Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth.
YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them.
Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.
Any views or opinions expressed on this blog belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people or organizations that the blog may be associated with, unless explicitly stated. All content is for informational purposes only.
With finals coming up and the end of the school year approaching, it’s gift-giving time for a lot of students. And since nobody wants to add to their teacher’s cupboard filled with mugs, or to their best friend’s drawer of gift cards, finding the perfect gift is hard!
If you’re like me and you feel lost when it comes to heartfelt presents, or if you’re stuck on what to get someone you don’t know too well, this article for you.
You might even tackle the hardest people to send gifts to – fathers.
The Ultimate Tip: The Master of Presents
The most helpful tip that I’ve found is keeping a list in my Notes app that I’ve named “Master of Presents.” Inside, I’ve kept track of the names of each significant person that I might send a present to. Under each of their names I keep a checklist of possible things that I could get for them as a present. It’s a running, evolving list; every time someone talks about something they wish they could have, or when someone is complaining about something that could be easily fixable, I note it down.
It sounds like a lot of work, but it is ultimately such a lifesaver when birthdays seem to come out of nowhere or graduations spring up out of the blue. Time passes fast, but if you can keep a list running, you’ll never be lost for gift ideas. The best part is, the presents will seem extra thoughtful because you’ll have remembered something that they said they wanted or could have had.
Last Minute Gifts
Obviously since you’re reading this article, you don’t have a Master of Presents list and you’re in dire need of some last minute gifting ideas. Here are some generic presents by category; hopefully you’ll find something useful!
For Teachers
DO NOT ADD TO THEIR MUG/WATER BOTTLE COLLECTION. THEY HAVE ENOUGH MUGS TO STOCK EVERY SHELF IN THEIR HOUSE AND USE AS FLOWERPOTS.
gift card (yes, generic, but useful.)
try something a little more original than Starbucks. Indigo, perhaps?
jewelry
stationery (especially whiteboard markers)
funny pointers
baked goods
chocolate (careful with this one, they receive a lot of chocolate so at least get something nice)
thoughtful notes – they really do appreciate these when they’re heartfelt
For Graduating Students
nothing that says “Class of …” – they look so tacky when the year is over
tech (tablets, headphones, etc.)
tote bag
water bottles
stationery (also especially whiteboard markers)
gift cards for cafes or for coffee
snacks!
any compact “college essentials”
For Youth
headphones
wireless earbuds
tablet/iPad pencil
jewelry
books
gift cards
stationery (Japanese pencils are particularly popular gifts)
something that may align with one of their hobbies (ex. crochet hooks or yarn for a crocheter)
makeup
an analog watch (we need these for exams!)
a computer mouse
gadgets
an alarm clock
For Parents
…shame on you. Why are you even looking here? You should know what your parents like. JK. Sometimes I’m not sure what my parents want either.
be present. We often take our parents for granted; sometimes the best thing you can do is treat your parents for a meal and enjoy some time together.
food – cook for the people who cooked for you growing up
replace things that look worn.
This is the ULTIMATE Dad gift idea – a lot of fathers are quite practical and the only reliable thing to get them is to replace something that they already have, but looks old.
Plus, it shows you’ve been paying attention to what they’ve been up to!
Summer is fast approaching – for many of us it’s only a few exams away! – and many of us are looking to polish up those resumes. Whether for a part-time job or for university, here’s a comprehensive list of ideas you could take on this summer and the skills they show.
1. Volunteer
Always a lot of fun, volunteering is a classic resume builder that helps you contribute to the community while also learning interpersonal skills. So long as you choose a cause you’re passionate about, volunteering during the summer is incredibly rewarding.
Skills:
Leadership
Interpersonal communication
Customer Service (this is a big one!)
Peer Support
Community awareness
Advocacy
2. Passion Project
Such a broad idea, yet that’s what makes it so worthwhile. You can tailor a passion project for any person – pick a topic, research, conduct experiments – because it’s completely up to you. That having been said, you’ll need some discipline to stick to your own schedule, because it’s also very easy to give up on passion projects.
Skills:
Passion – especially if your project has to do with the job/position you’re applying to!
Discipline
Time management
Organization
Self-drive
Eagerness to initiate and take action
3. Intern/Work
This one is if you already have a position (unfortunately it’s too late to apply for most summer positions now). Take on those extra hours, make a bit of extra cash, and show your employers how valuable you are as an employee. You never know when you might need that reference!
Skills
Dedication
Discipline
Willingness to initiate
Time management
Ambition
Interpersonal communication
4. Pick Up (Or Continue) a Hobby
This one often surprises a lot of my peers, but a lot of employers and universities have seen the generic extracurriculars and want to see an activity that showcases who you really are as a person. Enter contests. Compete with other people who have the same niche hobby. Show who you are through your actions. Does this sound like a college brochure? Yes. But it really is true though (otherwise why would the admissions team put “be yourself” in every single brochure?), so you could take the summer to dive deeper into a hobby you already love!
Skills:
Excellence in [hobby] area
Passionate
Hardworking
Unique personality skills associated with your hobby (i.e. creative if you’re into pottery, logical and critical thinking if you’re into code or robotics, etc.)
5. Study
Every single top student I know does this at least a few weeks before school starts. Will you recall all the material during the school year? Probably not. But pre-studying material will give you a rough idea of what is hardest (i.e. which days you should not take bathroom breaks during class) and what is easiest (i.e. days it might be okay to doze off a little or pull an all-nighter before).
On June 7, 2025, thousands of students across the world signed up to take the SAT exam. This exam is well known all across the world, as it is one of the key components that are required for admission into many US universities.
What’s on the SAT?
So basically, the exam consists of an English section and a math section, with 2 modules in each. On the English section, its module has 27 questions – for a total of 54 in total. You get 32 minutes for each module, so test takers have about 1.5 minutes or less for each question. For math, it’s 22 questions, for a total of 44 in total. However, you get more time for math with actually 35 minutes per module. Test takers start off with the first English module and are tested on a variety of topics including vocabulary, comprehension, and etc. Depending on how good/poor you do on the first module, the second module will adjust it’s difficulty. Specifically, if you do really good on the first module (or above half of the questions right), then you will get the harder second module, and the same goes for vice versa. After you have finished both modules in the reading section, you fortunately have a 10 minute break. During the break you can use the bathroom, get some water, eat a snack, and just rest your brain before you begin math. The SAT prohibits you from accessing your phone, so unfortunately you can’t scroll on TikTok during the break.After the break is over, the math section begins. You are tested on a diverse range of high school maths topics ranging from algebra, to probability, to trigonometry and etc. Many people believe the first math module section is extremely easy, while the second one is notoriously difficult at times. 35 minutes quickly pass by, and you find yourself taking the last module. If you do well on the first one, get ready for a challenge now (and if you don’t, it’s still ok and you can catch a nice break even if you get a lower score).
