Our Bloggers

Youth Are Awesome is a blog written by youth for youth. Our Calgary-based youth volunteers contribute to the blog. These youth are the decision-makers. They are at the forefront of design, implementation of ideas and maintenance of Youth Are Awesome. They range in age from 12-18 years old and come from every quadrant of the city, bringing a unique view and style to the site.

Meet our bloggers:

Alina

Alina

Hello! My name is Alina and I’d say one of my best traits is creativity. I love writing, making up stories and poems, I especially profoundly enjoy reading. Like a lot. A book takes me to another world. A world of dreams. A world of whatever-you-can-do. Some of my favourite books I’ve read are Powerless, and the Twilight saga. (I’ll take any book recommendations) I am currently a seventh grader and I also do basketball, painting and piano, sometimes I can be shy, and other times I can be quite goofy. I guess we never know. Remember to smile! 🙂

Anie U

Anie U

Hello! I’m Anie, a Grade 10 student and the founder of my school’s Doctors Club. I’m passionate about healthcare, youth leadership, and building communities that spark curiosity. This is my first year blogging, and I’m so excited to share stories, ideas, and perspectives that matter. In my spare time, I love drawing, making YouTube videos, writing about science and faith, and diving into deep questions about the world. As a blogger, my goal is to inspire others to think boldly, learn passionately, and never be afraid to ask “why not me?”

Anne J

Anne J

Hi, I'm Anne! I'm currently a high school student at EP Scarlett, and, throughout my whole life, I've been drawn to everything creative. I love music, visual arts, and, of course, writing. I find joy in being able to express myself and connect with others through words, colors, or notes. I hope my blog pieces not only entertain but challenge perspectives. Outside of school and these creative pursuits, I love to swim, run and read - my favorite author right now has to be Banana Yoshimoto. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing.

Areej C

Areej C

YAA2024-25

Hi, I'm Areej, a 15-year-old in 10th grade who absolutely loves to write! My world revolves around addressing conversations about social issues that we, as a society, should explore. I firmly believe in the power of words to inspire change and educate society, encouraging each person to shape their perspective.
With roots stretching to Pakistan, I've been fortunate to experience diverse cultures and viewpoints that enrich my writing. My goal is to shine light on important information while still having fun!

Avy G

Avy G

YAA2024-25

My name is Avy G, and I am a blogger for "Youth Are Awesome!". Currently, I am in the eighth grade and attending the STEM Innovation Academy. I have a passion for playing both badminton and volleyball. In my spare time, I take pleasure in reading, journaling, and engaging in sports activities with my family and friends. I also find first-person writing to be particularly engaging, both in terms of writing and reading. Additionally, I appreciate the formality of writing when addressing issues or conveying information.

Daniella

Daniella

Hi, I'm Daniella, a blogger for Youth Are Awesome. I enjoy sharing insights on STEM, current events, and entertainment. In my spare time, you can find me drawing, reading, listening to music, or sleeping. I hope you enjoy my writing!

Diva N

Diva N

YAA2024-25

Hi! I'm Diva, a writer with dreams of learning every language, reading every book, visiting every country. However, these aspirations are big and there's so little time (especially with the amount of tests)
I'm trying my best though, apart from English I can speak four languages! Alongside speaking Urdu, I'm fluent in French and I try to write in Hindi (though my attempts might bring a chuckle), but if you need someone to narrate a play or give a speech, I'm your girl!

I enjoy reading, a few of my favourite authors are Franz Kafka, Albert Camus and Shakespeare. I love writing, and will write about anything of interest, from social issues and advocacy to analyzing pop culture trend and cultures.
I want my writing to feel like a starlit conversation, intricate and personal, inviting readers to ponder the theme at hand, and contemplate the universe with me. I hope many young minds will join me on this literary journey and navigate the complexities of the world together!

Diya K

Diya K

YAA2024-25

Hey everyone, my name is Diya. I love playing tennis and learning about pretty much anything science related. I really like writing fan-fictions and about science-y topics such as biotechnology. My favorite subject is science (as you can probably tell), and ironically, my least favorite is L.A. So that's a bit about me.

Elizabeth A.

Elizabeth A.

Hi! I’m Elizabeth A., a grade 11 student at Westmount Charter School in Calgary. In my free time, I love getting lost in a good book, playing the flute, or enjoying a game of badminton. I’m passionate about telling stories that inspire, diving into meaningful conversations about topics that matter to my peers, and shining a spotlight on the vibrant community around me. As a Youth Are Awesome blogger, I’m excited to share my thoughts, connect with readers, and create content that encourages curiosity and engagement.

