Staff Q&As: Hailee Sincerbeaux

Grade: 12

Position: Staff Writer

Semesters spent on TCT: 1

1. Why did you decide to join TCT?

“I decided to join TCT because I have always had a passion for writing and I wanted to take a class in which I could have the opportunity to write about topics that I care about. I also decided to take the class due to the feedback that I heard from others who had or who were currently taking the class. Everyone who had taken the class said that it was such an amazing environment to be in and that, in general, it was a lot of fun.”

2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person?

“Through taking TCT, I have been able to learn about a variety of types of writing. Prior to taking the class, I would have never known what a column or editorial was. But, through taking the class, I was given the opportunity to learn about what makes each type of writing so unique. I have also learned to increase the quality of my writing. While I am writing an article, I am constantly asking myself if what I am saying will encourage the reader to continue reading. This is something that I would have never thought of prior to taking the class because we, as students, are so accustomed to being given topics by our teachers to talk about in our writing; therefore, I never really worried about how entertaining the piece was, but rather if it covered all of the necessary material and was sophisticated enough to earn a good grade.”

3. If you were a type of cheese, what type of cheese would you be?

“If I were a cheese, I would be either goat cheese or an almond cheese because I am lactose intolerant.”

4. What is your favorite thing about writing?

“I love the freedom that is involved in writing. Even if you are given a topic, you have the ability to think outside of the box within that topic and discuss something that someone else may not have thought of. It enables you to be creative with your thoughts, as well as transform an idea in your head into words and make something beautiful.”

5. What’s your funniest story of complications while working on a story?

“One of the funniest complications I had while writing a story was when I was reviewing the movie Doctor Sleep. I remember walking out of the movie theater highly confused about what I had just watched and was kind of panicking about how I was going to write a well-written review about it. When I wrote the review and gave it to my editors, I flat out told them that I was confused about the movie and that if it reflected in my review that that was why. They both then told me that it, in fact, did show, and I had to rework a lot of the story to make it work. It wasn’t the funniest event, but I thought it was pretty funny because I was panicking about it so much.”

6. Who’s your favorite literary character and why?

“I love Jane from the novel Jane Eyre. I love the fact that Charlotte Bronte was able to construct a story that reflected her real-life experiences through Jane. I also thought that it was amazing how at that time period, Jane was such a strong female character which was highly uncommon. There is such a strength about her that is so powerful. She was living in a horrid situation but she was able to overcome it and find real love and happiness.”

7. What is your favorite type of story to write and why?

“I enjoy writing columns the most out of all the styles of writing. I find that they are the freest in terms of what you are able to talk about. There are no rules when writing columns, which I find to be so beautiful. They provide an outlet for many to express their thoughts and emotions, which is not present in the other types of writing.”

8. What are your aspirations for the upcoming decade?

“My aspirations for the upcoming decade are just to be happy and not worry about the small things in life. I also hope that through this decade I am able to grow as a human being and learn from my mistakes.”