After 2.5 hours have passed, you have successfully completed the SAT! Usually, you have to wait about 2 weeks for your scores to be released (so if you wrote it on June 7, 2025, the scores are said to be released on June 20, 2025).
How does scoring work?
The maximum score you can get on the SAT is a 1600, which is extremely rare and amazing. In fact, only about 1000 test takers out of a million each year, achieve this astonishing feat. The English section is out of 800 and the math section is out of 800 as well, therefore totaling up to 1600. Each question right/wrong is worth a little more/less 10 points. Getting harder questions right is worth more than getting easier questions right. For example, you would gain more points for getting long analysis questions in English section or complex geometry questions right, in comparison to grammar rules or basic linear algebra. Therefore, many people say to focus more on getting the hard ones right if you know you can do them, rather than spending extra time on easier ones.
Difference between the Paper and the Digital SAT:
So recently, during 2024, College Board (the company that administers the SAT), made a major change in its method of administration. In the past, it used to be fully on paper, and the reading passages used to be much longer with more than one questions dedicated to each passage. Math problems were also a little different too, but mainly touched on the same concepts. However in the past, there was a calculator section and a no-calculator section, but now students can access the computerized calculator, “Desmos” whenever they desire. The digital version of the SAT also has other features such as a line reader, highlighter, cross-our option, and zoom in/out option, making it very accessible and easy to maneuver around the test. Along with many others, I think these changes are very beneficial to test takers.
How to prepare:
If you are aiming to attend Canadian universities then no need to fear, as the SAT isn’t required for any post-secondary institutions in Canada. However if you are aiming to attend university in the USA, then many schools require you to submit your score. The average score that most universities would like to see is somewhere between 1000-1400, because it proves that you are ready to handle coursework. However if you aiming for prestigious universities, such as the Ivy Leagues, then a score of 1500~1600 is pretty much mandatory. Unless you have something extraordinary about your life (such as being a nationally ranked athlete or your parents are billionaires), this SAT score is crucial to stand a chance in the competitive admissions field.
Let’s say you are considering to take it, how would you prepare? Luckily, the SAT only covers topics learnt in a high school classroom. Therefore, by the time you reach grade 11 or grade 12, you automatically would know all the math concepts necessary to take the test. In terms of the reading section, it doesn’t necessarily matter what grade you are in, because you can’t necessarily learn much for this section. To prepare, consider setting aside extra time every day/week, depending on how far/close your test day is.
Unless you believe that they will truly help you, I would advise staying away from test-prep programs that cost $1000s of dollars, as there are many free resources out there that do practically the same thing. For example, Khan Academy is the guru for school, and along with helping you understand your homework, it also has a separate dedicated section towards sat English and math prep.
Yes, this is a huge standard exam and it is very common to feel scared, so here are some tips that will help calm you down before test day!
Tips before Test Day:
Prepare early: nothing will help reduce anxiety more than the feeling of being prepared and knowing that you can crush this exam to the best of your ability. Make a BlueBook account on your computer or iPad (after making a College Board account and registering for the SAT). On BlueBook, you will have access to many practice tests, so you can get a better understanding on where your strengths and weaknesses lay.
Get the help you need: some of the SAT concepts are pretty challenging, and there is nothing wrong asking for help; whether it be through a tutor, a friend, or a parent. Getting the help you need will ultimately aid you in reaching your target score.
You can take this test more than once: there is no set limit on the number of attempts one can take for the SAT, meaning that you don’t have to take too much pressure if it’s your first time. Many people take it 2-4 times, as it can be pretty challenging to hit your target score during your first attempt.
On the night before the test, relax: you worked hard, and now you deserve to rest. Don’t spend all night cramming because for starters, it’s unhealthy, and on top of that- the test starts at 8 am the next day (usually). In my personal opinion, you will do much better if you have slept the night before rather than cram all the information into your head.
So there you have it folks, that’s practically everything you need to know about the SAT! For more specific information, make sure to visit the College Board website, and familiarize yourself with the test format using Blue Book. If you took the June 7, 2024 SAT, I hope you hit your target scores and don’t worry – as you can always take in again when you feel ready! If you haven’t taken it yet, don’t worry. I’m sure you will be ok!
This article is written by Shreya, a member of the 2024-25 Mayor’s Youth Council. Shreya is part of the Careers and Opportunities committee, who wanted to highlight different career opportunities for youth.
Improving HR from the Inside: An Interview with Jasmin Ivaturi
Human Resources might not be the first field that comes to mind when you think of innovation, but it can be where strategy, communication, and smart technology come together.
Why Does it Matter?
Jasmin works behind the scenes to help HR teams run more smoothly. Her role focuses on improving internal processes, solving everyday challenges, and supporting tools like her company’s HR chatbot, which helps employees find information quickly and easily. It’s a practical, thoughtful job that makes a real difference in how people experience work.
Her Career Journey
Jasmin’s interest in business started back in the 1990s, when she decided to pursue a degree in International Business. Over the years, she built on that foundation with additional certifications in Project Management, CPHR, Change Management, and leadership development programs specific to her organization.
“I knew I wanted to learn more about how the business world worked,” she said.
That curiosity led her to Human Resources, where she now supports data and analytics related to her company’s HR chatbot. She collaborates with other teams to make sure the information provided is accurate and relevant—making the tool more useful for employees across the organization.
A Day in the Life
Jasmin’s day typically includes a mix of problem solving, communication, and process improvement. Whether she’s working with internal teams or looking for ways to streamline HR tasks, she’s focused on making systems work better for everyone.
Advice for Future Leaders
For teens interested in leadership, business, or HR, Jasmin recommends getting involved in programs that build real-world skills:
Junior Achievement Company Program – a hands-on way to learn how businesses operate
Volunteering (ex. Youth Central, Animal Shelter, Hospital, etc)– a chance to engage with community and build leadership skills
“These programs give you practical experience and help you figure out what you’re passionate about,” she shared.
