Think Ahead!

I can not believe this is my last blog post! Wow time has flown! Thinking about the future can be somewhat scary. Although right now I am not completely certain what I want to do when I graduate and what I want to be, I know that I will never stop being involved or being a leader!

This summer I applied for a three week international exchange to Israel, if I were to be accepted to this it would be the experience of a lifetime. Traveling has the potential to be a great opportunity to learn so much. I feel it is essential to learn all I can about other cultures and to take any opportunity that is placed in front of me. 

For me the fact that I am graduating next year seems crazy! Grade 12 is so close. Next year I will definitely stay involved in school, being my last year I plan to get involved in everything I can. I love the Social Action group at my school and the leadership team and next year hopefully I can take on larger roles in these groups, also next year I want to get involved in the grad steering group and help to plan my graduation. Next year in cadets I am very excited to take on new leadership roles in my squadron! Being involved has taught me so much more than just going to class everyday, I have become a very well rounded teenager. I have gained confidence and grown into the person I am today from my involvement.

After high school, unlike many of the other Horizon Students, I am unsure of what I want to be. Right now I have thought about other music education, primary education or entering the Canadian Forces for military law or infantry. My mom often says that my mind changes depending on the day, and I guess that's true. The plan today is to attend MUN after High School for my first year and go from there. I know for certain that I will attend MUN because it is a great university, what I am going to study there is the problem (haha)! I am positive by the time I am applying for university next year I will absolutely know what I am going to do! As for involvement that is a no brainer, I will definitely continue to be involved!

I can not believe this is my last blog, it has been very rewarding and fun! It's really taught me a lot about myself and allowed me to reflect on why I am a leader and why I am involved. It has been great to get to know a little bit about everyone, you are all great leaders and great members of your communities! I really hope to see all of my fellow horizon students soon, and if not i know I will see you all again at leap and when we enter MUN! 

Tweet It! :D

This blog was a little harder for me. I have a twitter account but I really only ever used it to fallow my insane careers teacher who is a major hick and tweets all the time his twitter is @EVHCAREERS haha and to follow the dance moms because i have a huge obsession! Doing this blog kindof opened my eyes to a different use for twitter, and it was really nice to see so many empowering organizations and people, I didnt know what ones to choose so here are a few I really was inspired by:

WWF (World Wildlife Fund)

@World_Wildlife The World Wild Life Fund is dedicated to protecting the future of nature. Their vision is a future where people live in harmony with nature. There are so many animals that are in danger, WWF is preserving species and their habitats, they are in 100 different countries, helping communities preserve their natural resources, they are ensuring nature is a factor in the the decision making of individuals, communities and governments and that nature is thought about in marketing production. Our globe is in a natural mess, and WWF is standing up to not only protect what is left but to clean up some of what is lost. On twitter they're are updates on what WWF is currently doing and information on how individuals can get involved. I really am inspired by this organization because you always here about the affects on the environment, however not many times do you hear about the effect on animals, I truly feel right now the environment and species should be a concern of every single person.This is the twitter account https://twitter.com/#!/World_Wildlife


TWLOHA 
@TWLOHA To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.  TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery. This movement is one that i find very close to myself, I've went through rough times, and I know what it feels like, if it wasn't for those around me and the continued support of my family and friends that i got through it. The only fear I have is for those who dont have anybody. In Canada 300 youth take their lives every year, suicide and self harm are on the rise, standing against this is hard, however if everyone comes on board together we can help out our neighbor. You never know what the person next to you is carrying, and if we were all made an effort to be a little nicer we could make life a little brighter for someone else. follow TWLOHA for information, inspiration and get empowered by the difference people are making for the lives of others! https://twitter.com/#!/TWLOHA

Change 

@Change is a campaign empowing millions to rise up and start and join campaigns for social change in their communities. Have you ever thought about where your chocolate comes from? would you still enjoy endulging in this delight if you knew it was a result of child labour? How about your iphone, is it worth the blood, sweat and tears that the factory workers put into it? because many of apples factories are so bad that workers often perminatly loose the use of your hands. The change campaign is a great tool to get informed, get educated and to take charge, start your own social change. I would strongly encourage you to follow them https://twitter.com/#!/Change.

Twitter is a great way to follow your favorite celeb, to share with your friends, but it is also a great tool to get inspired, empowered and to make a difference. Start searching because I know when you do you will find great organizations like I did and find a new great reason to use twitter!

What I'm Into!

