Emma Hine '09

After graduating St. Andrew’s, I went to Washington University in St. Louis, where I majored in English and minored in writing. I spent my junior year abroad as a Visiting Student at Oxford University’s Keble College. In the fall of 2013, I moved to New York City to attend New York University’s Creative Writing Program—I received my Master of Fine Arts in poetry this January. I now work at the Academy of American Poets, where I help produce and maintain content for poets.org.

 

I’m so grateful for the teachers at St. Andrew’s—for their enthusiasm, dedication, and compassion. They taught me to read widely and deeply, to keep myself open to new perspectives and conflicting worldviews, and to find happiness and community through learning.

 

I feel very shaped by the breadth and depth of the reading lists in the Upper School English classes; those books, and the discussions surrounding them, are still my foundation as a reader. Ms. Horne worked with me on poems I wrote outside of class, which made me feel like a writer, not just a student. And Sr. Borges’ kind and silly guidance made St. Andrew’s a home.

 

Pay attention in your English classes—the teachers you have are amazing—and in all your other classes, too, since everything you learn will go on to inform your writing. Work on the high school literary journal or yearbook. Keep an eye out for opportunities like essay contests, literary journals accepting high school submissions, and summer creative writing classes. Research literary organizations in the area to see if they have any programs for teens. Follow Mr. Works’ advice and carry a writing notebook around with you everywhere.