What I Took Away
What stood out to me most in this conversation is how Jasmin combines technical know-how with people skills. Her work might not always be in the spotlight, but it has a strong impact on how a company functions day to day. It’s a great reminder that meaningful careers don’t always follow the same path—and sometimes, making things better behind the scenes is where the real value lies.
Final Thought
As Jasmin put it, “HR isn’t just about hiring—it’s about making work better for everyone.”
We’re often told to avoid the Seven Deadly Sins at all costs—as if simply naming them will keep us safe from their grip. Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth: these aren’t just old religious warnings—they’re timeless reflections of human nature. But instead of just treating them like red flags, maybe we can learn something deeper from them.
Sometimes, the best advice doesn’t come from ignoring our flaws. It comes from understanding them.
Here’s what each of the Seven Deadly Sins can teach us—if we’re willing to listen.
1. Pride: Don’t Build a Throne on Sand
Unsplash Image by mariel reiser
Pride tells us we’re better than others. It whispers that we don’t need help, that we’re above criticism. But the truth? Pride builds walls between people—and worse, it isolates us from growth.
Advice: Be proud of yourself, not above others. Confidence and humility can coexist. Ask for feedback. Celebrate wins, but stay grounded enough to learn from your losses. You’re not always right—and that’s okay.
Pride unchecked becomes arrogance. But pride understood becomes strength tempered with empathy.
2. Greed: The Trap of “Just One More”
Unplash Image by fikry anshor
Greed is the insatiable hunger for more—more money, more success, more likes, more everything. But “just one more” never satisfies. It leaves us emptier than we started.
Advice: Ask yourself: When is enough actually enough? You don’t have to chase every opportunity. Sometimes, peace is found not in accumulation but in contentment.
Wanting more isn’t evil. But when your wants eclipse your values, it’s time to pause. Let your ambition be guided by purpose, not by possession.
3. Lust: Passion Without Purpose
Unsplash Image by Kenny Eliason
Lust isn’t just about sex—it’s about intense desire without depth. It craves connection, but only at the surface. It promises fulfillment but often delivers emptiness.
Advice: Learn the difference between chemistry and connection. Passion is powerful, but it needs direction. Wanting someone or something is natural—using that desire to build something real is mature.
Don’t chase fire for its heat alone. Build fires that keep you warm, not ones that burn your bridges.
4. Envy: The Green-Eyed Mirror
Envy makes you look at someone else’s life and ask, “Why not me?” It convinces you that someone else’s success is your failure. It turns admiration into resentment.
Unsplash Image by Ben Iwara
Advice: Use envy as a mirror. When you feel jealous, ask yourself what it’s trying to reveal. Do you want what they have? Or do you just wish you had their confidence? Their freedom? Their drive?
Envy can be a clue about what you value. Instead of letting it poison you, let it point you toward your own goals.
5. Gluttony: Filling the Void
Unsplash Image by J E S U S R O C H A
Gluttony isn’t just about food. It’s about overconsumption of anything—bingeing distractions, relationships, attention—because you’re trying to escape something. It’s numbing instead of healing.
Advice: Slow down. Ask yourself why you need so much of something. What are you tryingto silence?
Sometimes, it’s okay to indulge. But if you can’t be alone with your thoughts, if you always need more to feel okay, then it’s time to do the hard inner work.
Consumption without consciousness is a slow kind of self-destruction.
6. Wrath: The Volcano Within
Wrath doesn’t just explode—it simmers. It builds up from pain, from feeling wronged, from
Unsplash Image by Andrea Cassani
being unheard. But when we let wrath speak for us, it destroys everything in its path—sometimes including ourselves.
Advice: Don’t bottle it up, but don’t let it spill everywhere either. Find safe ways to process anger—talk, write, scream into a pillow if you must. But don’t use your pain to cause more pain.
Anger can be justified, even righteous. But it needs a direction that heals, not harms. Use your fire to forge, not burn.
7. Sloth: The Quiet Decay
Sloth isn’t just laziness—it’s disengagement. It’s apathy. It’s knowing you have more in you
Unsplash Image by – Kenny
but choosing not to try, not to care. It can look like rest on the outside, but it feels like regret on the inside.
Advice: Motivation isn’t constant—discipline bridges the gap. Start small. Clean your room. Send that email. One step is enough to break inertia.
Rest is vital. Avoidance is not. Learn the difference.
Sometimes, sloth is a symptom of burnout or depression. If that’s the case, don’t shame yourself—get help. But don’t confuse inaction for peace. It’s okay to want more from yourself.
Final Thoughts: Sin as a Signal
We’re human. We mess up. We crave, we rage, we slack off, we get jealous. But these “sins” aren’t just moral failings. They’re signals. They show us where we’re off balance, where something deeper needs attention.
Instead of trying to be perfect, try to be aware. When you feel the tug of one of these sins, don’t just fight it—understand it. Let it teach you something.
Advice isn’t always about telling someone what to do. Sometimes, the best advice is just helping someone ask the right questions. And if you ever find yourself deep in one of these sins, here’s a simple piece of advice:
You’re not alone. You’re not broken. You’re just human—and that’s the starting point for real growth.
TL;DR: The Seven Deadly Sins aren’t just red flags—they’re lessons in disguise. Don’t ignore them. Study them. Learn from them. And then use that knowledge to live with more intention, depth, and grace. ¹²³⁴⁵⁶⁷
Let’s be honest – cheap stuff is awesome. As long as it tastes/looks good, the lower the prices, the more our faces light up. In today’s world, companies like Shein and Temu are profiting off of this mindset insanely – but what’s the catch? Sure the quality may not be amazing, but we can’t spend practically nothing to get an item we desire?
This is called “Fast Fashion”
Fast Fashion is this concept that is infecting many large transnational clothing companies all around the world, such as H&M, Zara, Shein, and Joe Fresh. It’s basically when these companies undergo mass production of items and materials to get as much as they can into the market. However, they also spend extremely low amounts to start this mass production process as well. “Fast Fashion” relates to this other concept called “Free Trade”, which is when there is little to no government intervention in the marketplace, and companies (both big and small) fend for themselves. Because there is little to no government intervention, bigger, transnational companies are given a much larger advantage when compared to smaller domestic companies – leading everyone to go to extremely low lengths to ensure competitiveness. What I mean by this, is that in order to be the most competitive in the market, you must produce the most, gain the most profit out of it, and spend the least to make the product in the first place. To expand on this, large companies even resort to unethical methods to gain this much valued dominance and competitiveness in the market.
