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.
I was in Grade 2 at the time. Our principal was a huge hockey fan, so he live-streamed the final parts of the final game between Canada and the USA on a projector during lunch. Now, I’ve always liked the Summer Olympics better, mainly the swimming and the tennis, but I’m not going to lie. The hockey final of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is not something I’m going to forget. I remember the players skating across the ice. I remember the puck flying around the rink. I remember the Grade 6 kids in front of me making racist jokes and getting yelled at. But most of all, I remember Sidney Crosby’s gold medal goal at 8 minutes into overtime, the 90 some kids in the gym screaming their heads off, and Canada winning the game.
I’ll be very honest, sports have never been my forte. Badminton is arguably the sport I’m best at, and I’m still awful at it.
However, just because I am utter garbage at every sport doesn’t mean I dislike them. I’m that guy in your school gym class who gets super excited to play baseball and always tries their best, then proceeds to strike out every time they’re up to bat. That’s still better than the guy who just never tries, I guess. I should know because I’ve been both. When I was younger, I really didn’t try during sports. I wasn’t good at them, so why would I try when my 100% is equal to the other kid’s 70%? However, when I was younger and still a bit right now, I also was extremely impressionable. I saw those “People Are Awesome” videos and I wanted to be like them. I heard an amazing song and I wanted to play it on the piano (It’s called Flower Dance by DJ Okawari. You’re a cool person if you know it.). You read a blog post on a site called “Youth Are Awesome” that was so good that you decided to read the other posts and eventually chose to become a YAA blogger. So back then, when I saw the Olympic athletes playing at a level 17.34 times higher than I would ever reach, I naturally wanted to be like them. I began to actually try when playing sports. Nowadays, I’ve long given up on being an Olympics athlete, but I still make sure to put in that extra effort while playing sports, and I try to do my best at most things, even when I’m awful at them. Writing blog posts is a great example of this.
Just imagine this three times in a row. That about sums me up.
The 2010 Winter Olympics didn’t only affect me. It shook Canada as a whole. That year, Canada broke the record for most gold medals won by a hosting country; 14. All over the country interest in sports and Canadian culture drastically rose. Everyone, from PEI to BC, was proud of Canada, even the kids in my school who didn’t like sports at all were talking about the Olympics. Other reported benefits across Canada were the increased involvement of minorities along with a larger sense of recognition for disabilities. While a lot of good things happened elsewhere, the biggest changes were where the Olympics actually were hosted: British Colombia. British Columbia’s economy grew with new businesses and 45,000 new jobs appearing, along 226 million dollar increase in tourist spending, all of which were attributed to the Winter Olympics. People speculate the net gain from the games alone was 2.3 billion dollars. That’s enough money to supply the annual salaries of approximately 64,000 Canadians.
The Olympics may be a source of pride for all athletes from across the globe, but the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics were more than that for Canada. They were a symbol of success for us, and I hope that the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics go just as well.
Ah, 2017, exactly 150 years after Canada first started its confederation. There were many ways to celebrate Canada’s 150 Anniversary throughout the country (like free park passes, the travelling red couch, toonie design contest…), here are them broken down into regional events.
Alberta
Alberta had the Community Initiatives Program’s (CIP) Alberta Canada 150 stream which provided $2 million to support projects that align with the four themes for the federal Canada 150 approach:
Diversity and inclusion, and the building of common interests and relationships;
Supporting efforts toward reconciliation of indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians;
Engaging and inspiring youth to carry forward the legacy of Canada 150; and
Connecting Canadians with nature and raising environmental stewardship to the level of national consciousness
The CIP provided countless opportunities to create lasting memories of Canada’s 150 Anniversary, including this series by YAA bloggers. Additionally, in the great land of national parks, free park passes were given out to anyone who wanted them. Free access to parks like Banff, Jasper and more, was a great way to get out of the city and enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds us here in Calgary!
The celebrations are still on-going for Canada 150 in Alberta. There is a Points of View: National Human Rights Photography Exhibition which will feature over 70 photographs submitted by Canadians. The photography exhibition is meant to ignite a conversation about human rights as they pertain to Canadians. This a free show and it opens on November 14, 2017, and will close on November 19, 2017.
British Columbia
British Columbia established a funding program “to celebrate B.C. communities and their contribution to Canada,” with $7.6 million invested in more than 220 projects throughout 150 communities. The funding went to museums and heritage sites throughout the province.
The city of Vancouver refers to the anniversary celebrations as Canada 150+, to recognize Indigenous peoples in Canada who lived in Canada before the confederation. The city’s celebrations included the Drum are Calling Festival, Gathering of the Canoes, and Walk for Reconciliation. Vancouver is situated on the territories of the Musqueam Nation, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. These three nations provided permission for Vancouver to celebrate the Canada 150+ events.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Newfoundland Insectarium and Butterfly Garden updated their exhibits and made them bilingual. These changes were put to celebrate the unity of Canada 150.
In honour of Nova Scotian Joshua Slocum (the first person to sail around the globe in the late 1890s), project coastline got two youth groups to build canoes named 1867 and 2017 to sail along Canada’s eastern coastline.
A chair rescued from the side of the road dubbed the “Canada 150 chair” (believed by artisans to be made the same year as confederation) is now being passed around to people and important landmarks, so residents can take a picture of it, and sit on it to tell everyone why they love Canada.
Ontario
Niagara Falls officially launched its Canada 150 activities at a flag raising ceremony on January 27, 2017.
Many other events are planned for Ottawa 2017. Including many cultural and food events, the 2017 Canadian Video Games Awards, and other sporting events including the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, and the Canadian Track and Field Championships.
Toronto’s iconic 3D Toronto sign was fitted with a large illuminated 3D structure of a maple leaf prior to 2017 at the end of the sign.
Hundreds of musicians are expected to perform together in Toronto to set a Guinness world record for the largest rock performance, by playing four as-yet-unannounced Canadian rock classics. Organizers of Canada Rocks 150 hope to attract 1,500 musicians.
Dubbed the Great Canadian Flag Project, Windsor, Ontario is erecting a 150-foot (45.7-meter) flagpole to fly 60 feet by 30 feet (18 meters by nine meters) Canadian flag.
Quebec
Canada 150 in Quebec coincides with celebrations marking the 375th anniversary of Montreal, where notable projects include decorative lights for the Jacques Cartier Bridge and a new headquarters for the National Film Board of Canada in the Quartier des spectacles.