The question what are you into I actually find hard to answer, maybe its the fact that I'm never usually asked it, more often than not the question is what are you not in. My whole life I've been involved in so many different things and I have always loved it. For me explaining each activity/group I am a part of may be hard, so I'm going to explain it using the 4 main sectors that make up ME! The four are: School, Church, Cadets and the Community.

School

I am very active in my school, being active in it is something I highly pride myself in! We spend at least 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for about 10 months in school why not try to make the best of it but getting involved? In school I am a part of the relay for life team, I am a breakfast program volunteer, a part of tutoring for tuition, on the public speaking team, I was a server at the grad, took part in the 30 hour famine, organized the "Coats for Kids" campaign, I am in Band, Choir, Drama club, Leadership(which is similar to student council), Social Action and Social Action executive. Although I love all of the activities. If I had to choose a favorite it would be Social Action. Last year we were a group of about 12-15 students who were very dedicated to humanitarian work, we had food bank drives, collected enough money and boxes for 30 Operation Christmas Child boxes, we had a clothing drive, continued to raise funds for our compassion child, raised thousands of dollars to buy gifts for the happy tree and the single parents society, we organized a female empowerment day for younger girls and lots more. This year we have done so much as well and our group has grown to almost 40! 

Church

My church has been very important for all of my life. I attend The Grand Falls Citadel church where I am a member of The 4real worship team, The Solid Rock Brass Band, the senior band and the NL West Divisional Youth band. I am also a Senior Soldier, I teach Sunday School, I am a Kids Club Jr. Leader, I attend teen cell group and youth group, a vocalist, speaker and pianist. Over the past year I have helped out with and attended junior youth councils, various fundraisers, operation Christmas child, Rally day, Praise kids performances, the Red Shield Campaign, see you at the pole, Christmas Kettles, Preforming at seniors homes,  serving Christmas dinners, Bay Roberts Band/Ministry trip, YC and other youth camps. Being involved in the Salvation Army is always something new, we are more than just a denomination, we are also an organization dedicated to serving others. William Booth once said, “While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight, I'll fight to the very end!” One thing that is very unique to the Salvation Army is the brass band, at my church we have a youth band that we call SRB, it got it's name when we went to Edmonton on a youth band exchange, and  a senior band. Also there is a Divisional Youth band that takes in all of the many churches around, players who enjoy playing have an opportunity to get together and play more challenging pieces. Being involved in my church is very important to me and dear to my heart, however the most important thing to me is making sure that everything I am doing is for God and that I'm not letting myself be more interested in what I'm doing than who I'm doing it for.

Cadets

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is one of the greatest programs I ever became a part of. It had truly sculpted the person I am today and I cant imagine my life without it! I am an instructor teaching younger cadets, I have participated in multiple cadets caring for Canada events, fundraisers, recycling drives, and community parades. Right now I am the Band Major, with that I instruct cadets in band on how to read and play music. I am a public speaker for my squadron, I have won numerous competitions and even won the provincial competition and traveled to Saskatchewan for the national competition. For the past 4 summers I have attended Cadet Summer Training Centers in Nova Scotia, the first one was just general training and then the next 3 summers were 6 week band camps, I have gained leadership skills, confidence and good musical ability through my summer training. When I joined cadets I was twelve and an AC (no rank) now I am a Flight Sergeant (6 ranks later) and hopefully soon to be a warrant officer.  I started my Duke of Edinburgh through cadets too and I have completed my bronze, silver and gold already. This program offers something for everybody and molds character and teaches leadership and that is part of the reason I am into it!

Community

This category takes in basically miscellaneous of my involvement. within my community I am involved in Fresh Start Theater, this year we are currently working on the play Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, last year we did "Suessical." the group consists of a very large number of people from around 5-old haha. We have a lot of fun together and also participate in workshops. I am a member of the Celtic Spirit Dancers, I take dance classes and am a member of the performance group, which is more of a family than a group. We did a musical last year called "I Want to Break Free," it was amazing and so much fun. This year our musical is called "Piano Man" its an amazing play on February 2-4(tickets on sale now, but I'm not advertising haha). We do lots of performances all over the community, and last year for International Dance Day we did random acts of dance. This year our group is going to Ireland, the trip is going to one of a lifetime and we are going to participate in workshops and watch the World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast! I have collected for many groups such as Children's Wish Foundation and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Just recently I was a medal bearer for the Rick Hansen Relay. I am a member of FINALY, however not a very active member (yet!). I take Piano and voice lessons and have participated in the Kiwanis Music Festival for years. 