What are these unethical methods?
One main example of this is sweatshops. A sweatshop, in simple terms, is a place where laborers are paid extremely low amounts and have to work in horrible working conditions. These sweatshops are very common in developing countries across the world, and they are one of the main drivers of “fast fashion”. Basically, large companies pay factories in developing countries extremely low amounts and force workers into atrocious working conditions to make large quantities of products. This practice is especially common in the fashion industry. These workers in developing countries work in such horrible conditions, that for example in Bangladesh, an 8 story textile factory collapsed – killing more than 1000 trapped inside. Overall, these sweatshops are very bad, yet they are the driving forces in the fashion industry – that leads consumers like us to make decisions regarding the ethics of what we are spending money on.
Another example of an unethical method is child labor. In developing countries, child labor is extremely common – and even though it’s so horrible to think about, it’s desperately necessary. Ok I know I sound like a villain saying this, but child labor in developing countries is necessary for families to survive and thrive (to some extent). Basically, wages are so low in developing countries, that parents need their kids to go to work too instead of school. A study was conducted in Bangladesh where textile factories banned employing children, and it found out that the majority of these children did not go back to school, and instead resorted to even worse forms of employment – often earning even lower wages that earned in the factories, and even resorting to illegal practices such as prostitution.
In addition to the clothing factory, children are also forced to work in mines to get cobalt – which is majorly used in everyday electronic devices.
Overall, child labor pushes the fashion industry greatly, and although it is extremely bad, it also leads to some sort of stable salary for the children and their families.
Environmental concerns:
Along with the countless ethical concerns that arise in regards to fast fashion, there are many environmental issues that arise too. As a result of mass production, many harmful fumes such as CO2 and greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere. This leads to air pollution, tarnishing the atmosphere. As explained above, mass production is a result of the requirements for fast fashion to occur. This mass production leads to a reduction in quality, which ultimately makes consumers throw away their products after 1 or 2 uses. These thrown out products often land up in landfills, oceans, and in other developing countries (such as Ghana). Overall, fast fashion not only raises ethical concerns – but is also harmful to the environment at the same time.
So what do we do?
Ok so now that we know this information, it is our job to make a difference. Of course we still love clothes at H&M, but we should also take the chance once in a while and support ethical brands (even if we are not madly in love with the clothes). We should also make an effort to buy less clothes, even resorting to thrift shops once in a while too. As a matter of fact, sustainable brands and thrift shops can often be trendy too! To conclude, fast fashion is very prominent in our world and it doesn’t look like it will go away any time soon, and it is important for us to acknowledge the fact of where our clothes come from and to what extent it is reasonable to both the makers and the environment too!
Introducing the Mayor’s Youth Council Health and Well-Being Column! Each month, we’ll share fun, relevant, easy-to-follow mental health tips through the Youth Central newsletter, giving you the tools and support to prioritize your well-being with new topics and advice every month!
Hello everyone! June is here, which is our month of the “last push.” Congratulations to students who have successfully completed IB and AP exams! While those difficult exams are behind us, there are still final exams and diploma exams ahead. Our Mayor’s Youth Council Health and Wellbeing Committee wanted to dedicate this month’s newsletter to help you stay balanced, focused, and well — physically, mentally, and emotionally — during one of the most intense academic times of the year.
Enroll yourself in diploma prep classes!
Did you know that collaborative learning improves retention? A 2020 study published in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications showed that reviewing material with expert guidance and peers boosts understanding and long-term memory. Benefits of diploma prep classes include reinforcing key concepts with expert instructors, gaining more experience with practice exam-style questions, learning test-taking strategies, and feeling supported by peers who are going through the same thing. Check with your school or school board for diploma prep opportunities in your area!
Space Out Your Study Sessions (The Spacing Effect)
Cramming is tempting, but harmful. The brain retains information best when we review it over time. A study from Psychological Science found that longer intervals between study sessions led to better long-term retention. This is called the Spacing Effect, and it helps your brain form long-term memory. When studying for exams, try to break big topics into smaller sections, schedule review days, and mix up subjects to keep your brain engaged. We recommend utilizing a flashcard application called Anki, which helps you practice spaced repetition.
Pomodoro Techniques
Have you ever stared at a page for 2 hours and remembered nothing? The Pomodoro Technique may help you!
How it works:
Study for 25 minutes
Take a 5-minute break
Repeat 4 times, then take a 15–30 minute break
This rhythm keeps your focus sharp while giving your brain time to recover.A study titled “Understanding effort regulation: Comparing ‘Pomodoro’ breaks and self-regulated breaks” investigated the effects of systematic (Pomodoro-style) versus self-regulated breaks on mental effort, task experiences, and task completion during real-life study sessions. The findings suggested that taking systematic breaks during study sessions had appeared to offer efficiency benefits—achieving similar task completion in shorter time—compared to self-regulated breaks.
Make sure to eat properly (especially breakfast!)
A study published in Physiology & Behavior investigated the effects of breakfast consumption on cognitive function in adolescents aged 12 to 15. Participants completed cognitive tests after consuming breakfast and after skipping it. The results showed that breakfast consumption improved accuracy on complex tasks like the Stroop test and visual search tasks, as well as faster response times on memory tasks. Additionally, participants reported higher energy levels and lower feelings of tiredness after eating breakfast.
Brain-friendly foods:
Whole grains (oats, brown rice, whole wheat toast)
Fruits and veggies (especially berries and leafy greens)
Healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil)
Lean proteins (eggs, yogurt, beans)
Make Time for Creativity and Community
Art and connection support your emotional well-being and help prevent burnout! A 2019 study in Art Therapy found that just 45 minutes of creative activity (drawing, painting, journaling, music) significantly reduces cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. Art also helps express emotions such as empathy, friendship, and support. Try joining an art club with your friends, doodling in your notes, or taking “creative breaks” instead of meaningless screen scrolling.