*These events I mentioned are mostly big ones, most of the provinces just encouraged local or backyard celebrations instead of large-scale ones.
With the recent number of mass shootings that unfolded in the United States, I thought I’d compile some info and provide a basis for considering political perspectives on gun policy. That being said, I’d like to offer my condolences to those affected by these atrocities.
The US occupies 82% of all gun deaths worldwide.
Number of guns for every 100 people, by country (2014)
It’s clear from this chart that American civilians possess a huge quantity of guns – 1.01 guns per every person, and about 42% of all guns found in the world, while representing only 4.43% of the total populace. (Some context to consider is that the US is one of the only countries in the world permitting unregulated and unlicensed ownership – you just have to be 18 to buy a shotgun or rifle, or 21 for all other firearm types.)
Discussions about gun policies are usually spurred by events such as the Mandalay Bay and Texas church shootings, but mass shootings make up just a fraction of the total firearm victims. And the usual focus when these talks do happen is to regulate military-style rifles, even though 70% of murder from guns were due to handguns. Many argue that restricting gun laws won’t bring this down, and only undermines the ability of citizens to defend themselves, because criminals get their hands on guns regardless of legislation – like in the Paris terrorist attacks.
Gun-related homicides by country (2014)
There is some support behind this argument. If you look at this chart, the US is 20th in the list of gun-related homicides, with its total homicide rate per unit population below the world average. It’s likely that even with heavy gun regulation, the homicide rate wouldn’t change significantly.
But there’s the danger of assuming that’s all there is to it: the US possesses 82% of all the gun deaths worldwide (study). So although American instances of homicides are lower, more fatalities occur in each case. A probable reason is that criminals would be armed better, and with lethal intent, knowing that their targets would have firearms of their own.
A common argument for less gun regulation is the attribution of shootings to the mentally ill; however, a 2010 study found that only 3-5% of violent crimes were due to “serious mental illnesses” – and most didn’t even involve guns. Looking at statistics is always important when it comes to objectively assessing rationale.
As with any controversial topic, there is no straightforward approach to resolving the gun control issue. Real stats supplied by non-partisan organizations are difficult to come by, and media tends to exaggerate and mislead. The best way to reach a conclusion is to think for yourself.
To be upfront, I doubted whether our friendship would ever last, but in the year and a half that I’ve known you, I know now that time has no correlation with the strength of a bond. I may have only met you a year and a half ago, but I feel a deep connection to you that can’t be replicated.
So thanks for being you. Thank you for all the times you listened to me. Whether it was during my first heartbreak or during one of many meltdowns over the stress of school, you were always there. Let it be known that your unwavering patience and love has been the greatest gift you’ve ever given me.
I’ve been betrayed and hurt time after time by those that I love and hold dearly to my heart, leaving me sick to my stomach. But you’ve never crossed me in such a way. I’ve told you things I’ve never told anyone before, and you continue to accept me as I am with no prejudice or discrimination. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that there is somebody I can rely on without fear of judgement. And I hope you know that I’d do the same for you.
Thank you for staying on the phone with me late into the night. Our late night phone calls at the expense of my sleep are some of my favorite memories shared with you. You often listen to me protesting the idea of staying awake to talk to you when the clock strikes two o’clock in the morning, but I think you’ve come to the conclusion that it’s all in jest and that you are worth a few lost hours of sleep.
Thank you for listening to me obsess over my favorite musicians, and even obsessing WITH me sometimes. I’ve always longed for a friend with whom I could share my affinity for indie music with, so I’m pretty convinced that we were destined to be best friends… Even if your taste in music catches me off guard at times.
And thank you for being patient with me. I haven’t been a great friend in the past as a result of my desire to be alone sometimes, which is unfair to you. I’ve learned that communication is key, and I regret the months I took you for granted. So thank you for making me think. Not just about myself, but others. I think sometimes you have to rebel to truly find yourself, but if I’ve learned anything from this friendship, it’s that maybe you don’t need to rebel, but instead have a really good friend.
It’s funny how accurate the saying “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone” is, as that’s the exact sentiment I keep revisiting in the time since I’ve last seen you. A year and a half may have gone by since I met you, but I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. I’m so proud of who you are and who you’re going to become. I’m also immensely grateful to have been around to see you grow as a person and I am so excited for the next time I get to see your stupid face. You are a blessing and I can’t believe you tolerate me, but thank god, because I can’t imagine not being your friend.
It started 30 years ago, June 1987, with a fresh graduate from William’s college, and 90 kids from all walks of life, a summer service program for Kansas youth. That day, Youth Volunteer Corps embarked on a mission to provide youth with opportunities to volunteer, not only addressing issues within their communities, but inspiring a lifetime ethic of service. They’ve come quite some way since then. With over 300,000 youth engaged, and 34 locations across Canada and the United States, Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) has transformed lives all over North America, mine included.
Wow! What a snazzy group of volunteers! (taken from my camera roll)
It was two years ago when I started my journey with YVC; A tiny, timid child, fresh out of elementary school, showing up to a project on the other side of the city, surrounded by grade 12 students. In any other situation, being in the vicinity of anyone that tall, frankly, would have sent me running in panic. But from the very first project, despite the extremely tall volunteers, and the 32 mosquito bites I received in the span of two hours (yes, I did count), Youth Volunteer Corps, and Youth Central, its host organization, felt like a family. 2 years, 700 volunteer hours, and a sizeable stack of volunteer shirts later, YVC has given me so many opportunities, lead me to meet so many incredible youth, and brought me quite a few places, most recently, Kansas City, Missouri (still don’t quite understand American geography?), for YVC summit 2017.
Yes, for Youth Volunteer Corps 30th anniversary, their annual summit was held in Kansas City, where it all began. And Youth Central was so lucky to receive enough funding to send two of our volunteers (myself included!) from the YVC program to attend, along with a super cool Youth Central chaperone!
What kind of nerd travels to the US, and hits up the jazz museums first? This one. (photo taken from my personal camera roll)
Our journey to summit started bright and early, Thursday morning, 4:30 AM at the airport. Now I had admittedly pulled what was essentially an all nighter, so I was a tad bit exhausted from band concert, to last minute packing, to being at the airport nauseatingly early, but nevertheless, I was extremely excited for my first (of, hopefully many) YVC summit(s). From Calgary to Salt Lake City, and then to Kansas City, it was a grueling day of TSA checks, and layovers, but so worth it. Our first day, from watching the sun rise over SLC, to touching down in briefly-warmer-than-Calgary-but-not-for-long Kansas City, to visiting the American Jazz Museum (!!!), and watching a Kansas City jazz band perform, to gorging ourselves on ribs at the legendary Kansas City barbeque, Arthur Bryant’s (Obama ate at this barbeque!), I felt so immersed in the culture, and I was falling for this city before the actual summit even started.
