sportsman and scholar | joshua horwitz
As soon as last year’s basketball season ended, Ladue High School senior Joshua Horwitz got to work preparing for the next one. While it was not made official at the time, Horwitz already had assumed a new role as one of the leaders on the team.
Despite this new recognition, the title of team captain is the only difference in Horwitz’s routine. Everything else about who he is as a basketball player remains the same, like his daily regimen: a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call and 200 practice shots. Every single day. No matter what time of year it is or how he feels, Horwitz continues to put in the hours for his team. “I just love working hard,” he says.
He doesn’t put forth this much effort for the recognition, only for his fellow teammates. But it’s his consistency
as an athlete and a student that earned him multiple accolades following his junior year at Ladue. In March, Horwitz earned the school’s Sportsmanship Award and All-Academic Award, an honor given to student athletes who maintain a 3.75 GPA or higher throughout the season.
While he doesn’t revel in titles, like being named team captain, he appreciates the off-season recognition. He sees it as a testament to the work he’s done behind the scenes, when the bright lights of the gym aren’t aimed in his direction. Horwitz says honors like the Sportsmanship Award are special not only for the personal achievement, but also for the impact they have on others.
“I appreciated the fact that I was recognized because it shows that besides being a decent basketball player, my character is rubbing off on other people,” Horwitz says. “It made me really proud.”
His character continues to shine this year. With the new basketball season less than two months away, Horwitz leads his team through off-season workouts, which include instructions on how to pick each other up in difficult times. “If we have support for one another, I think that can really help us succeed,” he says.
Sisters Hannah, Grace and Rachel Li were each first-place winners at the Missouri State Music Competition in Springfield earlier this year. The oldest of the sisters, Hannah, a freshman at Parkway Central, won first place in the state for piano solo and for duet with Ladue High School student Lilly Tung. The recent achievement marks her fourth consecutive state title at solo.
Rachel, a sixth-grader at Parkway Central Middle School, and Grace, a fifth-grader at Green Trails Elementary, earned first-place awards in duet and each earned a second-place finish in solo piano.
Hannah’s accomplishments go beyond the state competition. She is the youngest participant in the Preparatory Program at Webster University’s Community Music School and a two-time medalist at the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati. She says learning about music through various pieces inspires her to continue practicing her craft, and she values the experience that comes with competing. “It gives you a chance to really fine- tune your piece and receive feedback on how you play,” Hannah says.
Rachel and Grace look up to Hannah, both as a competitor and a sister. She is known to take care of her younger siblings. “I look up to Hannah because she is good at both piano and violin, and I can learn from her,” Grace says.
The Li sisters have a combined 21 years of experience, and Hannah leads the way with 10. In addition to the piano, each Li sister plays a second instrument: Hannah and Grace both play the violin, and Rachel plays the cello. They all note that while they love practicing their instruments and competing, they still find time to enjoy a good book, swim or go for a run.
talk to … gabby hurd
Gabby Hurd, a fifth-grader at Central Christian School, is not the most experienced reporter on the block, but she is certainly one of the most ambitious. Originally a creative writer who loves nonfiction and historical themes, Hurd gained a love of journalism after writing for her school newspaper— and she’s already earning accolades. Hurd was named one of 12 reporters out of 300 applicants for Time for Kids, a publication written by students for students that reaches nearly 4 million readers from kindergarten through 12th grade.
How did you hear about Time for Kids?
I applied for Scholastic News, but I missed the deadline. So I did Google searches and found Time for Kids. I asked my parents if I could do it, and they supported me. I went through the application process and about two weeks later, my dad got an email saying I was a finalist, one of 30.
What are your responsibilities as a Time for Kids reporter?
I just had an assignment that I got on Tuesday, and it was due on Thursday. And I had to write a debate article on why we should have report cards.
Is there a certain area you would like to write about in the future?
I really would like to write about the environment, and I would enjoy politics as well.
How will you manage being both a student and a news reporter?
Well, I’m a little bit nervous, but I think I can handle it, as long as I keep everything balanced!