What I'm Into

It may sound like I'm involved in a lot and I'm not going to say I'm not, if I sat down and thought about it I could probably think of more that I do that I didn't mention, but it's not a bad thing. Many of the teenagers who are giving the rest of us a bad name are the ones who aren't doing anything and have the time to do and think of stupid things to get them in trouble. Being involved has not changed for me, if anything over the years I have gotten more involved. Volunteering and being involved are an important part of me that will stick with me forever. Many people think that being this involved i must not be like other teenagers, but I think I am. I work at the Gordon Pinsent Center for the Arts as an Usher, I have a paper route that drives me sometimes. I'm into the same kind of music, I like my tswift, Relient k and I get the very occasional beiber fever, I read the hunger games and enjoyed it and I am an avid potter fan. I have an addiction to dance moms that is probably not healthy since its not a very sane show. I like sleeping in, warm rainy days and thoroughly believe procrastination is key when it comes to school (though my mom doesn't really share that belief). I'm into a lot, but that's ok, if I wasn't I wouldn't be the crazy, nerdy loving person that I know I am! :D

TED video :)

Youth Delegates turn their backs to Canada, while Canada officially removes itself from the Kyoto Accord at the Climate Conference in Durban, South Africa.

Hey there!! At LDW they showed us a TED video, it was the first one I had ever seen, it was also the like craziest thing I'd ever seen. It was about how school kills creativity, I was pretty much mind blown haha. Earlier this month, with good intentions of writing my blog on time, I had chosen an amazing video by a girl who was 20 years old and is spreading the word through her personal story about being young and having an impact, however after my procrastination, someone already chose that video :p and I understand why its awesome. (Go watch it:http://www.ted.com/talks/natalie_warne_being_young_and_making_an_impact.html) After looking at other videos though I found more, equally awesome video, including the one I am going to share now!

http://www.ted.com/talks/dianna_cohen_tough_truths_about_plastic_pollution.html,  I chose this video because of the message it sends. The lady in this video talks mostly about plastic, because plastic is something most of us use 100 times a day without thinking about it. Plastic unlike glass can never return to what it was originally (ex a plastic bottle can never be a plastic bottle again). Plastic is polluting our oceans, the pictures in this videos show many beaches COVERED in plastic, the picture that completely stood out to me showed a bird that had died and inside of him he was full of plastic. I realize that we have to use plastic, I use it a lot, this video just says to reduce, reuse and recycle and also to refuse when possible. That means not buying plastice bottles and using glass ones, or aluminum and don't buy bottled water, because you can reuse one bottle over and over, AND honestly most bottled water has been tested to be more dirty than the city of Boston (who wants to drink that?). When are we going to learn that we only going to get one planet? When are we going to take responsibility for our own actions? Recently I have been pretty upset with the country we live in, I love Canada deeply, however the message they just portrayed by backing out of the Kyoto Accord is completely awful. An article I recently read talking about Canada's Decision it said "But if we officially withdraw from Kyoto before the end of 2012, we wont be judged under the agreement and we wont be liable for any penalties" and "Since the Harper government has considered Kyoto to be a bad deal from the beginning, the decision to pull out as it comes to an end makes perfect sense." These statements drive me completely nuts, if you look at it, EVERYTHING we have been taught about keeping our word has gone out the window. AND even more than the fact that it is wrong to go back on your word, what message is this sending about how our country cares? We do so much for other countries and trying to make this world a friendly place to live, but what is that going to matter when there is no planet to live on? Its time Canada took responsibility for their actions, maybe penalties and fines would have been a wake  up call. Although we are not legally binded to a treaty, I seriously hope more is put into place in the IMMEDIATE future for Canada to cut back on their pollution. So remember to reduce, reuse, recycle and when you can refuse! Please do your part to help the planet, because is is time to put People before Polluters!

All about me!