Needless to say, the summit was everything I could have imagined, and so much more. Held in the beautiful Kauffman Conference Center, it was two amazing days of speeches, activities, and workshops, with a mass service project, and a beautiful dinner/awards ceremony to end it off. I met so many inspiring, committed youth and gained many valuable lessons. I really wish I could write about every single person I met, and every new experience I came across, but I’m not sure there are enough words to do it justice. So as per my usual debater structure, here are three things I learned from YVC summit 2017:
a) “Murica” is not as scary as I had built up in my head.
It’s been a while since I’ve stepped foot in the states, and if I’m being totally honest, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about being back for the first time since… certain political changes. Especially with Missouri being considered Midwestern/Southern, and a generally red state, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect in terms of what their attitude towards us technical “foreigners” would be. And frankly, being some weird Chinese kid from Canada probably did not help me blend in; I didn’t dare try to emulate their ever-so-slight Southern drawl, and as it turns out, being in Kansas really brought out the “eh” in all of us Canadians, so a camouflage plan wasn’t exactly a viable one. But it took us about 2 hours within landing to quickly dispel that fear. In fact, one of the first things we remarked about Kansas was how incredibly nice everyone was. It was almost unsettling? Because we came in on our high horse, thinking Canada was the nicest place in the world, and that no one could top us, but somehow, Kansas did. From the doting receptionist at the Country Club Plaza visitor centre, to our Uber driver turned unwitting Kansas historian, to the charming Miles Davis look alike who greeted us at the American Jazz Museum, Kansas was a city that made me feel immediately at home, it just felt like was such a loving, and accepting community, and I was enraptured by everyone I met.
Your favourite Calgary youth delegates representing! (taken from my camera roll)
Funnily enough, being one of two Canadian locations at the summit (fun fact: Youth Central was the first organization in Canada to house the YVC program, making Calgary the first Canadian affiliate, and up until the establishment of YVC Terrace, was the only Canadian location), us Canadians became almost a novelty amongst the American affiliates. It was a weekend of being constantly queried about Canadian stereotypes, from our free healthcare, to our fanatical love of Tim Hortons, hockey, and maple syrup, to our relentless winters, to our “president with the wooshy hair”, and basically being an ambassador to everything Canadian. We definitely felt very special, and as it turns out, I had nothing to be afraid of, being the only 2 Canadian volunteer delegates amongst all the Americans. We even had a few kids from the YVC of Greater Philadelphia ask us to autograph our group photo before we left. So while my original fear was that America was going to swallow us whole, we ended up almost being Canadian celebrities!
b) YVC Calgary is incredibly lucky to be able to function the way it does, but there’s always more that we can do.
The most interesting part, by far, about attending summit, was interacting with all the other YVC affiliates, and seeing just how much their programs differ from Calgary’s. Apart from being one of two Canadian locations, and having one of the biggest programs within Youth Volunteer Corps, we function drastically differently from a majority of the other affiliates I was fortunate enough to work with over the course of the weekend. It was absolutely fascinating to learn about how the YVC programs that preside in smaller towns literally create their own volunteer opportunities to address community issues, and that almost all volunteers are involved in this planning process. Being such a large program, the YVC Calgary doesn’t need to create its own projects in order to have projects; we have agencies contacting us, requesting volunteers, and having all volunteers implicated in the planning process would be nearly impossible with a program of our caliber. Nonetheless, the projects that they had planned were exceptionally carried out, and had impacts that are definitely different from those of our YVC program’s projects. I had never previously realized all the work that goes into creating, and coordinating a project from scratch, and I definitely look forward to hopefully incorporating some of these new types of projects with distinctive impacts into our program.
All of the amazing youth at summit who received a 100 in 1 award, presented to those who dedicated 100 hours or more of service to their community within the span of one year. Can you spot your two Calgary delegates? Courtesy of the YVC Facebook Page
It also stunned me how advanced Calgary’s YVC program is, in comparison to some smaller affiliates. While we were at summit, there was a lot of talk about YDAT (YVC Database), a new, uniform database to make signing up for projects, and tracking hours easier for affiliates. Our YVC program has had a fairly developed database for years now, but as it turns out, for certain locations, volunteers would have to physically sign up at the local headquarters, and hours were tracked manually, as in, by hand. It really helped put into perspective how advanced our program is, and I’m so proud to be a part of such an exceptional affiliate. In fact, while presenting the certificates for the 100 in 1 award, Youth Central had to take home several envelopes with certificates, on account of how expansive our program is!
c) There is absolutely no place I’d rather be than with my amazing YVC family
At the end of the day, YVC summit really reminded me of why I love volunteering so much, and why I am so proud to be part of this amazing group of youth. YVC summit was no doubt one of the most valuable experiences I have ever been lucky enough to participate in, one that cannot be quantified within a single blog post, and it was astounding to meet all the extraordinary youth changing the world in their respects. If I thought the volunteers I met in Calgary were intimidatingly impressive, the youth I met at the summit were jaw-droppingly accomplished. I am so incredibly grateful to have attended, to have been able to partake in all the unique experiences, and to have brought back with me the everlasting friendships, and memories I created there. Youth Volunteer Corps is about more than building houses, it’s about building families, and bonds, and that’s something that I really felt that weekend. This program brought me to Kansas City, it brought me up to be who I am. So there’s only one question left. Where to next?
One of my favourite moments from the weekend, meeting the totally rad mayor of Kansas City, Mayor Sly James (taken from my camera roll)
One of my most favorite extra-curricular activities in Calgary is attending Model United Nations (MUN) conferences. Usually occurring over the course of two days, these events are held by various high schools across the city, draw hundreds of student participants, and are a great way to develop your public speaking skills and knowledge of international relations.
That previous sentence may have scared you. Public speaking? International relations? Doesn’t that make Model UN sound like one of the most stressful and (potentially) boring experiences on the planet? Well, I would admit that the activity isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. However, if arguing over topics like addressing the nuclear threat of North Korea, combating terror in the Middle East, or solving the HIV/AIDS epidemic at all interests you, I guarantee that you will find a MUN conference extremely enjoyable.
