, and I feel like when I leave them they are better for the experience.”

“How does the staff decide what exactly will go into the paper?” asked Brooke Mohajerin, an HCC student. “Who determines what’s important enough for each issue?

Before each issue is put together, all of the staff writers propose one or more topics that they would like to write about. Shortly after the proposals are submitted, all of the editors gather and review each proposal and decipher which are best suited for each issue based on timeliness, and its relatable nature to readers.

“There are always interesting articles in the paper but it would be nice to see more health related articles,” said Liz Carlino an HCC student. “Being that I am a nursing student I relate more to those articles.

Although the Horizons staff tries their best to include as many essential and relatable articles in each issue, there are still topics of all sorts that readers would like to see addressed more frequently.

“The sports sections are never long enough,” said Brandon Mish, an HCC student. “The articles are always on point; there should just be more of them.”

The pressure is always on for the Horizons staff with the commencement of each writing process. Presenting a completed issue of Horizons is never an easy task.

“I remember how difficult it was to put together each issue of our paper when I when I was a staff writer at Southern Connecticut State University,” said Marina Candelaria, an HCC student and former SCSU student. “The good thing about Horizons is that there are more topics to approach because of the school’s location.”

For students who are interested in writing for Horizons in future semesters it would be a great idea to visit their advisor and express their interest in HCC’s journalism program. Passionate and innovative writers are always welcomed to join the Horizons staff.

So next time you find yourself with a little extra time on your hands, please feel free to grab the latest issue of HCC’S own newspaper. Don’t hesitate, this great read is certain to broaden your Horizons.