At 22, Devon Drumm is a graduate of the Art Institute of Vancouver with a focus on graphic design, has created his own gaming start up called Pepperdev Studios, and is now working on Hungry Fins, a mobile game  app that can be purchased in app stores once funded and produced. Let’s not forget that he can now add “Y57′s Youth of the Month” on to his list of accomplishments!

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“The reason I try to be so involved is that it makes me so excited to be a part of a generation that is trying to make a difference!” These are the powerful words of our very accomplished youth of the month, 16 year old Selin Jessa.

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Calgary born and bred, Cassie Jane Dixon, never really seems to have a second to herself! From being a full time SFU Communications Student, to the Secretary General for the Model United Nations, a Community Advisor for SFU Residence Life, and an integral part of the SFU Relay for Life along with so much more,

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Twelve hours of laughter, tears, celebration, remembrance and fighting all in the name of cancer took place from Friday March 23, 2012 at the Fourth Annual SFU Relay for Life! This inspiring event was hosted by hardworking full-time students, eager volunteers and members of the Canadian Cancer Society.

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Relay for Life 2012 SFU-style is just around the corner!

What is it you ask?

This event could change your life! Join with thousands who have decided to fight back at an event that celebrates cancer survivors and honours loved ones who haven’t survived.

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While most grade 12 students are preparing for prom, choosing their gowns, dates, limos and heels, Sunny Huang, Secretary General of the Canadian High Schools Model United Nations, is preparing for next week’s big Model UN conference. With over 750 people from BC, Eastern Canada and the United States, her focus is making this a memorable event for all. Although she has been involved in one form or another with the Model UN since grade seven, Sunny decided to take a bigger step in grade 10 and is now out there, first hand, making a difference in our community today. At these conferences Sunny explains how the goal is to stimulate the minds of the participants while encouraging debate and thinking. By being a part of such a large group, or what some may call a growing movement, Model UN allows for today’s youth to become aware of the various problems and situations affecting our world today. Not only that, but they are able to discuss, think, and debate on reasons for these situations as well as possible situations for them.

Sunny has not only spent a lot of her life dedicated to the Canadian High School’s Model United Nations, but has also grown a passion for working with the homeless, especially the homeless youth in Vancouver. In fact, for the past year she was a member of the Family Court Youth Justice Committee where they got together to discuss issues and possible ways to improve the situation for our homeless youth. Although this was just a one year commitment and it ended this past December it doesn’t mean that Sunny’s mission to aid the homeless youth is over. Alongside friends and others wanting to get involved in helping Vancouver’s homeless youth, Sunny helps in collecting items (ie: clothing, food, and pamphlets on rehab and growth) and putting together packages for youth. Not only does she drop off these packages to local shelters but you can find Sunny herself on the streets distributing these packages and trying to make a first-hand connection with the youth. It takes a lot to not only makes these packages but to go the extra mile and distribute them, but Sunny doesn’t cease to amaze us with her commitment to her passion to help the homeless.

All the while being a part of the Model United Nations and partaking in assisting the homeless youth in Vancouver, Sunny somehow also finds time to be a regular grade 12 girl, play tennis, and participate in choir.  Sunny shows the youth of today that we are so fortunate for what we have so why not take a moment to pay it forward and help the youth out there that need us most!

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“I didn’t do anything to deserve being born in Canada” says January 2012’s second youth of the Month, the humble Sophie Harrison.

It’s so rare to find a youth so passionate about climate change in today’s society that is driven by fast cars, popular electronic devices, and an obscene amount of energy usage. Nonetheless, we have found our diamond in the rough this month, Sophie, a young woman who passionately states and truly believes that “climate change is the greatest challenge of our generation”!

Just an average girl, playing on a Metro soccer team and running cross country as well as partaking in theatre at Prince of Wales Secondary in her spare time, Sophie can also be found volunteering the rest of her time with the environmental organization she started in 2010, Kids for Climate Action.

It all stemmed from a trip to India where Harrison volunteered alongside her mom at the Ashraya Initiative for Children where she spent twelve hour days teaching nursery school classes and immersing herself into the heavily impoverished community. In her words, the conditions were “appalling.” This was when she realized that she didn’t do anything to deserve being born in Canada and that she needed to bring change in order to earn how lucky she is to be born in Canada. This is where her passion for climate change came into play.

She wants the world to realize that it is not okay for rich countries to pollute while poor countries are suffering. The more we pollute, the more the crops in the third world countries (their means of survival) will deplete. With that being said, Sophie created Kids for Climate Action because she realized that although there are a lot of environmental causes in schools focused on individuals making a difference, there needs to be a MOVEMENT, something to get everyone involved instead. “I can’t wait until I graduate from University to make a difference and be an activist. I need to act now, it’s the future world for my children”. Sophie also brings about an interesting notion: if we, the people, don’t make the environment a priority, the government will not feel it is a priority either.

