Born: April 29th 1991
Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota
Education: Marshall Highschool, majoring in Journalism, minor in Writing at Ithaca College
Interests: Reading, science magazines, writing, cooking, science fiction and fantasy, Glee, and the musical stylings of Journey
Activities: Writes for 360 Magazine, involved in Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) and Habitat for Humanity
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| Elyse's favorite author |
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| An influential cartoon |
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| At the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade The 500 Qualities of Elyse Hornstein The girl sitting across from me leaned forward excitedly, her wavy red hair rustling eagerly, “It depends on whether or not I have a book that I’m obsessed with, if I have a book I’m obsessed with, I’ll read for ten hours”. She went on to animatedly explain how the book selection at the campus library was so thin and barren that she was forced to read Shakespeare after finishing off her personal collection. The excitement radiating from Elyse Hornstein on a cold November afternoon is just the tip of the iceberg of her passion and thirst for knowledge, an aura that infects all those around her and translates perfectly to her future profession. Several years ago, Elyse took a trip to New Orleans with her mother and Elizabeth Bolen, a close friend from school in her hometown of Duluth, Minnesota. Her mother was there for a teaching conference, so Elyse and Elizabeth were able to strike out on their own, walking around the port city, absorbing everything they could. As always, Elyse was sure to record every detail. “Elyse is excited about seeing the world and writing about what she observes,” Elizabeth comments about her literature engulfed friend, “She tends to see things that others [don’t], and she tends to think in very different ways than most people.” This critical thinking and writing demonstrates just how clearly the native Minnesotan is cut out for the role of journalist. The youngest of three daughters and the child of two college professors, Elyse was surrounded by creativity from an early age. Her love of words stems from her first and to this day her favorite author, Theodor Geisel, or Dr. Seuss, as he is more commonly known. “He saved me from ‘Dick and Jane’,” Elyse recalls gratefully, “and plus we think along the same lines.” After reading some of her work, it is clear that, although she does not share the Doctor’s maniacal fanaticism, her endless creativity knows no bounds. Sitting in on her Introduction to American Literature course, one can see Elyse’s mind in constant motion. She is always taking notes, jotting down things to herself, ideas spreading on the paper like spilled coffee. You could easily see her in the role of reporter, transposed from the small classroom into a magazine newsroom, still scribbling away. Consistently a day or two ahead of the assigned readings, she is quick to offer her opinions and interpretations on the literature, another quality that will serve her well in the dog-eat-dog world of journalism. Throughout her life, Elyse has found many outlets for her writing creativity. Her twenty one year old sister Katrina observes that she “hardly sees [Elyse] without her computer jotting something down”, and this is the case whether in class or on her own. A writer for the Ithaca College publication 360 Magazine, as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, there is no shortage of reading or writing in her daily life. “I love to write,” the Glee watching nineteen year old states simply, “and journalism is a compilation of everything that I love…it matches my tastes.” While the subject of journalism is still up in the air, there certainly is a clear front-runner: science. Maybe it is her subscriptions to National Geographic, Discover, and Popular Science, maybe it is her interest in environmental issues and sustainability, but whatever the cause, Elyse Hornstein loves anything to do with science. “I am still a total science nerd, I am, I love it, that will always be a draw to me and that is why I want to go into that sort of journalism” quips the self proclaimed science-fiction lover. With little science experience aside from a class titled “Oil, Gas, and the Future of Energy” that she will be taking in the spring semester, Elyse again is prepared to rely on her passion to see her through. But somehow, though the odds are stacked against her, one can easily see Elyse interning at the Olympics, or getting her dream job at National Geographic. Her positive energy, drive, and thirst for knowledge are like the winter flu, so contagious that one cannot help but feel that they can achieve anything that they set their mind to. Although Elyse states that her own greatest weakness is that she absorbs too much information without challenging it or questioning its authenticity, in some ways this is just as great a strength. As a journalist, being able to take in information and process it thoroughly is one of the most important facets of the job. Even though the lack of a critical eye could be worrying, Elyse, the woman with an extremely analytical eye for literature and the drive to get things right, has nothing to worry about. “She is very hardworking and passionate about writing,” Katrina says about her younger sibling, “[as well as being] extremely adventurous and independent, qualities I see as important in an aspiring journalist.” Ever since she opened her first Dr. Seuss over a decade ago, Elyse Hornstein has been writing. Writing to process her thoughts, writing to clear her mind, writing as art, or on assignment. Whatever it is, she pours her heart into it, the pen acting as an extension of her soul, baring all she has to offer. “And then there is that hazy someday, the future I don’t really have planned out that links right up to the last few years of college. It seemed so long ago that I looked at high school as the beginning of my life. Now it feels like preparation.” It is never certain what the future holds; how life’s path can deviate or flip with uncomfortable rapidity, but with her passion and hunger for knowledge, open mind, and creative brilliance, Elyse is already on her way to making her mark on the world. |
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"My favorite author of all time is Dr. Seuss because he saved me from 'Dick and Jane', and plus we think along the same lines." - Elyse Hornstein |
"She always seems to be on top of everything and even when she isn't, she never seems panicked or worried. She is always sweet and happy and handles stress or disappointment calmly and logically. It is nice to be around someone who is so level-headed." - Katrina Rachel Hornstein, Elyse's older sister