Ellie P

Ellie P

Driven by curiosity, I enjoy diving deep into topics that spark conversation. Whether its interesting statistics, personal growth, or hidden gems around Calgary, you will always fine me trying to inform and connect with my readers! When I'm not around the keyboard, you can always find me around an interesting coffee shop, exploring parts around the city, or reading a good book in the library. Thanks for reading—stay tuned!

Jeanne Y

Jeanne Y

YAA2024-25

Hi readers! I'm Jeanne, a junior editor and blogger. I'm in Grade 11 and I like to listen to epic rock music while doing mundane tasks, such as brushing my teeth, doing my homework, and cleaning my room.

Just kidding. I never clean my room.

I enjoy playing the violin, swimming, petting kittens, and mentally writing random little stories about my life. I'm also fascinated with the science of language and how communication works. I'm an avid advocate for the power of youth in our society, and I believe that youth can do amazing things when given the chance. For that reason, I encourage you to keep reading and I hope you enjoy!

Jia J

Jia J

Hello, I'm Jia! I enjoy reading, and Alex Stone's Perfect Daughter is my favourite book. When I have the time, I like to play badminton and write short stories. I want to help people and learn as much as I can about science and medicine, so I hope to become a doctor someday. I'm a big fan of trying out new restaurants and coffee shops—I love giving recommendations. You can probably find me talking with friends when I'm not writing or reading.

Jianna H

Jianna H

YAA2024-25

Hello readers! My name is Jianna and I'm a writer who loves uncovering the secret joys of everyday life and surrounding myself with the arts. I play the pena, guitar, drums, and sing, I also enjoy drawing and painting in my spare time. Most days, you can find me rewatching episodes of The O.C., cuddled up with my crusty white dog (whom I adore) while sipping an iced chai latte.

As a writer, I’m all about the uncharted, whether it’s a newly discovered species of fungi or the latest rising rock band. I hope you enjoy my blogs!

Khanh Linh

Khanh Linh

I'm a Vietnamese international student, and I like to explore interesting facts about the world. My hobbies in my free time are reading novels and manga, watching YouTube videos about world facts in many area that pique my interest. I enjoy writing about science, politics, and soccer–my favourite sport–as well as analyzing historical and fictional characters to understand human nature and how our world works. With my writing, I hope that it will inspire others to have critical thinking about what happening around the world and encourage them to explore our world freely by sharing my thoughts and verified information.

Kheta

Kheta

YAA2024-25

I'm Kheta, a Grade 10 student passionate about creativity and self-expression. Dance has been a significant part of my life, especially Indian Classical, which I'm currently pursuing in a seven-year course. In my spare time, I love playing badminton, painting, and diving into various genres of books—my journey began with A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. I also enjoy math and believe in the power of youth to drive change. As a blogger for Youth Are Awesome, I aim to amplify my voice and inspire others through my writing, sharing insights that resonate with my peers.

Krupa P

Krupa P

Hello, I'm Krupa, one of the bloggers of YAA. I am currently in Grade 9 this year at my amazing school FFCA. I am a passionate writer and love to write short stories! In my spare time I always like to pull out a book and get comfy in my bed 🙂 I am excited to be writing blogs for youths and I hope I can inspire others to join YAA in the future!

Photo of Natania

Natania V

Born with a pen in one hand and a notebook in the other, I am on a mission to explore the ever-evolving world of youth culture, share their unique insights, and connect with young minds from all corners of the globe. With an insatiable love for writing and a keen eye for what makes the young generation tick, I hope to become a voice of our generation.

Nelo Anne

Nelo Anne

Nelo Anne is a Calgarian student in grade ten who has adored art forms such as writing, reading, visual arts and music for as long as she can remember. She draws inspiration from people, emotions and nature, and is always looking to learn new things, instruments and languages. She is very interested in current events regarding social justice and climate change, and dreams to someday publish a novel that blends storytelling with meaningful social commentary. Fun fact: Nelo is an INFJ personality type- she has a black belt in overthinking and a minor in quietly plotting world peace.

Nova Astrov

Nova Astrov

Your local daydreamer, yapping about things no one cares to mention in casual conversation. I enjoy writing about things that I have no one to talk about with, and hope that this blog can bring a sense of comfort to at least some. If not comfort, then perhaps it'll ignite the tiniest spark of curiosity in your soul, to learn more about the world through other people's thoughts. Anyway, here's your chance to look into the minds of our youth.