You do need at least a slight bit of interest in politics to fully enjoy the experience, however there is absolutely no requirement to be an expert in whatever issue. After all, the rest of the room will be other high school kids, just like you. I also strongly hold the belief that you should never “knock it before you try it”. In Grade 10, I wasn’t really sure if I would like participating in MUN, and the thought of public speaking honestly made me pretty nervous. However, after attending my first conference, I immediately knew that I had found an activity that was truly special. I’ve compiled some of my favorite things about MUN into this post, and I hope that after reading it, you could maybe give Model UN a shot.
1. Develop Your Public Speaking Skills
We’ve all been in the situation before of needing to give a speech, presentation, or interview. It could have been for English class, or even a job application at your local grocery store. Regardless of when we needed it, I think we can all agree that being good at public speaking would be extremely useful. The only problem is that in order to get better, you need to practice. And what if practicing terrifies you? Public speaking often ranks as one of the most common fears that humans share. How can you improve yourself if the thought of attempting to do so petrifies you?
That’s where Model UN comes in. If you really do have a desire to improve your public speaking skills, there is almost no better place to do it. Every conference is a completely judgement-free zone; everyone respects and recognizes the desire of everyone else to learn. Sure, there will be well-practiced delegates who have spoken publicly perhaps for all their lives, but at the same time the majority of the room will be people who may not be as comfortable giving a speech.
That’s why the environment is great to practice your public speaking. It is a safe environment for you to give your best shot, and you learn to further develop your feeling of self-confidence and overcome your fear of speaking. The satisfaction that you feel from having contributed is also amazing. If you are unhappy with your ability to speak in public right now, I promise that if you put your best foot forward in a Model UN conference, by the end of the process you will feel easily a thousand times better.
2. Learn to Convince People
The United Nations is an international body focused on compromise and collaboration. As a delegate, you are tasked with best representing your nation’s interests, and that often means engaging in discussion with other countries to reach an agreeable outcome for everyone. To make something clear, the speaking in Model UN is far from only giving speeches! Even if you aren’t the most comfortable with speaking to an open audience, in parts of committee called “unmoderated caucus”, the entire room is able to get up from their chairs, mingle, and discuss the issue at hand.
This is where you really learn to make good arguments. People are going to disagree with you. Delegates who represent countries that are allied with yours may have your back. Together, you will debate issues, brainstorm solutions, and come to a compromise on contentious issues. A large part of Model UN is convincing people to follow a course of action in your nation’s best interests, but after the conference you will see this skill applied to so many other aspects of life as well.
Wouldn’t you like to be able to better convince your parents to get you something you want? How about an interviewer to give you a job or position? Persuasiveness is an extremely valuable skill to possess, and Model UN is a great way to develop it. I can also vouch for the fact that these skills will also help you once it comes to personal bonding and cooperation skills once you do land a job, or find a relationship – personal or professional – that you value.
3. Learn More About International Politics/Relations
When it comes to information, we live in an age where we are practically overloaded. Go to CNN or CBC News and you can find articles on dozens, if not hundreds of happenings all over the world. How are you supposed to digest it? After all, practically no-one would find multiple hours of just reading the news particularly interesting.
But the beauty of Model UN is that it draws to attention some of the more important issues affecting the world. When a conference releases the topics that each committee will discuss, you know that your scope of reading the news and doing research is narrower. You can find more specific details, likely be a lot more open to learning, and in the process probably end up learning a lot more as well. Rather than being required to know “everything going on in the Middle East”, perhaps your topic would be narrowed to “illegal arms trade in the Middle East”. There is a significantly noticeable difference in the relative levels of knowledge required to talk about the former as opposed to the latter.
However, if the idea of research scares you, don’t worry! MUN is a lot less demanding than you think in terms of what you need to know. I already mentioned that you don’t need to be an expert on any given topic, but beyond even that, the conferences are set up in a way that is meant to be particularly open and accessible for delegates with minimum-level background knowledge. Most of the interesting things that are said come up in committee, rather than from research. The great thing, though, is that you still learn a lot just based on the synthesis of knowledge of every delegate in the room contributing their own knowledge, facts, and views on a topic. Knowing more about international relations could come in very handy for Social Studies, no?
4. Meet New People, and Just Have Fun!
My personal favorite part of Model UN conferences has to be the friends you make and the connections you form. While discussing issues of global relevance you will hear separate perspectives and work with practical strangers. However, usually by the end of the conference these “strangers” have evolved to become great friends!
The MUN community of Calgary is extremely close-knit, yet always extremely open to finding more interested students. You also don’t only connect with high school peers – coaches from across Calgary love to talk about MUN as well! The more you expand your own network, the more people you have to reach out to for help in the future with developing your professional career. Need a reference? Your MUN friend started a student organization and wants you on the team? All of these are potential benefits to be found.
And don’t forget that making new friends also makes things a lot more fun. After attending your first conference, you have people to stay in contact with, hang out with, and work with again at the next conference! While in committee itself, you can collaborate on creating solutions to issues that you can all be proud of. And if you do particularly well, you can also cheer each other on if you win awards by the end of the conference!
Hopefully these benefits can make you considertrying out Model UN. Most high schools in Calgary already have a club that you can join, but if your school does not, it’s just as easy to go to the office and consider starting one! Some popular annual city-wide conferences are the Sir Winston Churchill MUN conference in October, the Westmount Charter School MUN conference in December, the University of Calgary MUN conference in February, and Western Canada High School MUN conference in April! As well, there are often national and international experiences offered within the MUN community, with conferences in cities like Montreal and New York that attract delegates from all over the world.
Finally, another great opportunity if you are interested in getting started with MUN is to attend the Objective Resolution Calgary learning conference which will be held in early 2018, and focuses on curating a fantastic beginner-level MUN experience! For more details, stay tuned to objectiveresolutioncalgary.com, and you can also follow the Facebook page!
I sincerely hope you give MUN a shot. I promise you won’t regret it.
Season one had taken over in 2016, and now 2017 is blessing us with another season. Thank the Netflix Gods for doing this because this show had quickly become one of my favourites. I finished the first season in an embarrassingly short amount of time, and I can’t wait to do it again. October 27 was the day of days. Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come, let the national binge-watching of Stranger Things begin!