         Hey there, My name is Sabrina Andrews! Involvement has always been a large part of my life, I cannot remember a time in my life when I wasn't doing something. I completely credit my character, passion and leadership skills to being involved. I learnt to appreciate my community  at a young age, before I could walk my parents would bring me out to activities with my brothers and I loved to follow their footsteps...that is until I could make my own path. As a child I attended church activities such as praise kids, Sunday school and band. I was also involved in the Bel Canto choir and in the girl guide program, in sparks and brownies. Every summer as a child I attended The Twin Ponds Salvation Army Music Camp, growing up this place felt like home and it was where I learnt to be myself. However, my leadership really began in 2007 when I joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. It is a great feeling to have someone to look up to, but the best feeling in the whole world is to know that someone is looking up to you.
         At 16, in my cadet squadron I am Band Major, Flight Sergant, on the public speaking team, first aid and Duke of Edinburgh, at church  I am a member of senior band, junior band, 4real, teen cell, and divisional youth band , I instruct the preschool Sunday school class, I also take piano and voice lessons, I have a paper route, I work at the Arts and Culture Center as an Usher, I am a member of the Celtic Spirit Dancers performance group and I attend a regular dance class, Children's Wish Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation and I attend youth group. At school, I am on leadership/ student council, Social action and Social action executive, drama club, tutoring for tuition, relay for life, public speaking team,and  band and choir. Sometimes when people hear my schedule they can't understand how i can do so much, still keep high grades, keep everything straight and enjoy it. I don't see it the same way they do, if I'm not doing something it doesn't feel right, and I truly believe that if you're doing something you love it doesn't feel like a chore or something you have to do, because its something you want to do. As for school work, I work better with a schedule, I know exactly know how much time i have to do something and that pushes me to do it, if i had more time i would procrastinate. I consider myself to be a well rounded person and that is the kind of person I want to be.
         Joining the cadet program was one of the greatest decisions I ever made. I joined as soon as I turned 12 and immediately got involved in the squadrons diverse activities. Through cadets I competed in my first ever speak off, from the very moment I stepped behind the podium I fell in love. Public speaking became my passion, and in June of 2010 I competed and represented the province in the national effective speaking competition in Regina, Saskatchewan. When I turned 14 I started the Duke of Edinburgh award. Originally there was four of us working towards the bronze level, but I was the only one from that group to complete it. I caught myself up to the silver group and now I am finished my gold award and waiting to meet the age requirement to receive it. This international award recognizes my achievements, promotes involvement and a healthy lifestyle. In my eyes it is one of the most prestigious awards a person can have. Last year at the Annual Ceremonial Review I was awarded the Legion Medal of Excellence for my citizenship and my involvement, not only in the cadet program but in the community. The cadet program offers camps in the summer, the lengths range from 2-6 weeks and 7 weeks for staff. The first camp I ever attended was general training but for the last 3 years I have attended a 6 week band camp. Through these camps I have achieved my advanced musician levels and made friendships, with people all over the country, that will last forever. I take great pride in being able to say I am a leader in my cadet squadron. 
         Last year, I was named Youth of the Year for my community, this was a great honour for me, not only did I see myself as a leader others did as well. After being named I was a participant in the 2010 and 2011 Miss Teen Achievement Newfoundland Labrador Pageant. In 2010 I won the Community Pride award and this year I made top 10 overall and top 5 in Community Pride, I was also given the honour to spend a weekend with some of the provinces most amazing young ladies, who like me are passionate about what they do. I was also nominated by my town for a UROCK volunteer award. It is a great feeling to know that your community supports you and that your province recognizes you as a youth who is a role model and who posses strong leadership qualities. In grade 9 I was awarded a Horizon leadership Scholarship and became a Horizons student. This was an awesome opportunity for me because I was permitted to attend a leadership development weekend with the other students who had been recognized leaders as well, this was a great weekend and also an amazing learning experience. 
         In the future, I'm not 100% sure what I want to do yet, but I have ideas. I would like to become a music teacher, or enter the Canadian Forces. Those may seem like they are on two completely different sides of the spectrum, and I suppose in a way they are. However, both contain things I am very passionate about. I love music, with all my heart and I love children and when I am in front of a class and I can feel like I am making a difference or that people are learning and interested in what I am saying, there are no words to describe how I feel, it's as if I'm home. The Canadian Forces has been, in my heart and in the back of my mind since I was 11 or 12. I would love to be a peace keeper, posted somewhere across the world. Places like Afghanistan have been devastated, and the Canadian troops have done an amazing job in rebuilding and aiding this country. I feel more than honoured everyday that I am from a country that people are willing to sacrifice themselves for strangers. They are making a huge difference in the world and I would love to be able to do my part. Whatever I end up doing in the future, I am positive I will do something I am passionate about and be where I know I can have the stongest impact! Recently I watched a movie, I don't remember what the movie was or even what it was about, but a quote from the movie stood out in my head and now it's become something I live by, "Truth is the world is going to tell you who you are...until you tell the world!"