Lastly, this young woman eager to make a change leaves us with some useful tips!
1. Make changes in your own life – little things do make a difference.
2. Do the little things to make a difference, BUT realize that it’s NOT enough.
3. Ride your bike, take transit, and walk wherever you can

Sophie urges us to realize that “NOW is the pivotal time in earth’s history, so get involved in any way that you can”

Click HERE to nominate someone you think deserves to be named Y57′s Youth of the Month!

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Saying prayers in mosque in front of hundreds of people, flying planes up high in the sky, and partaking in tae kwon do. These are just a few of the wonderful achievements that 16 year old Ilyaz Mapara has been able to accomplish; all the while overcoming the barriers that autism has attempted to put in his way.

Since the day Ilyaz was born, he wasn’t able to see things in the conventional ways that most of us can, because he was born completely blind. However, that gave his other senses a chance to shine and Ilyaz has not let the lack of one sense put a cramp in his style to say the least. Many of us would fear learning to fly a plane but someone who has it harder has taken a bigger step than most of us ever would. On top of having a mere passion to fly a plane, he has pursued his passion and does in fact fly planes, while being blind, with the aid of a co-pilot telling him where to turn and what to do. Ilyaz says it best, “I don’t let autism affect me, I just go with the flow.” He has made a conscious effort of not letting such a barrier get in his way. Furthermore, with that being said, Ilyaz intends to be a pilot some day in the future, and with his ambition and courage there is no doubt he will fulfill his dream!

Now looking further into the life of this inspiring young man, it’s impressive how motivated and optimistic he is no matter what he is doing. Take tae kwon do for example! I’ve always wanted to try it out but feared getting my butt kicked! Nonetheless, here is Ilyaz, not even able to physically see his opponent, his master, or anyone around him, but he jumps onto that mat fearlessly each time and follows special instruction and conducts his moves. So, Ilyaz also shows us that each day he is helped by others to fulfill his dreams and continue with his life goals. If not for the support of his tae kwon do master, it would be difficult to know what is happening. He humbly accepts the love and support of his family, friends, and teachers and reminds us that it is ok to take a little help along the way to the top!

So, when looking at Ilyaz you shouldn’t just see a guy who was born with a few road blocks put in place for him. Rather, you see a courageous young man who isn’t willing to let anything get in the way of his dreams.  He reminds us to “live in the present and don’t ask what’s coming tomorrow!”

Click HERE to nominate someone you think deserves to be named Y57′s Youth of the Month!

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Vancouver’s very own PuSh Festival is fast approaching!

What: The PuSh Festival showcases acclaimed international, Canadian and local artists and mixes them together with an alchemy that inspires audiences, rejuvenates artists, stimulates the industry and forges productive relationships around the globe.

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Woo! 2011 is over and what a year it has been! The Youth of the Months, or YOMs as we like to call them, have truly done some damage on my emotions throughout this year. I can personally say that this show has exposed me to some of Vancouver’s most inspiring, life changing, and wonderful youth! It’s hard to narrow down such amazing people to a top 5 list, but it had to be done.

Please everyone do me a favour though and keep in mind just how inspirational each of these Youth of the Months of 2011 have been and feel free to nominate someone today!

Now, with much deliberation, voting, and decision making (drum roll please),

YOUTH IN 57 MINUTES’ TOP 5 YOUTH OF THE MONTHS FOR 2011 ARE (and in no particular order):

1. Joselyn John
2. Jessica Kruger
3. Katie Lentz
4. Adam Stich
5. Zoya Jiwa

1. Joselyn John went from having to leave her home in Burundi at the age of six due to a civil war, to walking on foot with her family to Tanzania, where refugees were later removed and sent to refugee camps in Malawi. She managed to come out on top with an educational scholarship landing her here in Vancouver at SFU and is now raising money and awareness of the refugee situations and bringing her family to Canada.

2. Jessica Kruger, despite going from working a summer job as a painter and falling off the ladder to later ending up as a paraplegic, has not erased that beautiful smile off of her face. She has seized every opportunity and after already travelling to Africa intends to stick to her dream of teaching English in a third world country! A go-getter to say the least!

3. Katie Lentz was one that changed my whole outlook on the world as I perceive it today. From being an addict to working with addicts, going from the streets, to now working towards a career in Psychology, she showed me how anyone can change their path when they are ready to do so. She reminds us all that life may throw a hard ball at you, but it’s how you handle it that shows who you truly are!

