Lauren Horn, a ninth grade Plainedge High School honors student, wrote an essay that won her the top award in the ym/American Idol Movie contest: an all expenses paid trip to the Miami set to interview American Idol stars Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini.

A self-proclaimed American Idol fanatic since viewing the first episode of the show last summer, Lauren said she never expected to meet her own personal idols, Kelly and Justin, face to face. "I didn't even know people actually won those things!" she said.

Lauren's essay, selected from over 1,000 entries, detailed why she was American Idol's biggest fan, and why she should be chosen to win the trip. It included a selection of interview questions and mentioned her Justin Guarini website.

Lauren spent Feb. 7 on the Miami Beach set where the final dance number from the film musical, From Justin to Kelly, was being shot. She interviewed both Kelly and Justin, and several members from the cast and crew.

"The entire cast and crew of the movie was like one big family," Lauren said. "They were all very nice to me and treated me like I had been with the entire crew on the set for weeks. It was a young crew, and a party atmosphere.

Lauren will be using the interviews to write an article about her experience on the set with Kelly and Justin. The article will appear in the May issue of ym Magazine, which hits newsstands April 1, 2003.

Lauren said that, even though she has met other celebrities before, she was very nervous about doing the interviews with the American Idol stars. "When I first walked on the set and saw Justin Guarini, I could hardly believe he was standing in front of my eyes," she said. "When I was introduced to him and we started talking, I felt more comfortable. As we kept talking, it got much easier."

Lauren called the stars "down to earth," and compared them to cousins she hadn't seen in a long time.

An aspiring writer/English teacher/lawyer, Lauren credited many of her Plainedge teachers for helping her to become a better writer. "My second grade teacher Mrs. Hopkins, my sixth grade English teacher Mrs. Jablon, my eighth grade English teacher Ms. Freece, and my current English teacher Ms. Mosca have promoted the importance of writing to succeed in life."

Has Lauren been following American Idol 2? "Of course." Her favorite contestants so far are Josh Gracin and Clay Aiken. "My friend Kim and I spend every commercial break on the phone evaluating each contestant's performance. Simon's got nothing on us!"