The Article below was published in Vol. 135, Issue 4 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on December 6, 2019
When Foresters return from Winter Break, 36 of their fellow classmates will have graduated in December and be new members of the Forester alumni family. One of these December graduates is Sangjun Hornewer ‘20, a communication major and journalism and Spanish minor from Gurnee, Illinois.
In addition to serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Stentor, Hornewer was on the Women’s Varsity Soccer Team (#10), worked as a tutor in the Writing Center, was a part of the Peer Navigator program, was selected a Gummere Fellow, and was named a member of the Lake Forest College Senior 25. She was also honored with membership in Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Honor Society.
Stentor staff interviewed Hornewer about her time with the newspaper and her plans after graduation.
Stentor: Why did you join the Stentor?
Sangjun: I joined the Stentor because I believe that education diffused through writing will always play a crucial role in our lives. Also, becoming more involved on campus through the newspaper was a great opportunity for me to develop my skills and meet new people.
Stentor: When did you join the Stentor and what was your first role on the paper?
Sangjun: I joined the Stentor during the first semester of my sophomore year, and my first role was Opinions Section Editor.
Stentor: What was the first article you worked on?
Sangjun: The first article I worked on was published in the Opinions Section and titled “How to avoid stress at the beginning of the semester.”
Stentor: What was the most memorable article you worked on?
Sangjun: During the second semester of my sophomore year, my second semester working for the Stentor, I transitioned to the role of Associate Editor. I wrote a multi-faceted article about an art project that senior Kanoe Montaño ’18 installed around campus that raised controversy about the College’s mission statement. Working on this topic stands out to me because it was one of the first articles I needed to do extensive research for, as it involved several groups on campus. In addition, these articles played a large role in helping me learn how to balance a variety of perspectives.
Stentor: What was your favorite part about being Editor-in-Chief?
Sangjun: My favorite part of my role as Editor-in-Chief over the past year and a half was being part of all the steps that contributed to having the final product in my hands. From brainstorming articles to proofreading/editing to writing my own pieces, each step of the process is integral to serving the campus community and keeping everyone informed.
Stentor: What will you miss most about working on the Stentor?
Sangjun: One aspect of journalism that I really enjoy is being in the know about what’s going on as it’s happening. The behind-the-scenes work is a process that I’ve always liked being part of, and delivering a product that is both informative and educational for the readers is so satisfying.
Stentor: What will you miss most about Lake Forest College?
Sangjun: I will miss being in an academic environment surrounded by people who helped me grow. I’ve learned something from every course I’ve taken, every person I’ve met, and every situation I’ve found myself in at this institution, and while I’m eager to find out what the world has in store for me, I cherish the experiences I’ve had at Lake Forest College.
Stentor: What are your plans after graduation?
Sangjun: While nothing is set in stone at the moment, I’m looking forward to traveling with my family and entertaining a few different exciting opportunities. One thing’s for sure: whatever path I choose in the coming months, my experience as part of the Stentor will contribute to my future and ongoing development.
We at the Stentor wish Sangjun the best of luck in her future endeavors, and we hope to see her around campus when she comes back to visit. We welcome Emma G. Overton ’22 as Editor-in-Chief and Ellerese Topacio ’21 as Managing Editor.