4. Adam Stich, an ordinary guy with an extraordinary dream! From deciding to spend a summer volunteering in a hospital in Nepal he went further to co-found the Khokana Project where his proceeds go towards helping the children complete their education. All the while, he’s been busy studying Animal Biology at UBC, volunteering, being a residence advisor, an active guy, and a social one too!

5. Zoya Jiwa, a girl whose goal is to help people and make them happy, was a real treat to have on the show! She learned early on that life wouldn’t come easy to her, but never let that get in her way. Being diagnosed with Lupus at a young age, she has taken that situation and made it a driving force in her life. She has spoken at TEDXKids, started a group about inner beauty and believing in ourselves, and aspires to continue to motivate the youth of the world so long as she can keep them happy!

So you see, being a Youth of the Month isn’t a clear cut ‘type of person.’ Our youth have overcome various life-altering obstacles, have volunteered, have been motivated to do good, have succeeded when success wasn’t even thought to be possible, and have overall just kept on believing through it all. I’ve said it once, and I will most definitely say it again: Y57’s Youth of the Months are just ordinary people trying to do extraordinary things. However big or small, we can all make a difference if we put our minds to it. In fact, last month, Amy Bains said it best: “It’s not like you have to go out and invent your own volunteer program.” Join something, start something, be a part of something, inspire someone, support someone, do what you can to keep those around you smiling and you are already making a difference!

Lastly, I would like to recognize  each of our Youth of the Months throughout this year and all the nominees for their various forms of ‘good deeds’, kind acts, ability to overcome difficult barriers, inspiration, and motivation!

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“It’s not like you have to go out and invent your own volunteer program” says November’s Youth of the Month, Amy Bains. It isn’t about the recognition or the large groups to volunteer with, or even the large fundraisers to travel across the world and volunteer her time over there. Although these are of course appealing volunteer opportunities, Amy looks at volunteering with a new approach. Being at Kwantlen Polytechnic University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Criminology, all the while working her way through it as a Customs Broker and playing soccer full time on a Division one team, Amy shows that you CAN make a difference if you’re determined to do so!

It started in high school where Amy found herself volunteering wherever she could find an opportunity. She partook in PE Leadership where volunteering was a focus, especially organizing the Community Christmas Dinner for the less fortunate. If there was a volunteer opportunity available, Amy was always sure to find it. However, once graduation rolled around, the inevitable occurred…the real world set in and she figured there wouldn’t be time to continue her voluntary service when the University life style and University homework came about. Nonetheless she made a conscious effort to “be who [she] was in high school and not loser [herself] in the big University world”. Proudly today she can say she succeeded in this goal.

With hopes of becoming a counsellor, Amy finds herself spending her free time, or even creating time, to volunteer with a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD) program called “Totally Beautiful” that was created just over a year ago. This program is based around working with girls who are enduring the hardships associated with FASD. However, as Amy puts it, “it’s based around friendship and helping eachother”. So it’s far from a typical volunteer job where there is a clear distinction between the helper and helpee. Through this program Amy has been able to achieve so much herself. Working with these beautiful girls, helping them improve their self image, their presence in social situations and their focus on life values has also taught Amy and her fellow volunteers a lot. “It seems like our generation didn’t really learn a lot about values-our parents learned it and it seems to have skipped ours”, Amy points out. Through “Totally Beautiful” Amy can honestly say she leaves each week learning something new.

The beauty of this program is that as much as it has helped those with FASD grow it has helped change the perspective on life for the volunteers. The birth of Totally Beautiful seemed to parallel a time in Amy’s life where everything seemed to be falling apart; a time in her life where she only found true happiness in soccer. But, once she joined the Totally Beautiful team she felt it was the first time in a long time she had a reason to smile and it was truly the life altering experience she needed to change her approach to life as a whole. “Working with girls who [for the most part] don’t have a constant parent or person in their life other than you is an eye opener”, Amy humbly points out.

Amy Bains is an ideal example of a woman on a mission! She has her goals in mind for her future, she works full time to fulfill those goals, attends school, keeps sane by playing soccer, yet still makes time to give back and learn a thing or two while she’s at it. “You can find opportunities to help as long as you take time out of your schedule”…the words of a busy woman who refuses to deny herself the opportunity to help others. She said it best, you don’t have to go out there and invent a new program, travel half way across the world to make a difference, all you have to do is find a little bit of spare time to give back and make a difference!

*Totally Beautiful has a women’s group and has recently started a men’s group as well and is always looking for volunteers. If anyone is interested they are welcome to contact the program coordinator Sarah Phillips @ sarah.phillips@shaw.ca

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After living in Australia for five months I decided what better way to end my experience than to grab my new friends and back pack through the outback.

