YODA 2016: Nominate an Awesome Youth!

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…

Nominate an awesome youth!

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…

Debate: writing a speech

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…

How to prepare for a debate

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…

Debate: Starting a team

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,…

What is leadership?

“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…

Youth in the Spotlight: Jessie Weisner

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…