Season two opened up with a question that left everybody shook: are there more like Eleven? There are more surprises and secrets in this season, for sure a step up from the previous season. We get to see more of Will Byers and more of this new character who tries to join the party, Max(ine). Let me just say that things definitely got stranger.
Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) is more consistent in season two, and noticing this now, he is actually such a good actor. When he cries, I cry, when he hurts, I hurt; Noah Schnapp is doing an amazing job portraying Will Byers because you can really feel what he’s feeling. Still being tormented by the Upsidedown, I think this season focuses a lot on Will’s mentality. Even better, this season shows more of the friendship bond between the friends, especially Mike and Will. You get a deeper view into their relationship and it will honestly give you insane friendship goals.
Max is the new girl who moves to Hawkins and immediately steals the hearts of Dustin and Lucas. A bit of a tomboy Max is, caught the attention of the boys with her skateboard and ability to destroy Dustin at video games. She has a difficult time integrating into the party since there is so much she doesn’t know, but slowly she discovers more and more into the hidden secrets of this small Indiana town.
And who could forget about Eleven? Our heroine disappeared at the end of the last season but fear not, she never went far. Millie Bobby Brown is beyond talented when it comes to portraying Eleven. Everything she does seems so authentic and gives Stranger Things that special greatness it possesses.
Just when you thought that season one was the best thing you’ve ever seen, be prepared for season two because, in my opinion, this one out-wows the previous. The plot becomes so much thicker and so much more interesting. The “strange things” go way beyond Hawkins, Indiana and I feel like the show itself will just get bigger and bigger. Season two contained some really unexpected twists and never failed to bore me. It’s so intense and scary, I had no idea that those kids could act so well, this is honestly oscar worthy stuff.
Season two is a huge step from season one. I think it will be a one everybody will enjoy.
Also bonus: we got a whole lot more Steve Harrington and I’m all for him; I love Steve Harrington.
I am a creative, or slightly psychotic, whichever you prefer, person. And, because of this, I have a lot of ideas. A lot. As in quantity, not quality. I’ve also recently discovered the joy of writing short stories. If I’m going to imagine stupid things, I might as well put them on paper and name them really edgy names, or use amazingly atrocious alliterations so people like you will read them. Saying this, most of the stories I come up with are awful or so confusing that no one but me understands them. However, every now and then I come up with a story that is actually understandable by most people. One of those times was recently, and I wanted to share a quick story that explains why planets move the way they do.
*This is not scientifically correct. I take no responsibility if you fail science class because you say that the planets rotate because they don’t like the light. Also, if you think this story is bad, you should read the 4-page story I wrote on a love story between electrons and neutrons. It had drama, romance, and action; it was perfect. Let’s just say perfection is a subjective thing and leave it at that.
*****
Long ago, millennia before lower lifeforms came into existence, the universe was a different place. The workings of the world, unbound by the fragile logic of humanity, were spectacular and confounding, and would be seen as utter nonsense in today’s age.
In the beginning there were only planets. They floated amongst each other, talking freely under the cover of the eternal night. This peaceful, gentle dark remained for millions of years. All the planets thought it would stay that way and were very happy. There was just one problem; the star, Sun.
The Sun was born from ethereal nothingness like all the other planets. Just another dull floating sphere in the dark. However, for some reason, all the other planets hated the Sun, and paid it no attention it. When the Sun tried to talk to them, they all distanced themselves from it. After doing this, they realized they couldn’t talk to each other, so they began to continually circle around the Sun in order to get close enough to talk to each other.
Confused as to why all of the other planets ignored it, the sun became determined to make itself noticed. It laboured for years and years on something no one could ignore. When it was finally ready, the sun ignited, bringing to the world something never seen before; light.
The light was brilliant. Piercing and pure. It shone to the outer reaches of the universe, scything through the ebon curtain of space. It blinded the planets so they had to turn away. The planets all began to yell at the sun; screaming at it to stop. Saddened by the fact that no one liked what it had done, the sun put out its light and returned the universe to a darkened slumber.
Years passed, the Sun stayed dejected and alienated from the rest of the planets. Then, one day, new lights burst forth into existence everywhere. Other stars from every corner of the universe had seen what the Sun did, and sent back their own light. The planets tried to turn away from every star’s scintillating glare, but were completely surrounded, forced to always be blinded, no matter where they looked.
The Sun, aware of the existence of others like it, was overjoyed. It began to shine as brightly as it could. To this day, the sun still shines, and the planets still circle around the sun, perpetually turning in the hope that one day, the light will stop.
Marcus Chung
Low quality Short Story Author since age 9 and 3 quarters.
The type of guy to put things at the bottom of the article where most people won’t see it.
Pretty much how the electron-proton story is that opposites attract, with the proton falling in love with the electron. Eventually, as they spent more time together, the electron grew happier and happier, becoming less negative in both senses. However, same charges repel, so once the electron and the proton were both positive, their relation started to fall apart and they broke up. They both turned negative from that experience and never could love each other again. That probably would have been more interesting than planetary movement IMO.
My municipal election experiences over the last few months have been filled with many moments – happy, sad, exciting, and disappointing. From a young age, I have been exposed to politics and campaigns, but for me this particular election was special. It was the first time I was old enough to truly understand and contribute my own time and expertise as a volunteer.
I have to say that over the last three months, what I’ve been exposed to, seen first hand and taught has been like nothing else before. Volunteering on an election campaign has been a huge learning experience because I have engaged in so many activities I never would have done otherwise. I was pushed out of my comfort zone whether it be through knocking on strangers’ doors or learning how to operate a voter identification database. Most importantly, I was inspired by so many individuals, regardless of whether they were working on the same campaign as me or not. Over the last few months I have met so many engaged citizens who are deeply passionate about making this city a better place. And, for that I am thankful.
However, to be completely honest, not everything during this campaign was positive. I also saw a whole lot of hatred. Not only in the mayoral race, but also in multiple councillor and school board trustee races. There were racist comments, threats made, and vandalism of signs and offices. Personally, I greatly appreciate the democratic country in which I live where all citizens are given the opportunity to vote for who they like and even run for elected office themselves if they wish. I think its great when people have different opinions and the freedom to debate on what is best for their city. I believe that is what elections should be all about; platforms, and policies. What made me most upset on multiple occasions during this election, was when it become about personal attacks towards candidates or their volunteers rather than ideas. Every one of us has the right to express our opinions, but I think the biggest takeaway from this election for me was that we must always remember to do so in a respectful way.