Important Facts:
- AUD = Australian Dollar (it’s water proof by the way)
- Vegemite = a staple spread for your bread, bitter and yeasty but delightful
- TimTam’s = Chocolatey cookies you can have with tea! Bite off both ends and use it as a straw in your hot drink! (a bit messy)
- Kangaroos are in excess in Australia so if you find yourself petting one at a zoo in the morning and eating it the same evening, don’t be too surprised. It is so delicious. Much more tender than beef and CHEAP (that’s always a bonus).
- DO NOT need to pay tip
- Tax is already included in the prices

Lingo:
- ‘How you goin?” = How are you? My mom answered this question with, “by car!” No they are not asking you how you are going to your next destination, they are asking how you are
- Mate = friend
- Yankee = term used to refer to Americans
- G’day = Hey!

Some essentials you’ll probably require:
- Something that can pick up internet/wifi (ie: ipad, laptop, smartphone, ipod touch, etc)
- A backpacking backpack that has comfortable back support because I warn you, that thing will be on your back for hours at a time sometimes. So, a little extra money put towards your backpack will go a long way.
- Like Vancouver, weather is a bit iffy throughout Australia, so depending on its season (theirs are opposite to Canadian seasons), keep water proof gear as well as water proof bags to place on top of your backpacking bag.
- More than one method of payment. Every week or two, HSBC ‘forgot’ I was in Australia and would block my credit card, so having debit or cash is definitely handy.
- Maps and lists of ‘must see’ destinations to see everywhere you go.
- Locks for your backpacks/suitcases

The Hostels:

Let’s start with accommodation. Being a backpacker you’re more than likely to be living in a hostel, versus a hotel. I don’t doubt that if it is a busy season (ie: Christmas/New Year) and you haven’t booked a hostel you may even end up spending a night on a bench. I’ve seen it happen before! So, depending on what you’re looking for, you can approach which hostel you’ll be staying in in different ways.

Personally, I had two requirements: Fairly low costs and the most sociable environment as possible. Some people prefer cheap and private, or they don’t care about the cost but they’re more concerned about the cleanliness and the social environment. So first off, think about what matters most to you!

Use a ‘lonely planet’ or a cheaper method (FREE), the internet and keep your requirements and needs in mind. The best tool I found was www.hostelworld.com and the best part was I had a phone so I downloaded their Hostel World Application and searched according to my price range and requirements and there I had it, a list of hostels available, the costs, the number of vacancies, as well as people’s feedback and comments on their experiences at these hostels.

In Australia, finding a hostel is pretty quick and easy. The two main hostel chains are YHA and BASE backpackers. Most often they cost a little more, but in all honesty they had amazing packages, clean environments, no bed bugs (trust me that’ll be a problem in some hostels), and 100% chance to make new international friends (as long as you are willing and make somewhat of an effort). I stayed in a BASE backpackers for one night by myself while I waited for friends to join me, and I became so close with the couple I was rooming with that they invited me to stay in their home in Germany! All of this in LESS THAN 24 HOURS!

It is good to trust people, but don’t be naive, either. Be a smart traveller and either inquire about a safe at your hostel or have locks for your backpacks. Remember, a stolen passport = a big bump in the road for your trip.

Internet:

Let’s be real. We’re backpacking but most of us still want to know what’s happening in the real world and it is highly unlikely that a local Tasmanian Times will tell us what’s happening on Facebook, Twitter, or the Canadian news. I was lucky because every McDonalds and Starbucks had free wifi, and most hostels had free or cheap internet. Side note: hanging around the internet locations in your hostel you are likely to even make friends with the internationals around you who too are missing home, or trying to catch up on their news.

Locations:

Melbourne:

Want to party or have a night out? St. Kilda is where the beach, amusement park, and chic coffee shops and bars are located, while Chapel Street is where you’ll find definite good eats and great clubs! Ruby Tuesdays was a favourite of mine with the cheap $10 pasta and glass of wine on Tuesdays. Lucky Coq was another favourite that we would hit up as poor University students ($5 AUD for a personal sized pizza = not bad!) Lucky Coq actually turned into a dance club at night on the weekends so a good cheap and fun location for sure!

In terms of shopping, you have some options. Chadstone Shopping Centre is the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. At Queen Victoria Market you can buy fun and unique items, as well as cheap souvenirs. Be sure to bargain! Don’t look too desperate…

Getting around is pretty easy, too. There is a free tram that circles central Melbourne and you can hop on and off this to get a good view of tourist hot spots and see the only Costco in Australia as well.