These exams will pass, but your health and well-being are long-term investments. Every time you choose to study smarter, eat better, take a walk, or pause for art or connection, you’re investing in yourself. Remember, you are capable, resilient, and supported. We believe in you — you’ve got this!
References:
Tullis, J. G., & Goldstone, R. L. (2020). Why does peer instruction benefit student learning? Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-020-00218-5
Biwer, F., Wiradhany, W., Egbrink, M. G. A. oude , & Bruin, A. B. H. de . (2023). Understanding effort regulation: Comparing “Pomodoro” breaks and self‐regulated breaks. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(S2). https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12593
Cooper, S. B., Bandelow, S., & Nevill, M. E. (2011). Breakfast consumption and cognitive function in adolescent schoolchildren. Physiology & Behavior, 103(5), 431–439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.03.018
This article is written by Bella, a member of the 2024-25 Mayor’s Youth Council. Bella is part of the Careers and Opportunities committee, who wanted to highlight different career opportunities for youth.
What do robots, construction sites, and oil rigs have in common? They’re all a part of Carlos’s workday. Believe it or not, his story might change the way you perceive certain careers. The title “Cost Controller” is way more exciting than the title must suggest. From surveying numbers to keeping million dollar oil projects on track, his journey calls to youth, reminding them that you don’t need to know exactly what you want to do outside of high school.
As a teenager, Carlos never imagined his job would one day involve GPS-guided trucks and daily walks through construction zones. “I thought I would be working in an office my whole life”, he admits. Instead, his career has taken him from Venezuela to Canada, and from accepting spreadsheets to Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
Carlos’s story begins in Venezuela, where he majored in accounting and earned his CPA certification. He started his professional life in public accounting, working at an audit firm. While the work was stable and familiar, he started to notice something that sparked his curiosity: many of the people in his professional network were involved in oil and gas. “I built a local network where I got inspired to work in oil and gas,” he says. That inspiration pushed him to rethink his path.
Realizing that oil and gas projects involved much more than office work, Carlos made a bold decision: he went back to school to earn a masters degree in project management. This move gave him the skills to manage the complex logistics and planning involved in these large industrial projects.
When the economic state of Venezuela declined, Carlos took a huge step. He immigrated to Canada, landing in Alberta, a province known for its strong energy sector. There, he began working in cost control for oil and gas construction projects.
So.. What does a cost controller do? When you think of a construction site, a cost controller might not be the first role that comes to mind, but it’s a critical one. Carlos explains “ I make sure the price of the project does not exceed the budget. I do this by implementing controls to monitor the spending and efficiency of vendors on site.” He starts his day bright and early at 7 am, heading out to project sites around Edmonton. His mornings are often spent meeting with vendors to review progress on the job. “Then I compare that with our budget to see if we’re on track,” he says.“Then I present updates to the project managers.” Every day is different, sometimes Carlos is focused on numbers and reports, other days he’s walking in the site to see how the construction is unfolding in real time. “Its’ a very dynamic job” he says.
One of the most fascinating parts of Carlos’s job is the technology he gets to use and witness firsthand. He’s particularly proud of helping implement a real time construction dashboard that makes project management much more efficient. “ It gives us up to miniature information, which is a huge improvement”, he says.
And that’s just the beginning. Carlos has worked on projects where massive trucks used to transport materials from mines were turned into fully automated driverless vehicles. “These trucks used to require three drivers working 8 hour shifts to operate 24/7,” he explains.”Now, thanks to AI and GPS, they can drive themselves.”
It’s a glimpse into the future of the industry, and Carlos believes it is only the beginning. “AI will provide more concise information on how to execute construction tasks. Eventually, more robots will do the duties that are currently done by people,” he predicts.
Carlos also notes that his field isn’t typically full of young professionals yet. “The people who work here are pretty old,” he says with a laugh. But that is why he thinks now is a great time for young people to get involved and stand out. “If you’re interested in this kind of work, get the project Management Inspire Certification,” he advises. “It only takes about six months and gives you a solid foundation,” He also recommends online certifications, like those offered by Google. “Don’t overlook google certifications. They make you an evolving applicant.”
Whether you’re passionate about numbers, technology, or building things, Carlos believes there’s room for new voices in the oil and gas world.
Talking to Carlos made me rethink what it means to build a career. His story isn’t about knowing exactly what you want to do when you’re 18, it’s about being curious and open to change. From Venezuela to Canada, Carlos has followed opportunities wherever they led. If you’re feeling unsure about your future, his journey is proof that you can find your way, and most importantly have fun doing it.
Does anyone else constantly learn what we celebrate in a certain month? For instance, we have Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, and National Family Caregivers Month in November. While these are well-known celebration months, there are always a lot more that people celebrate for a selected month. In fact, there are a lot of celebration months as more are spreading around through social media and family traditions; there are always new celebrations being marked to a certain month that it is difficult to state how many celebration months we have around the world. In my opinion, after a quick exploration throughout the internet, my guess would be over 500 at this point.
Note: Celebration Months generalize between celebrating famous events to simply bringing awareness to certain things
As there are a lot of celebration months in June, only a handful will be tackled in this blog post. However, you are free to explore a short list of June celebration months by clicking this hyperlink.
1. Pride Month
Beginning with an exercise of right to peacefully protest, an event called The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement back in 1969. The celebration began as “Gay Pride Day” on the last Sunday of June in the U.S. , but it grew to today’s Pride Month for all of June. Nowadays, June marks the official month for celebrating people’s rights of expressions around the world, spreading the awareness through parades, parties, to concerts.
June also marks the Cancer Survivors Month. The celebration exhibits the reality that life can exist after a Cancer diagnosis. It acts as a wellspring of support and hope to Cancer patients and their families around the world. Along with these goals, it is also a reminder for everyone that Cancer does not necessarily mark the end of lives and that an incredible amount of work is being done to search for the cure.
In the Northern Hemisphere, June has been considered an ideal month for roses. At this time, more than 150 species of roses bloom around the world. Because they symbolize romance, beauty, and loyalty, roses have been the symbol of poets and artists. Additionally, they are a popular choice of flowers in weddings, further celebrating the month and smelling the roses. As a matter of fact, the month was first observed in the U.S. in 1959 when efforts were made to make roses the national flower; this had not been done until President Ronald Reagan came in office and made it official in 1986.
