So… you just got invited to interview for a job you really want to get into. If it goes well and you answer the questions confidently, you could sell yourself to the employer as the perfect person for the job. But if you have no idea how to answer, you could lose a huge opportunity.…
You’ve heard it, I’ve heard it… be a girl boss! Go into STEM! Take over this male-dominated world! And while it is, of course, true that we still lack female representation in some of the biggest industries and fields today (think robotics, engineering, government), the intentions behind encouraging young girls to venture into STEM fields…
If you have ever been involved in the area of giving back in the city of Calgary, Alberta, chances are you’ve either met or heard of Hui Wen Zheng, a core member of various youth volunteer and leadership initiatives. Hui Wen, a 17-year-old friend and volunteer to many in Calgary, uses her actions…
Are you, or do you know a youth who you believe is unique, exceptional, and outstanding? Then you or they might just be qualified to receive a Youth of Distinction Award! {Source} The Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) program is hosted by a steering committee of Youth Central. YODA gives Calgarians the opportunity to recognize…
Abdul Halim al-Attar, Syrian refugee and now the owner of 3 businesses, didn’t have a great start. A photograph of him selling pens on the street in Syria whilst carrying his sleeping daughter went viral throughout the world, sparking sympathy and grief. I remember seeing the picture online a few months ago in August, and…
(Original Image) Why should we give compliments? I still remember back when one of my teachers explained to our class that giving a compliment not only makes the other person happy, but also yourself happy. She contrasted this with insulting a student (for demonstrative purposes, don’t worry). The point she was trying to make was…
It’s that time of year again! Do you know an awesome youth who you think deserves to be recognized? Here’s your chance! The nomination deadline for the 2015 Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) is on March 2. What are the Youth of Distinction Awards? The awards are non-academic and recognize deserving youth 12-18 of age for…
Hello again aspiring debaters, I am back! This week, we’ll be focusing on how to write an effective and powerful speech. First things first, a speech is not meant for you to read off of word for word. If you ever go to a debate and recite a speech, don’t expect to win, no matter…
I haven’t posted in a little while, but I am back! And I am here to continue my mini-series on all of the debating basics you will need to start being a debater yourself. This time, I’ll be talking about how you should prepare for a upcoming debate. 1. Know the topic Whether you’re debating…
I’m back, and as promised, this week’s blog will be all about how you can form a debate team or club at your own school. Firstly, I would like to point out that there is a difference between a club and a team. A team will compete competitively through the ADSA, possibly going to provincials,…
Nicole M’Carthy is a Grade 11 student at Western Canada High School who was nominated in the Leadership category for the 2014 ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (a program of Youth Central). Nicole pulled through as one of three finalists, and ultimately received the award. I had the pleasure to sit down and chat with Nicole…
“It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those that never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and The…
This past week, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and chat with Amanda Calleberg, one of the ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) finalists for the leadership category. ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Leadership Award To be given to a youth who has chosen to take a leadership role in bringing positive change…
If you help others, they will help you back. Sounds obvious, right? Over the past few weeks, I’ve had a eye-opening realization of how important helping others actually is. No action, no matter how small, is without its effect on those around you. People may forget what you said or what you did, but they…
Jessie Weisner is a Grade 11 student at Lester B. Pearson High School, and she was nominated as an outstanding and proactive teenager and was recognized by Kids Up Front and Youth Central’s Pay it Forward project. Jessie has volunteered 125+ hours with the Kids Cancer Care‘s Teen Leadership Program, and puts KCC first, even with her…