If arts is your interest, check out the surrounding places around Flinders Train Station (it’s the central train station). There is a museum, a large outdoor talent location, as well as a theatre and art gallery with new shows on all the time.

For those Day/Weekend trips, Phillips Island with the A4 paper sized Penguins, and the Great Ocean Road where the 12 Apostles (beautiful rock formations in the water) are located. A great road trip for sure!

Tasmania:
Although a small and quaint location to visit, it opens the travellers eyes to the unique side of Australia. With its small town mentality and the quirkly Salamanca Market on the weekends you’ll have the opporunity to shop for cheap souvenirs and experience the street music and street food.

Tasmania is also well recognized as a great location to volunteer in conservation projects if you feel like meeting new people and giving back. This was an amazing way to meet new people and make life-long friends as well. We lived in a volunteer home together, cooked and worked together, and spent every waking moment TOGETHER. It was definitely cheap and ideal! CVA (www.conservationvolunteers.com.au).

Sydney:

Of course this is already a favourite for travellers from all around the world! The main locations to keep in mind when in the Sydney region are the Blue Mountains/Katoomba, the infamous Opera House, and of course Sydney Harbour Bridge.

You can book a day trip to the Blue Mountains but considering I spent my Christmas there I suggest giving it a couple nights. Katoomba, where the Blue Mountains are, is a train ride away to the outskirts of Sydney, but it’s a cute small town worth spending a day or two in. While you are there you can actually book a hop on hop off tourist bus ride through the blue mountains and the various majestic waterfalls and hiking routes in the surrounding areas. The rock formations called the three sisters are also a part of this and accompany a heart wrenching story of love and loss. Lastly, don’t forget to stop by the various antique stores…beware, you could end up spending a whole day in each store if you aren’t careful!

To take a tour of the Opera House is pricey, therefore I didn’t do it, but I also had no deep inclination to do it. If opera and theatre are your passion then go for it, otherwise the different views from outside and on the water are perfect picture opportunities.

The Harbour Bridge is infamous for its expensive $300 climb but something many fail to discover is the $9 half climb. You can walk up the pillars that hold the bridge together and get quite a beautiful view from the top for an extremely cheap price! Why not? PS-looking for an original way to propose to a loved one. The harbour bridge has already been used more than once! Romantic nonetheless!

Queensland (Where you will probably spend most of your money):

Although not a lot of time was spent here I can definitely say the essential is the Great Barrier Reef! I recommend not attempting to explore this on your own and rather booking a tour. It may cost a lot but if you’re near one of the wonders of the world, you should be willing to spend a little extra. If you manage to get a large group together it can be cheaper. Remember to keep in mind that there are tours that show you the reef, tours that allow you to scuba dive in it and snorkel, and then tours that only allow you to snorkel so figure out what you want to do while you’re there. Be sure to also check the weather for the days you are booking because a clear day means a better view of the reef.

If scuba diving is what you fancy be sure to not book this if you have sinus issues, a cold, or a heart problem without  a doctor’s note allowing you to dive.

Do you prefer to snorkel? I just snorkelled through the reef and dove in once in awhile and it was beautiful enough for me!
Be sure to have a water proof camera for this portion of your trip because you are going to see some beautiful fish and coral that you’ll never be able find the right words to describe; only photos will do the beauty justice.
The only word that can truly describe the Whitsundays is PARADISE. The water is clear blue and the sand is luminescent white. Be prepared with a good camera because every photo will turn out to look like a postcard. I was with a group of 50 for this so we got onto two motor boats and raced through the water to our very own private beach! It was well worth the money because it was all to ourselves for however long we wanted.

Cairns:
Let’s just say this is the adventure Location of all of Australia! Although slightly bias, look up Gilligans Hostel, and stay there! If you are looking for a great group of people, party times, nice clean rooms and person bathrooms, and a very central location, this place promises to please!

Now, since Cairns is known for its adventure don’t deny yourself of the fun! AJ Hackett has the Bungy jump location where you can do night time jumps into the water.  Mind you, there’s a bar located at the bottom of the jump for some ‘liquid courage’. Furthermore, if you feel like continuing that adrenaline rush, you can attempt to sky dive here too as it is a beautiful location but Cairns is known for its rainy weather so be prepared to have your dive cancelled on more than one occasion…mine was.

That’s all for Australia folks…mind you I didn’t travel to every location and I spent more time in some locations than others. So, don’t take this as your end all and be all for Australia but take it as a little guide to a lot of adventure!

Up next: Campervanning Mayham in New Zealand…few shower opportunities…many adventurous moments.

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