Also, June marks the Gun Violence Awareness Month, reminding people to be alert against Gun Violence. According to Sandy Hook Promise, guns are the leading cause of death among American children and teens. From school shootings to suicides, this awareness month reminds everyone to come together and limit the dangerous usage of deadly weapons in their homes and civilizations. On top Gun Violence Month, campaigns have also been launched to the point where people are encouraged to wear orange on June 6, 2025 to acknowledge unfortunate events and enhancing voices against gun violence.
Caribbean-American Heritage Month also occurs in June and celebrates the Caribbean contributions to American history, life, and culture. It is among many American celebration months meant to honor America’s rich and diverse culture. Additionally, it is a reminder that not only did the Caribbeans promote such diverse cultures in America, but also made great developments into science and medicine. June is also dedicated to recognizing these amazing actions and to teach people more about the culture and the people.
There Are A Lot Of Celebration Months Around The World!
As we have just explored, there are at least 5 celebration months being celebrated in the month of June. Every celebration month has a purpose, whether to initiate celebrations or bring awareness, and there are always more things to celebrate as time goes on. Hopefully, this short exploration was able to bring some insight that there are many things and events to be proud of around the world and to celebrate at least some of them from time to time!
For centuries, politics has remained a field dominated by men. However, today, we see women around the world fighting against all odds to make their voices heard and stepping into leadership roles, reshaping our political landscape.
Road to representation
Nevertheless, there is a long road towards reaching political representation, and it hasn’t been easy. In many countries, women have fought for decades to gain the right to vote, let alone run for office. While the suffrage movement of the 20th century laid the groundwork, achieving fundamental political parity remains a work in progress for many. As of 2025, women make up approximately 27.2% of the national parliamentarians on a global scale, which might be an increase from history, but is still far from equal representation.
Why it matters
It is not only about representation. Encouraging and making sure that women are in politics is about the results. Research has consistently proven that when women are involved in political decision-making, policies tend to be more inclusive, notably in areas such as healthcare, education and family welfare, sectors that impact national and local well-being for all communities.
In situations where a crisis arises, such as natural disasters and pandemics, women leaders were praised for their effective and empathetic leadership. Such instances are particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where several women-led countries showed swift and effective responses, such as New Zealand (led by Jacinda Ardern) and Germany (under Angela Merkel)
Barriers that remain
Despite the world progressing, there are still significant challenges that remain such as
Gender-based violence and harassment
Media bias and sexist portrayals in the press
Unequal access to campaign financing
Deep-rooted cultural and societal expectations
These barriers not only deter women from entering politics, but also create obstacles for those already in the system.
The future
The world needs to encourage the forthcoming generations of women to pursue political roles, and this requires systemic changes, such as equitable education, support networks, reforms in political institutions, and a cultural shift in how we view and treat female leaders. This includes programs that mentor and fund women candidates, as well as efforts by the public to combat misogyny in politics. This is all so that when young girls see leaders who look like them and speak for them, they will lead with strength and grow the political sphere to be more inclusive and just.
Local Focus
Even on local levels like Calgary, these challenges are apparent. According to Alberta’s Status of Women Report, female representation at municipal and provincial levels remains under 40%. We need accessibility to stronger mentorship programs, youth leadership opportunities, and civic education initiatives to inspire young women to lead.
To improve gender equity in Calgary politics, we need to advocate for:
School-based civic engagement education
Scholarships and leadership training specifically for girls interested in politics
Local campaigns that highlight and celebrate women in city leadership roles
Change starts from within ourselves, and, by extension, to our local communities; it is only then that we can think about global change.
When it comes to studying for exams and surviving exam season, there are a multitude of resources online. They tell you to study every day, eat certain foods to keep your brain sharp, and to take breaks every half an hour or less.
These tools work perfectly for some people, but aren’t so ideal for others. As a teen, I know that youth can find it hard to balance multiple lifestyle changes at once and stick to a strict schedule that they aren’t used to. It’s hard for growing minds to be disciplined all the time!
As a youth who is about to embark on her final exams, I have compiled a list of small tips for anyone who is studying for multiple exams to incorporate into their lives– without making too many huge lifestyle changes. I have found that these small tweaks in my daily routine during exam season have made a noticeable difference on my stress levels and academic performance. These are what work for me specifically!
1. Start The Day Right
During exam season, you may see tips online that tell you to wake up at 4 a.m. and begin studying, but this isn’t sustainable for most youth. Unless you’re already used to it or have a pristine sleep schedule, I have found that waking up that early has only made my productivity throughout the day worse and I end up tiring out faster. Rather than forcing myself to work during early morning hours, I wake up at a comfortable time (8 a.m.) while ensuring that it’s not too late into the day.
Starting the day right has proven to be the most important method for me, and by this, I don’t mean studying the second you wake up. When you wake up, don’t reach for your phone. Being on your device first thing in the morning makes you incredibly susceptible to procrastination.
Instead, do a small task that sets the tone for the rest of your day. An example of a small task to prepare for your studying includes tidying your study space, opening a window, drinking a glass of water, or going for a walk if you’re feeling ambitious. This allows you to get into the right mindset for locking in.
Focus Windows are times throughout the day which you know you’ll naturally feel more alert and productive. Instead of forcing yourself to study when you’re tired or distracted, identify your personal high-energy hours, whether it’s in the mid-morning or early evening. Use that time to tackle your most challenging subjects.
During these focus windows, get rid of all distractions by putting your phone on Do Not Disturb, clearing your workspace, and ensuring your family knows you plan on focusing for the next hour or so. Set a clear goal for what you want to achieve, like getting at least 30–45 minutes of focused work before taking a brain break. This method is more effective than spending hours of distracted studying.
3. Reward Yourself Fairly
Once you know you can’t have something, you tend to want it more. Instead of focusing on studying, your brain will be thinking about the one thing you can’t have, but want desperately. By restricting yourself from TV time, junk food, or doing things you enjoy (whether they’re beneficial to your studying or not), you will only feel the need to do them more.
Rather than letting this distract you, use this to motivate yourself. Give yourself a reward (e.g. a piece of cake) to work towards. If you complete the task, chapter you’re studying, or flashcard set, give yourself 10 minutes maximum for a small treat before getting back in the zone. Ensure that you don’t let the reward fuel your procrastination by saving the “bigger” rewards (like playing video games) till your studying for the day is finished.