In the end, after investing so much in this election, I am proud of my city. I am extremely pleased that over 58% of eligible voters came out to cast their ballots; the highest voter turnout our city has seen in a municipal election in more than 40 years.
Being a young female of a minority race who is passionate about getting involved in community, it made me happy that we elected one more female councillor than last term, and a more diverse City Council in general.
Finally, I’d like to say congratulations to all of the returning and new Calgary City Council members! You have all worked extremely hard to get to where you are today. I wish you great luck and success in the next four years!
Connections are everything, good luck trying to get anywhere without them.
So what are connections? It’s when you’re friends with people all around the community, when your friend circles are large and diverse. If you asked my introverted grade 9 self, you would get an answer along the lines of, “Intelligence is everything. Who you know does not matter, as it is what you know that makes you truly successful.” However, entering high school made me realize how important the people you knew were. If you can create a group of people that share same interests as you and have the same mindset as you, then you are already doing great in high school.
There are perks that come with connections. For example, I wanted to get into the community of debate and Model UN, but I could not do it on my own. There were people already in that particular field that I could learn and receive guidance from. Me realizing that connections in high school were important might’ve been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You can be the best doctor in the world, but no one would ever know if you didn’t have people that see it. You could be the best lawyer ever, but it will be hard to get hired if you don’t have people already working in the field. Connections unleash the potential stored in you, and makes your abilities go to their limit.
Update On My IB Experience
Week of October 14th: Oh no, my science marks dropped below 90, what do I do, I guess I’ll just procrastinate on homework because that has always proven to be something I could rely on in my junior high years right?” Wrong, and my suffering marks do just enough to prove it. Also, who knew that you actually had to “participate” in gym, who even does that anymore these days?
You know what? Maybe I can just try hard enough again and bring my marks up to the 90s, I mean, what else does an IB student do other than study and study?
Should I just give a grade 10 point of view on the over-hyped topic of IB, would people actually care? 😛
Hi guys, I’m back with more rants! I hope you’re all ready for this one because I’m going to be releasing all my “two-months-into-high-school” frustration. Going into high school, in my opinion, is an experience that you could try to explain but could never understand completely unless you’ve been there. It’s more of a feeling rather than a description. And here are these feelings, without further ado, welcome to the life of an AP student.
For some reason, in high school, time seems to pass by ten times slower. The first day seemed like forever ago even though it had only been a matter of a couple of weeks. I remember the very first day of class; I thought it was so hard like nothing would ever be as difficult as that very first class. MAN, WAS I WRONG. Looking back, the first day of class was actually the easiest. If I could ever go back in time, I would hit myself for every time I complained about school in Jr. High or elementary. I had no clue what real hardship was. But, I swear, in the future when I’m in university, I will be laughing at how hard I thought high school is. I guess that’s just how it goes, but for now, let me rant about high school.
THERE’S SO MUCH STUFF TO KNOW. There is so much information!! And!! This term!! I have social, math and science AP!!! I have so much work to do consistently, but you can catch me watching Netflix almost all the time. Procrastination is a witch and she’s back at it again. Honestly, I’ve lost track of how many quizzes I’ve had to do. The only subject that I’m not freaking out in is gym. In science AP, there’s probably about three things I actually understand. I’M SO LOST. I don’t even know what I don’t know. WHAT EVEN IS A CELL?? I! DON’T! KNOW! The only thing I know about biology is that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell!! I literally can’t.
I have to balance studying, sports and piano?? IT’S HARDER THAN IT SOUNDS TRUST ME. And, not to mention, I’m supposed to get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep?? HOW? I DON’T UNDERSTAND!! IT’S ONLY BEEN TWO MONTHS! WHAT EVEN?!
Me when I was little: *gets a 95* hm, okay.
Me now: *gets a 95* wow, first off, I’d just like to thank Jesus for blessing me with this grade. *wipes tear*
And if you miss a day of class, mind as well just have missed an entire chapter! I do not understand the people who skip because I cannot afford that kind of stunts. HONEY, if I skipped even just half a class, I’d come back to 5864 pages of notes and 32 textbook questions due for tomorrow. Like, you wanna skip? Okay, you better hope that Superman comes with you because I don’t know how you’re going to catch up on all that class you missed. My camera roll used to be full of selfies and pictures of friends, now it’s all notes.
OH? You wanna hang out?? Here, let me just check my schedule real quick… Sorry, but from today until the last day of school, I’m studying for the 54 tests I have. THEORETICALLY, I SHOULD BE BUSY WITH ALL THE WORK I HAVE TO DO BUT SOMEHOW, SOMEHOW, I ALWAYS FIND THE TIME TO BE WATCHING A NEW TV SHOW OR STALKING PEOPLE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA!! AND ALSO, SLEEP IS NO LONGER A CHOICE BUT A PRIVILEGE. MY MOTIVATION TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING IS TO THINK ABOUT HOW IN ABOUT 15 HOURS, I CAN SLEEP AGAIN.
But for real though, I think I’m doing alright in school. Lately, I’ve just been obsessed with my grades to the point where I’m checking my grades online every ten minutes. My mom always asks me who I’m texting but I’m like “lol, my grades”. You can catch me dying/crying inside when I get an 80% instead of a 90%. “School doesn’t even matter,” I say as I finish all my homework and study for the next ten quizzes. “I don’t even care about grades,” I say as I shed a tear for that one 83% two weeks ago. IT’S HARD, SCHOOL IS COMPLEX. I NEED A SIX MONTH VACATION TWICE A YEAR!!
That’s life of an AP student for you. This rant will be continued later, stay tuned!
‘Oh, I’m strictly a nerd. Thus, I’m actually obliged to refrain from exercise.’
For many years now, I’ve been guilty of using this line or something similar to justify the lack of exercise in my life. Though the truth may or may not simply be that I’m too busy or lazy to be bothered with exercise, I’ve found it more fulfilling, and more humourous at times, to suggest that my lack of exercise is due to my fitting into the stereotype often associated with bookish people like myself. This stereotype is quite untrue, however- I’m sure we all know people who excel in athletics just as much as they do in academics, and so while my excuse may invoke a couple of chuckles, it cannot be used as a legitimate reason to avoid exercise.
