With great pleasure and extreme excitement I’ve received the fortunate opportunity of introducing to all of you the newest edition to our Junior Editor team, Kandace Peroramas! Kandace is a versatile blogger who is taking up the position of the News Junior Editor with excitement and ambition, we welcome her with warm hearts to our team. Her dedication, hard-work and giving attitude sets her aside from all else. Her vibrant aura is humbling and her ambition is inspiring, without further ado let’s get to know more about our new guru, Kandace Peroramas.
Who is Kandace:
“I would describe myself as a person with lots of ambition and motivation to leave lasting impacts in whatever I do. As a lover of music, travelling, reading, and writing, I strive to learn new things and apply that knowledge in my life. Lastly, I am always up for new challenges and taking on endeavours that better me physically, mentally, and emotionally!”
What core values does you guide herself by on a daily basis:
“Core values I live by include: constantly pushing myself to be a better person. Whether it be exploring new topics or meeting inspiring people, no day should ever go wasted. I value individuality and using my strengths and talents to my full advantage. Everyone has potential, so it is important to find and effectively use it. I do my best to see the good in people because not everyone has the privilege of being seen as important. Even with that reality, it’s ultimately your choice to just see the surface of everyone’s personality or dive deeper.”
What does the position of being the Junior Editor for News mean to you?
“To me, being the Junior Editor of News means that I am up-to-date with what’s happening in the world. In my blogger bio, I mention that the world is always changing, and you can’t deny that fact. When you have a grasp of current events and prevalent issues, there is a stronger connection between you and the people affected. With my love for learning, reading or watching the news fulfills the satisfaction that comes with gaining new knowledge. Along with learning, having a good understanding of what you are reading or watching is vital because you are able to see the world and the people in it in a new light. We are entitled to our own opinions, but being able to look at issues in a new perspective is a catalyst for understanding the opinions of others. We coexist, so despite our different views, the news allows us to come together.”
Why do you think News is a prevalent topic that youth should be aware of and kept up-to-date with?
“News is a prevalent topic for youth to be aware of because it connects us locally and globally. Calgary has been my little corner of the world for 9 years, and I’ve learned that when you stay informed, it opens up opportunities. The reason I started blogging for Youth Are Awesome in the first place was to involve myself in the community. Having that involvement is crucial because in just 5 months, I’ve made friendships and taken chances I wouldn’t have otherwise. In addition, YOU decide the kind of news YOU want to be updated on. News isn’t just about politics, the weather, and economy. If your interest lies in fashion, literature, sports, social issues, funny cat videos, etc, there will be an outlet to keep you in-the-know. Especially for youth, our passions and ambitions should play a role in how we perceive the world. News, regardless of what kind, has an ebb and flow that keeps our interests at heart, and it is one we can appreciate!”
With the new school year coming around, do you have any goals or aspirations you’d be willing to share with us?
“With every school year comes new or reoccurring goals and aspirations, and this upcoming year is no different. Going into the I.B. program, I’ve made it a goal to keep regular how much I study and spend time on homework. Those aspects were inconsistent in grade 10, so having that goal makes maintaining a great standard of academics that much easier. I once again want to be engaged in the arts through choir and musical theatre. I absolutely LOVE performing, so dedicating time outside of my block schedule is a breather from the hustle and bustle of school. Lastly, creating connections by joining programs, committees, and clubs is essential during my school year. To accomplish that, I signed up for the Junior Achievement program, and I’m thrilled! I also plan to stay involved in Youth Central’s many programs, so I’m going to be busy.”
What are some possible challenges that you will need to overcome to achieve your goals?
“As mentioned, I am going to be very busy in grade 11, so challenges are inevitable. However, the best way to overcome them are to prioritize and manage my time well. Balancing school and extracurricular activities isn’t as much a science as it is having the right mindset. That’s not to say I’ve mastered time management because I most certainly have not. Learning to dedicate the right amount of time and not waste it is a learning process I hope to get a good grasp on. As much as I’d like to nap all day, I have put responsibilities on myself that I can’t ignore. So in conclusion, plan, prioritize, and manage your time. There are days I don’t feel like there’s enough time to do everything I want to do. However, we all get 24 hours, so it’s what and how much you do in those 24 hours that separates your challenges from successes.”
What advice do you have to share from your own experiences to your peers/readers?
“In general, advice I have is to stay passionate and ambitious. Life can feel like it’s moving at top speed, so do what you can and do it often! There is so much for us to explore, so put yourself out there and learn to be vulnerable until you have a strong physical, emotional, and mental foundation. As youth, we hold so much potential. We must take every opportunity to discover what we’re meant to be doing. It’s a difficult process, but when everything starts falling into place, you know you’ve done well.”
Any last words to share with your readers upon your excitement regarding your new role?
“My name is Kandace and I like the color orange, lace, and thunderstorms. I also like watching documentaries, but as your News Junior Editor, I promise not to talk about those things. What I will talk about are topics important to youth because youth matter and will always matter. Our ability to create and explore won’t go unnoticed, so in the words of Steve Maraboli, “You’re awesome and designed for success; live this day accordingly!” And, like always, best wishes.”
We wish Kandace all the best on this new endeavour and are all extremely excited to begin working with her. Welcome aboard lovely!
-Infinite Love and Gratitude,
Malika