This may sound contradictory since breaks are supposed to be your designated time to fully zone out, but how you spend your short breaks throughout the day will drastically impact your overall productivity. I’m not saying you have to be productive during your breaks, that goes against the whole meaning of one. Instead, try to stay away from social media or using your devices, and other long-term distractions. A good book can also be hazardous as well, since it’s difficult to stick to the schedule you have when you want to continue doing what you enjoy.
Try using your breaks to get a breath of fresh air, or speaking to someone close by in-person. If you know you’ll be able to go back to work after your time is up, reply to that one text or email that’s been on your mind. To sum it all up, do something that won’t derail your focus and schedule for the rest of the day by finding short-term distractions. If you’re having trouble focusing in again, get yourself a drink or a snack to enjoy while studying. I find that using a new pen or stationery always get me ready for the study grind.
5. Make Your Study Plan As Specific As Possible
When it comes to that one subject that you know you’ll struggle in, this tip will come in handy. Your plan shouldn’t be “Study Chemistry for 2 hours”, it should sound more like “Watch a video on acids and bases”, “go through bonding unit flashcards”, and “try one practice exam.”
Break down your weaknesses beforehand and focus on them directly using specific tasks. This way, your brain will have to do much less work figuring out how to study for the exam during your study time. Instead of avoiding your worst subject entirely, schedule short, low-pressure study sessions to get familiar with the topic. It’s okay to have some slow days as well, give yourself less material on days when you know you’ll be more tired.
Before you roll your eyes, note that I’m not telling you to become a vlogger or StudyTuber right before your exam. Setting the study mood and getting the right vibes from your environment can go a long way. It’ll be impossible to focus in a bleak setting, and those math problems will start feeling tedious and boring. By doing something small like lighting a candle, making yourself a cool drink, or putting on a themed playlist, your calculus work might just suck less.
Get into the Rory Gilmore mindset and imagine you live in Stars Hollow if that’s what it takes for studying to be more bearable!
TL;DR
A lot of exam tips online can feel unrealistic for teens juggling school, life, and stress. Instead of forcing major lifestyle changes, here are small strategies that helped me during exam season:
Start the Day Right: Wake up at a reasonable time, skip the phone, and do a small task to get into study mode.
Use “Focus Windows”: Find your naturally productive hours and use them for your hardest tasks
Reward Yourself Fairly: Instead of cutting off all fun, use small rewards (like a treat or quick break) to stay motivated without falling into procrastination.
Use Breaks Wisely: Avoid long distractions like social media or books. Take short, refreshing breaks to reset without derailing your focus.
Be Specific With Study Plans: Don’t just plan to “study”. Break it down into small, clear tasks.
Romanticize It: Set the vibe with candles, drinks, or music to make studying feel a little less like torture and a little more like a cozy movie.
When people in the past imagined the future, they pictured flying cars, robots doing chores, and vacations on Mars. Books, movies, and even science magazines showed a world where everything looked shiny, fast, and way more advanced than today. But now that we’re in the 2020s, a lot of those things still don’t exist. Why is that?
This post is all about exploring why the amazing inventions from sci-fi and future art haven’t really come true — at least, not the way we thought they would.
Imagination vs. Reality
Writers, artists, and filmmakers can imagine anything. They don’t have to worry about real problems like gravity, money, or safety. But engineers and scientists do. They can’t just dream things up — they have to make them actually work. That’s much harder. So while imagination is powerful, reality has rules that we can’t just ignore.
How History Fueled False Hopes
In the 1950s and 1960s, people believed that the future would be full of amazing tech. After all, they saw big changes like cars, airplanes, and space travel happen fast. Magazines and World’s Fairs showed cool inventions like food pills and space hotels. But a lot of those ideas were just fun guesses. People mistook fun predictions for actual plans.
Flying cars are in almost every futuristic movie. But in real life, they’re super hard to make. A car that flies needs to be lightweight like a plane, but also safe and strong like a regular car. Plus, flying safely in busy cities would be dangerous and confusing. And where would you park a flying car — on the roof?
Imagine whole cities floating in the clouds — sounds awesome, right? The problem is, it takes a huge amount of energy to lift and keep something that big in the air. We also don’t have strong enough materials or engines that can make this idea work safely. Floating cities might always stay in the world of fiction.
Jetpacks do exist, but they aren’t like the ones in movies. They only fly for a few minutes, are super expensive, and are really hard to control. Most people would crash within seconds. That’s why we don’t all fly to school with jetpacks. Bikes are way easier — and a lot safer.
Teleportation, Time Travel & Other Physics-Breakers
Teleportation and time travel are fun to think about, but they go against what we know about Physics. Scientists can teleport tiny particles using quantum science, but not people. Time travel causes problems like paradoxes — like what happens if you go back in time and change something? These ideas are cool, but probably impossible.
Why Smart Cities Aren’t That Smart Yet
People imagined cities that could think — with talking traffic lights, perfect air, and trash that takes itself out. But even today, “smart cities” mostly just mean more cameras and better internet. Making a whole city smart is super expensive, and not everyone agrees on how to do it. Change is slow, especially for big cities.
Material Science: Still Catching Up
Futuristic stuff often needs materials we haven’t invented yet. Things like invisible armor or walls that fix themselves sound amazing, but we don’t have the tech to make them. Even new materials like graphene are hard to make in large amounts. Until scientists figure that out, our buildings and gadgets will stay pretty normal.
Almost every cool future idea needs lots of energy. But we still depend on gas, oil, and coal — and that pollutes the Earth. Cleaner energy, like solar and wind, is growing, but it’s not fast enough yet. Until we have better batteries or maybe fusion energy, we just don’t have the power for all those wild inventions.
The Regulatory and Bureautic Bottleneck
Even if a new invention works, it has to be tested and approved. Governments have to make sure it’s safe for people and the planet. This takes years, sometimes decades. So while a flying taxi might be possible, it also has to go through tons of rules and laws before anyone’s allowed to use it.
Cultural Inertia: Society is Slow to Change
Sometimes, the problem isn’t the tech — it’s the people. Even when something new is available, we don’t always accept it right away. It took a long time for people to trust online shopping or self-checkout machines. And if a new invention might replace jobs, people push back. We like comfort and routine, not sudden changes.
