Introducing ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) recipient of the Volunteerism award, Taylor Lambie. “The Volunteerism Award is given to a youth who is truly selfless and dedicated to helping others. Though not necessarily in a leadership role, this youth has shown commitment to bettering their community by volunteering their time to a cause they are…
Are you a motivated person? It seems like my motivation is constantly fluctuating. There are days where I will be inspired to work hard and to live my life to the fullest. Most of the time though, I’m feeling the summer blues. Despite having an abundant amount of time, a lot of it is wasted because…
What is Crash Course? As the name implies, Crash Course is an educational YouTube channel that provides a crash course, or a condensed and simplified discussion on a subject. John Green and Hank Green, which are names you may be familiar with, run this channel. John teaches literature, US history and world history, while Hank teaches…
I like to do a lot of DIYs to keep me busy over the summer, and when I got to give my bedroom a complete makeover this year, I knew I had to get creative in order to stay within a reasonable budget. Here are two different easy and affordable DIYs you can do to…
(Original Image) I have a passion for design and making things look pretty, and not being a very good artist is basically the bane of my existence. Many people tell me I have amazing writing, I can doodle designs and make beautiful posters easily, but for some reason all my drawings end up looking like…
If you are anything like me, you will understand the annoyance of packing. Especially because I am a “light packer,” I have to go through this tedious process where I have to sort in my mind what is essential and what should remain at home. Among my peers, I am renowned for my light-packing skills.…
Last week, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Camp Fur, Fins, and Feathers. This children’s camp took place at the Calgary Humane Society. I got to interact with wonderful children, staff members, volunteers, and animals. I really got to know the Humane Society firsthand. I learned that there are many ways an individual can…
Papercraft is the art of making models by folding paper, cardstock, or cardboard. It is basically origami, except the paper can be cut and can contain multiple pieces. Papercrafts can range from super cute shapes to cool figures. My favorite play-pretend as a child was teatime, and to this day I still love the idea of…
Admittedly, this odyssey you’re about to embark on may be longer than most of YAA’s blog posts, but I believe it’s worth your time, if only because it features not me, but Harrison Hart, a ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) finalist for sportsmanship. Harrison, who is a Grade 11 student at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir, having just…
Every year, millions of animals get put into shelters because they have no home. These animals are loving creatures looking for a second chance at life. Adoption is the biggest way you can help these animals out. The mission of these shelters is to rehabilitate animals. When I was volunteering with the Calgary Humane Society, I…
First, before I immerse myself in explaining the complex processes behind drawing hands, I’ll give you a short intro on what you need and a few tips while drawing. First, have an HB pencil and at least two pieces of paper (trust me, if you have never drawn a hand before, I can’t guarantee the safety of your…
What is Humans of New York? In the summer of 2010, photographer Brandon Stanton equipped with a camera and an idea, ventured out to the New York streets to take portraits of citizens and share their unique stories. Humans of New York (HONY) is the name of this undertaking, and similar projects have appeared in other…
Jasmine K. Summer… it’s the perfect season for fun under the sun and getting more than sufficient amounts of vitamin D. However, with the season comes the nagging need for skin care; exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage and in some cases, skin cancer. But don’t fret! It isn’t too late…
Summer road trips can be a hassle to pack for, as are all packing adventures. The endless driving on an endless road can be painful, but some of us love the drive, and the many stops along the way. However, there is fun to be had watching the scenic trees slip by. I personally enjoy watching…
Festive and jovial celebrations often call for the consumption of cake. Cake is one of those things that is well understood around the world, somewhat like a universal language. Yet, what isn’t as worldwide and universal is how you distribute this delicious treat. The common, simple, and ever popular pie cutting method allows equal and fair…