Sabarish M

Sabarish M

Hi! My name is Sabarish, and I am a grade 12 student at Western Canada High School. I am deeply passionate about the field of Engineering, and I love solving problems and tackling tasks that require critical thinking and creativity. I am very fond of Physics and the STEM field as a whole. Outside school, I love volunteering at Youth Central and playing chess. I also enjoy reading Science Fiction novels, such as The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner. As a blogger, I strive to broaden my knowledge and develop my writing skills.

Sina M

Sina M

Sina is obssessed with any type of media. She loves to read anything on breakthroughs in research to jazz and R&B album reviews. Master of connections between seemingly unfamiliar things, she likes to show insights and explain phenomena to anyone close to her, and now for anyone scrolling on the YAA website.

Spencer W

Spencer W

Spencer is a dedicated Grade 12 AP student at Ernest Manning High School with a strong passion for law, politics, and literature. Spencer enjoys writing about political discourse, fashion trends, and advancements in technology. Over the past two years, she has become a decorated Albertan debater and taken on leadership roles in both debate and Model United Nations within her community. Spencer has contributed to her community through volunteering and competing in the Calgary Youth Science Fair with a neuroscience project. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, thrifting, and is rarely without a book in hand.

Suha Arvapalli

Suha Arvapalli

YAA2024-25

Hi, I'm Suha! As a blogger, I enjoy writing about topics that engage youth in conversation about the world around them, and how their actions can make an impact. My pieces focus on providing relatable, practical advice for Calgarian students while introducing fresh perspectives on current issues. As a Junior Editor, I thrive in leadership positions and love to be organized. Google Sheets hates to see me coming...

Outside of the YAA committee, I express my creativity through the arts, whether its through playing the piano or performing Bharatanatyam. With my favourite subjects being chemistry, math, and biology, I'm fascinated by the connections between the arts and STEM. Among naming aromatic compounds, learning my next Chopin piece, and choreographing varnams, writing & reading remain solaces in my chaotic schedule.

If you need book recommendations, I got you!

Sukrutha in front of mountain

Sukrutha J

YAA2024-25

My name is Sukrutha Jambur Sachin and I am a grade 10 student. I like to involve myself in different hobbies like singing, playing the piano, reading, volunteering, and writing. Writing is a medium of expression to me, and I feel that every word has its unique place in my writing. I believe that my writing is at its best and is strongest when I write from my heart and write about what matters to me. As a blogger for Youth Are Awesome, I strive to amplify my voice and make it heard to several youth around the world as well as fulfill my responsibility as a blogger who wants to create blogs and content that several youth can connect with and relate to.

Tanushri

Tanushri

Hi, I’m Tanushri, a blogger passionate about journalism, current events, and exploring ideas that inspire creativity. Writing helps me think critically about the world and share my perspective on social issues that matter to youth. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, cooking, discovering new music, and exploring nature. I’m known for my humour, creativity, communication and marketing skills, optimistic mindset, and eagerness to learn in new environments.

Valeria Z

Valeria Z

YAA2024-25

Hey all! My name is Valeria, though most people call me Val. I’m a Grade 9 student at Louis Riel School and also an avid reader for adventure and fantasy, along with biographies and memoirs. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me, especially on topics I care about. Some interests of mine include synthetic biology, genetic engineering, human longevity, and finance. Outside of academics, I play competitive basketball, table tennis, piano, and singing. I also love horses! Fun fact: I share my space with three hermit crabs who constantly keep me on my toes 🙂

Vasundhara J

Vasundhara J

Hey! I’m Vasundhara, and I joined Youth Are Awesome to share my unique thoughts and ideas with you. In my free time, I love playing basketball, painting, and reading! I was born and raised in Fort McMurray and recently moved to Calgary two years ago, and I’m excited to publish my work. I’m passionate about diving into overlooked topics and showcasing fresh perspectives. Whether it’s exploring local culture or discussing environmental issues, I aim to inspire and have fun conversations within our community.

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Xinlei L

Hi! I’m Xinlei, a grade 10 student at Western Canada. I enjoy journaling, drawing, gaming, cooking, and getting to meet new people! I occasionally play badminton and pingpong for fun, but I’d like to play more. I love volunteering and giving back to the community, and I hope my blogs will interest and bring discussion. I admire those who can articulate their thoughts in an artful way, and I’m excited to improve my capabilities as a blogger here one article at a time. I look forward to inspiring new ideas with my own, and make a lasting impression with every read!