Big companies invest in things that make money. That’s why we get new iPhones every year, but not things like flying cars. A lot of sci-fi inventions are too expensive to make or hard to sell. So unless someone can earn money from it, it often stays in the idea phase.
Unforseen Priorities: How Tech Took Different Paths
In the past, people imagined robot servants and space houses. Instead, we got smartphones, video games, and social media. These weren’t part of the old sci-fi future, but they changed our lives just as much. So maybe we did get the future — just not the one anyone predicted.
The Dark Side of Futurism: What We Ignored
Futurism is fun, but it didn’t always think about problems like climate change, pollution, or inequality. A lot of futuristic ideas imagined a perfect world — but our world has real struggles. If we don’t solve today’s issues, it’s hard to build tomorrow’s tech.
Where the Real Innovation Happened
Even though we don’t have floating cars, we’ve made amazing progress: Scientists can edit genes to cure diseases; made satellites that connect the whole world; installed space telescopes that let us look back in time; artificial intelligence is helping us do things faster than ever. These changes may not be flashy, but they’re powerful.
AI is one of the most exciting parts of today’s tech. It helps us write, draw, design, and even solve problems. AI lets us dream up things and test ideas without building them first. It’s not a flying car, but it might help us design one someday.
What the Future Actually Might Look Like
The future might not look like a sci-fi movie, but it could still be awesome. We might see: Smart homes that adapt to us; robots that help care for the elderly; green buildings that protect against climate change; medicine that prevents sickness before it starts. That’s a future worth building.
Maybe the future doesn’t show up all at once. Maybe it comes slowly, in tiny steps. We carry devices in our pockets that let us talk to anyone around the world. We can ask a machine any question and get an answer in seconds. That’s kind of futuristic, right?
Conclusion: Maybe the Future is Here- Just Not How We Expected It
In the end, the future didn’t fail to arrive. It just came differently than we thought. We imagined silver jumpsuits and space hotels. Instead, we got Wi-Fi, FaceTime, and smart devices. That’s not bad — it’s just different.
The truth is, the future is always being built — piece by piece. And if we stay curious, keep learning, and care about the world, maybe we’ll build something even better than what we imagined.
Here are the weirdest facts about animals that I have come across:
Axolotls can regrow their brain and spine
Axolotls can regenerate entire limbs, parts of their brain, and spinal cord without scarring. This ability fascinates scientists studying regenerative medicine.
Despite their reputation as fierce hunters, lions are some of the laziest big cats. They sleep or rest for up to 20 hours a day, conserving energy for short bursts of high-intensity action when hunting.
As I was cleaning out my wardrobe a couple of months ago, and swapping out my winter clothes for summer ones, I noticed how many pieces I barely wore. I remembered some of the pieces I bought because they were trending for, like, a week. I sat there surrounded by piles of cheap, barely-used clothes and felt this weird mix of guilt and confusion. Why did I have so much stuff I didn’t even like anymore?
I ended up googling the nearest thrift store to donate the clothes I hardly wore, but I came across an ad showing a massive pile of clothing dumped in a landfill. I was confused because I’d always assumed donated clothes were reused or sold. I never really thought about what happens after those clothes reach the end of their lifespan.
In the United States, approximately 85% of used clothes and other textiles are either landfilled or incinerated, with only about 15% being reused or recycled. This translates to around 11.3 million tons of textile waste ending up in U.S. landfills annually. Globally, the situation is equally concerning, with an estimated 92 million tons of discarded garments finding their way into landfills each year, out of the 100 billion produced. Many of these discarded clothes are made from synthetic materials like polyester, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful microplastics into the environment during the process. Additionally, a significant portion of donated clothing is shipped overseas to developing countries, and up to 40% of these imported clothes become waste, which litter beaches and waterways harming wildlife.
This was an eye-opener for me, although I cannot reverse my contributions to these statistics in the past, I have made it a point to make smarter decisions about what I buy and to take better care of my clothes so they last longer. When they’re no longer wearable, I try to repurpose them, like turning an old shirt into a tote bag.
There’s nothing more thrilling than the unknown—a puzzle that begs to be solved, a secret waiting to be uncovered. But why are humans so fascinated by mysteries? Whether it’s the eerie allure of unsolved crimes, the excitement of a treasure hunt, or the mind-bending wonder of UFO sightings, we just can’t resist.
1. The Power of Curiosity
Humans are wired to seek answers. Our brains crave logic, patterns, and conclusions. When faced with an unsolved mystery—whether it’s missing treasure, a secret society, or a historical enigma—we feel a deep need to figure it out.
Take the Voynich Manuscript, a 600-year-old book written in a bizarre unknown script that no one can decode. Experts have tried for centuries, but the mystery remains—making it even more irresistible.
2. The Thrill of the Unknown
Image taken from ALEXANDRE LALLEMAND on Unsplash
Mysteries bring excitement to life. Whether it’s watching a crime documentary, solving an escape room, or reading about lost civilizations, there’s something thrilling about not knowing the answer… yet.
Think of famous mysteries like Area 51 or the Bermuda Triangle—places full of strange disappearances, government secrets, and unexplained phenomena. The lack of answers is exactly what makes them so compelling.
3. The Emotional Connection
When mysteries involve real people, they become even more gripping. Stories of missing explorers, unsolved crimes, and forgotten historical events tug at our emotions, making us feel personally invested.
The Lost Colony of Roanoke, for example, still haunts historians. An entire settlement vanished in the late 1500s, leaving only one cryptic clue: the word “CROATOAN” carved into a tree. Did they migrate? Were they attacked? No one knows for sure, and the mystery continues to capture imaginations.
4. The Pleasure of Problem-Solving
Image from Edge2Edge Media on Unsplash
Solving a mystery is like working out at the gym—but for the brain. Detective stories, logic puzzles, and real-life investigations activate our minds, letting us test theories, follow clues, and make discoveries.
It’s why people love murder mystery books, true crime podcasts, and conspiracy theories. They give us a chance to become the detective—to piece together clues and unlock secrets.
Mysteries remind us that the world is full of surprises. And even when answers remain out of reach, the thrill of the chase keeps us hooked. So whether you’re unraveling a historical enigma or just binge-watching Sherlock Holmes, know that you’re part of a long tradition—one that proves humanity’s endless desire to uncover the truth. ¹²³⁴