In fact, I can no longer avoid exercise (ironically because of the IB nerd that I am). Though IB students may commonly be seen as kids who do naught but study, there actually is this pesky little thing called CAS (creativity, ACTION, service) that we have to fulfill in the event that we actually want our IB diploma. If you haven’t already heard IB kids (especially desperate grade 12s like myself) complain about this, you will, and trust me, you will tire of it, so I suppose I’ll move on.
The reality is, exercise is necessary for all of us to live a healthy life. Whether we like it or not, we need to take care of our bodies in order to live the way we want to (not to mention eat the food we want to), and so we are all obliged to incorporate at least a little exercise into our daily lives. I like to think that my brain is my favourite part of my body, as it’s where my being is largely centred, and the idea of losing it truly terrifies me. Knowing this, I’ve tried to motivate myself to exercise by telling myself my brain depends on it. Sadly, this alone hasn’t quite inspired me to exercise, and really, it’s only now that I have no choice due to CAS that I’m seriously looking to get involved in athletics. I’m actually quite grateful that now I have to exercise though, and I hope that not only will I start strongly now, but I will also continue to exercise for a long time.
Another idea I’d like to discuss is that of inspiration. I was inspired to exercise for my brain’s sake- but I didn’t do it. I was inspired to become a strong athlete when I saw strong athletes compete in shows such as American Ninja Warrior- but I didn’t. There have been so many places from which I could draw inspiration to exercise, and yet my own reluctance to do so led me away from it, no matter the strength of the inspiration. Even if I did begin doing a few sit-ups a day for a short period of time, I gave up soon after, and so it appears that my nature really is to avoid exercise. I wonder, then, just how much people can really do to make themselves start an activity they don’t want to do, and just how much power we really have to motivate ourselves to start.
…
But of course, this isn’t something to just think about and do nothing on- I have, after all, seen many people successfully motivate themselves to begin exercising. My dwelling on the matter is another sort of excuse I use to procrastinate exercising… so I guess I might as well get started!
Being a musician with poor time management, and too many things to do, it’s really difficult to find quality time to practice. Between school, extracurriculars, and then coming home to homework and sleeping family members, I gotta admit that I often put off practice when it’s inconvenient.
But those days are over. There are no more excuses to put off practicing, because of a silent house, thinly walled motel room, or fussy room-mate. Because you’re about to learn about a lifesaver known as silent practice.
Now, I’ve heard a lot about silent practice, and mental practice, and all these “revolutionary” methods, most of which I used to regard as pseudoscientific bogus. Being more of a traditionalist when it comes to music, I always believed that truly effective practice warranted immediate response, and feedback from the instrument, as musicality is a fickle, and ever changing variable. So how, then, could it be possible to develop those skills without actually playing the instrument?
But as it turns out, sometimes silence can be golden, even in a discipline such as music. From studying scores, to technique exercises, to investing in a “silent instrument”, there are really effective ways to practice without having to bother the unfortunate individuals in your vicinity. Even professional musicians swear by some of these methods.
Of course, being a bit of a skeptic, despite all the attestations, I was always a bit dubious about the real results of this method. Testimonies, of course, can be easily manipulated, and coerced. But all the while, it was the night before a big band test, and there was no way my family was going to be happy with the piercing sound of an alto saxophone at midnight repeating a scalal sequence over and over again. So I built my saxophone, left out the reed, and decided to give it a go.
The night of, if I’m being honest, I didn’t feel the difference, except for that it was driving me a little bit nutty not being able to hear what I was playing. Although I was singing the scale in my head, when saxophone keys click, the air from the key being pressed creates a tone, but not necessarily the note that would sound had I been playing it, so my “scale” sounded like it was jumping around all over the place. I spent about an hour going over fingerings, using my usual techniques; section practice, tempo increases, etc, until I frankly, got too tired, and accepted the fact that my performance on this test was going to be mediocre at best, and decided to just go to bed.
Clearly, I wasn’t feeling too chuffed when I walked into band the next day and built my instrument. But when I ran through, I found that I could just blast through it without even thinking about it. And when it came to my turn, I was playing it double my original speed, calmly, and clearly, and I thought: “so maybe silent practice does work…”
One of the easiest ways to practice without actually picking up your instrument is to really get to know the music you’re playing. This works especially well for travelling, be it long car rides, or flights, it’s easy to whip out your sheet music, and learn your piece without being disruptive. Whether it’s analysing structures and patterns, or following along with a recording of the piece, studying the score really helps to familiarize yourself with what you’re playing
William Mengelberg’s score of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony (source)
This is one of the stranger sounding ones, and it’s not something I would recommend trying in public, but sometimes, it can be extremely effective to vividly visualize practicing your instrument. Focus on how your fingers move, or how your breathing may change, and even mime those movements without your instrument. Work on how a certain phrase might be shaped, or how different phrases fit together, and how you can achieve that. I did this constantly back when I still played piano, and although it may seem frustrating at first that your fingers might not do what your brain wants them to, you’re making more familiar neural connections, making muscle memory easier.
I know this is one of the more mundane aspects of being a musician, but technique is very much the foundation needed to build musicality upon. Technique is easy to practice without your instrument, be it finger stretches, building muscle memory, practicing bow turns, or working on breath control. Furthermore, it is more beneficial long term, as technique is applicable to everything you play, rather than just studying the score of a single piece you’re working on
(source)
Again, not the most exciting part of music, but once again, it is a crucial base, and once a rhythm is learned, it can be applied to everything you do. Rhythm exercises are probably the most easily practiced with no resources. From finger drumming on a desk, to tapping your feet on the train, to gently clapping a rhythm to learn, or reinforce, it’s useful, and accessible to rehearse.
So with that, I hope you never catch yourself thinking “it’s inconvenient, I’ll do it tomorrow…” Because playing an instrument doesn’t have to be disruptive. So if you’re questioning the great question “To practice, or not to practice”, simply follow the chart below:
It’s the weekend before Halloween, so we can count on there being many annual spooky events going on throughout the city! While the temperature is still [barely] above freezing, it’s a good idea to go out with friends and see what’s going on this weekend. Even if the jumpscares, pumpkins and horror movies aren’t for you, there are still other events that you can go and enjoy among the festivities— if you currently don’t have plans, then you’ve come to the right place!
