Calhoun H.S. Student and Mom Appear In Documentary

Bellmore NY

19 April, 2021

1:02 PM

Description

MERRICK, NY — Sanford H. Calhoun High School junior Samantha Horowitz and her mother, Tara Notrica, have worked tirelessly the last three years to share Notrica's journey as a two-time stem cell and bone marrow transplant recipient. "Our goal is to provide messages of hope, courage, strength, perseverance andfortitude to others who may be going through their own personal struggles," explainedNotrica. As a result, they had the opportunity to turn their story — along with a productionteam — into a documentary, "Second Chance." The documentary has been entered into thefilm festival circuit and won multiple awards. It has been selected to screen in festivalsworldwide. "We won for 'Best Family Original Song and Composition' in the Garden State FilmFestival for 'Second Chance' Original Song co-written and recorded by me," explained Horowitz. Sanford H. Calhoun High School junior Samantha Horowitz (Matthew White/4th Coast Productions, Director, "Second Chance" documentary)A remote learner this school year, Horowitz has been singing since age four, eventually taking formal lessons and collaborating with songwriters and producers. Her motherassisted with songwriting and now the duo has created 11 songs. "Neither one of us had any songwriting experience until we decided to write anoriginal song with her vocal coach, Calhoun alum Robbie Rosen from 'American Idol,' basedupon a mother and a daughter switching roles whereby a daughter helps to care for hersick mom," Notrica said. Their first song, "Brave The Storm" is featured in the documentary. "We say, 'music has healing powers,'" explained Horowitz. Notrica is nearly three years post bone marrow transplant now and after facingvarious complications, she is recuperating at home under medical care. Information about the documentary can be viewed here.