Haunted Calgary
When: October 27, 28, 31 – Low Scare 2:00 pm-4:00 pm, Full Scare 6:00 pm-10:00 pm
Where: 222 Rocky Ridge Bay NW, Calgary AB
Cost: Based on donation (Suggested: $10 and a canned food item)
Website: https://www.hauntedcalgary.org/
The biggest haunted yard attraction in the city is back to scare Calgarians since starting in 1987. This year, the haunted house’s theme is Hollywood Horror. This event goes towards a great cause, as the attraction is built entirely by volunteers and proceeds support the Oops-a-Dazy Rescue and Sanctuary Society and Calgary Food Bank. With the varied levels of jumpscares and its proximity to the Tuscany LRT Station, it’s a great way to get involved in the Halloween festivities while supporting charity! Check out their website to view photos of the haunted house from previous years!
A Night of Stargazing at Ralph Klein Park
When: October 28 from 7:00 pm-10:00 pm
Where: Ralph Klein Park, 12350 84 Street SE, Calgary AB
Cost: Free
If you’re looking to unwind and lose yourself in the night sky, head on over to Ralph Klein Park to view constellations, galaxies, and planets through outdoor telescope stations provided by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. This event is free, doesn’t require pre-registration, and offers complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, and tea provided you bring your own mug— what’s not to like? See the event listing on Facebook here.
Halloween Howler
When: October 28, starts at 8:00 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, 3777 Grey Eagle Drive, Calgary AB
CJAY 92 has prepared a night of concerts with participating bands including The Headstones, Big Wreck, One Bad Son, and The Vidos! All ages are welcome, and wearing a costume while enjoying the music is encouraged— there will be prizes awarded throughout the night and the best costume gets a free trip to the Coachella Music Festival!
Maker Faire Calgary
When: October 27-28, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary AB
Cost: Single Day Pass- $12, Weekend Pass- $18 (for students & youth aged 6-17)
Maker Faire is an annual event that exhibits a wide variety of innovations from individuals and groups across Calgary. Participating designs come from all kinds of fields, like 3D printing, visual arts, computers, vehicles, fashion, food, and more! This large-scale “Show & Tell” event is a great way to glimpse future products and participate in activities and presentations as well. Check out their website for an extensive list of the makers and exhibits!
Dirty Laundry’s Young Company: Stranger Soaps
When: Twice monthly, October 29 from 7:30 pm
Where: Lunchbox Theatre, 160 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Dirty Laundry’s Young Company is composed of up-and-coming actors aged 13-20. Their staged soap opera for the 2017/18 season is set in a small American town where children are mysteriously disappearing. The show runs twice a month until April, so there will be other chances to tune into this completely improvised performance after the October 29 showing. However, the whole premise of the show is definitely fitting for the season!
Those closest to me are well aware of the fact that I love Autumn. Several seconds spent surveying my bedroom will corroborate this fact, what with my orange blanket, jack-o-lantern themed figures and gourds that adorn nearly every surface in my room. That being said, I recognize that Autumn isn’t for everyone. For many, the thought of shorter and darker days looms overhead and school work may be starting to pile up, causing a lot of stress and anxiety. But despair not! I’ve compiled a playlist of songs that remind me of Autumn to accompany you during your day to day activities. So sit down, plug in and listen.
Track Listing
1. Back to Autumn – Tall Heights
2. Dirty Blonde (Acoustic) – Arkells
3. Asleep – The Smiths
4. Blue Ridge Mountains – Fleet Foxes
5. Where’s My Love (Acoustic) – SYML
6. Winters Kiss – Blossoms
7. Narrow Margins – Half Moon Run
8. Autumn Leaves – Ed Sheeran
9. Only Ones Who Know – Arctic Monkeys
10. Take Care – Beach House
11. Black Mambo – Glass Animals
12. Fallingforyou – The 1975
13. Candles – Daughter
14. Seasons Run – The xx
15. Sleep Apnea – Beach Fossils
16. From the Dining Table – Harry Styles
17. Uncomfortable – Wallows
18. Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings – Father John Misty
19. Fire Escape – Half Moon Run
20. Adeline – Alt-J
21. Big Black Car – Gregory Alan Isakov
22. Bela Lugosi’s Dead – Bauhaus
23. Disorder – Joy Division
24. No. 1 Party Anthem – Arctic Monkeys
25. Yellow Flicker Beat – Lorde
26. Don’t Come Back Another 100 Times – Slum Sociable
27. Despair in the Departure Lounge – Arctic Monkeys
28. Everyone Requires a Plan – The Lumineers
29. Sorry – Halsey
30. Hourglass – Catfish and the Bottlemen
31. Sedona – Houndmouth
32. Free – Gabrielle Shonk
33. Riding on the Wind – The Wooden Sky
34. Lullaby – The Cure
35. Stop the World I Wanna Get Off With You – Arctic Monkeys
However, just because I am utter garbage at every sport doesn’t mean I dislike them. I’m that guy in your school gym class who gets super excited to play baseball and always tries their best, then proceeds to strike out every time they’re up to bat. That’s still better than the guy who just never tries, I guess. I should know because I’ve been both. When I was younger, I really didn’t try during sports. I wasn’t good at them, so why would I try when my 100% is equal to the other kid’s 70%? However, when I was younger and still a bit right now, I also was extremely impressionable. I saw those “People Are Awesome” videos and I wanted to be like them. I heard an amazing song and I wanted to play it on the piano (It’s called Flower Dance by DJ Okawari. You’re a cool person if you know it.). You read a blog post on a site called “Youth Are Awesome” that was so good that you decided to read the other posts and eventually chose to become a YAA blogger. So back then, when I saw the Olympic athletes playing at a level 17.34 times higher than I would ever reach, I naturally wanted to be like them. I began to actually try when playing sports. Nowadays, I’ve long given up on being an Olympics athlete, but I still make sure to put in that extra effort while playing sports, and I try to do my best at most things, even when I’m awful at them. Writing blog posts is a great example of this.
Toronto’s iconic 
I have to say that over the last three months, what I’ve been exposed to, seen first hand and taught has been like nothing else before. Volunteering on an election campaign has been a huge learning experience because I have engaged in so many activities I never would have done otherwise. I was pushed out of my comfort zone whether it be through knocking on strangers’ doors or learning how to operate a voter identification database. Most importantly, I was inspired by so many individuals, regardless of whether they were working on the same campaign as me or not. Over the last few months I have met so many engaged citizens who are deeply passionate about making this city a better place. And, for that I am thankful.
Being a young female of a minority race who is passionate about getting involved in community, it made me happy that we elected one more female councillor than last term, and a more diverse City Council in general.
