Swathi Khrishnamoorthy, Class 4/7

The doorbell rings signalling that the two hundred dollar shoes you ordered for the sole reason of your favourite singer sporting it that one time, has finally arrived. Your eyes still glued to the viral youtube video made by the influencer your friends have been raving about, you snatch the package from the courier. “Have you studied for the upcoming tests?” your mother yells from across the living room. “One more video!” you blatantly lie as you continue to stare fixedly at your phone. This is a common scenario among youths all over the world. Young people today indulge in the lives of others, often forgetting about their own. A shared mindset among them being a world without their adored celebrities impossible.

Although, in some instances, exalting their idols might have fruitful results. Youths, if they choose which celebrities to be their role models discerningly, can even improve on certain aspects of themselves. Avid environmentalist Gretha Thurnberg has touched the hearts of several teenagers and inspired them to be more environmentally conscious. She has aided them to overcome the hindrance that is their age barrier by allowing them to gain more courage to fight for the things that they believe in. Young people looking up to Gretha Thunberg will have their lives efficaciously changed for the better with her positive influence on them.

However, celebrities like Gretha Thunberg are far and few between. Multifarious stars corrupt and spoilt with fame have garnered atrocious attitudes. Their exact behaviours are then reflected by their impressionable young fans. Kylie Jenner, famed reality television star caused mass jealousy among her supporters after attaining lip injections. A multitude of girls took drastic measures to recreate her pouty, luscious lips by using shot glasses. Their acts of idiocy ended up in a copious amount of girls having to visit the emergency room with glass shards jabbed in their lips. Minors are very suggestible at their tender age and with inapt role models to look up to, will not make it far in life.

The disconcerting obsession teens have with fame is also cause for concern. Many youths will readily do anything possible to meet their adored idols. This is the case for many when they go to the extent of skipping school to attend a concert or stealing their parent’s credit card to procure their favoured youtuber’s merchandise. These alarming habits that they have adopted are only going to lead to their ruin in the future. Some celebrities worsen these practices by egging on teenagers to continue. Their appalling advice is supported by false claims of how they will love their fans more if they do so.

Most young people today have a perturbing addiction of fame and imitating celebrities which most times lead to abysmal consequences. It is up to them to go on the daunting mission of trying to steer clear of the monsters known as celebrities. The monster of which many have already succumbed to.

Ye Wint Phone San, 4/7

Popularity – a constant struggle for teens and young adults to achieve. Everyone wants it but not everyone knows how to get it. Those who are lost on how to be popular often emulate those who have already made it big, the celebrities. In this day and age, youths are desperate and yearn for attention. They mimic what their idols do in order to gain that little ounce of fame and glory. However, just because someone is famous does not mean he or she is someone to be followed.

There are teens who dream of a life as a youtuber, live-streamer or social media influencers. To them, these unorthodox jobs look easy and have incredible benefits. They believe that they can just film themselves playing video games or post a selfie of themselves and become overnight celebrities. In their blind chase for fame, they do not acknowledge the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to be successful in this sector. Marketing yourself, finding sponsors and having to stay relevant are often not the first things that come to someone’s mind when starting this career. Another issue that is often hidden is the mental damage that working in this environment could cause. Mental resilience is crucial when working on the internet where toxicity is rampant. Teens end up chasing an unrealistic dream, only to have them shattered due to their inexperience and lack of knowledge.

Then, there are those who realise their personality does not fit the camera. Their solution? Fabricating an entirely different online persona to cater to their audience. These teens put up an act whenever they are online just for a shot at fame. Some even imitate the style of already famous celebrities to try and satisfy their fans. They end up losing their sense of identity, questioning which version of them is the authentic one. They start feeling empty and soulless but still put up a front for the camera. However, as soon as the camera turns off and their faux identity is gone, they no longer feel alive. To make matters worse, there are toxic celebrities whom youngsters imitate. Drinking and doing drugs are a “personality trait” to them and their fans follow suit. Those who imitate these toxic celebrities end up adopting dangerous habits such as the above mentioned drinking and doing drugs.

However, not all celebrities are bad. In fact, many are shining role models of people to follow. Actors Terry Crews and Keanu Reeves are examples of how even with a traumatic past, one can break free from it and be successful. Tech giant Bill Gates is the perfect example of humility and morality. Despite being one of the richest and most famous in the world, he still stays down to earth, donating around forty percent of his salary to health research and charities yearly. Imitating the right people can be very beneficial to not the imitator but also the people around him or her.

This shows that fame and imitation are not always bad. It just requires preparation, being true to yourself and a good role model to follow. The negative aspects only manifest and hurt those who are ignorant and unprepared. Ego also comes with fame and as Bill Gates has shown, it is important to stay humble.

Maka Mohan Krishna
Class: 42

Everyone has family tradition and they are a great way to spend time and bond with my family. They also help de-stress and are a great way to remember my roots and my identity. Some of my family traditions include visiting India every year, always celebrating Diwali and going out on special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Some of these traditions was started even before I was born, but we still do them to this day. As the saying goes “old is gold”. Family traditions are essential thing to have for any family.

The first family tradition, that I tried to do every year only started relatively recently when I was in primary five from then on, every year without fail my family and I would go to India during my school holidays. While we were in India we would travel to a few states to meet and stay with as many relatives as possible. We would also go to the landmarks of many cities that we would visit, I temples restaurants hotels. This family tradition is really important as it allows me to call the vet bonds with my extended family who my real is he as they live in a whole different country. This annual trip is also a great way to experience nature and the country’s delicious food. There are many farms in India all of which are enchanting side during sunset the sunrises as the orange glow of the sun engulf the sky while looming over vast farmlands and beautiful crops and trees. That is always a treat to see. The food there is also amazing there is so much to eat from Street vendors to high-end restaurants. The flavors range from hot and spicy to sweet and sour. There is so much to taste. All in all, this is a family tradition that I will try my hardest to keep alive.

The second family tradition that happens multiple times a year is celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions these traditions have been around for many generations. This started decades ago. However, it is still being done to this very moment. This is also a universal tradition celebrated and practice by everyone, everywhere in the world. For my family we will usually go out to dinner or go to the movies. Even though it sounds simple, spending this time as a family is invaluable to us as our chaotic schedules usually do not allow for much bonding. Even though we do this multiple times a year, it never gets boring and every time you do it we will usually go out to a different place to eat or watch a new movie. But sometimes if I’m fortunate we will go to amusement parks those are my favorites. Going to amusement parks is really thrilling as there is so much to do. My dad and I would usually go on the roller coasters together as my mom is too afraid of them. Nevertheless, we usually go do the less adrenaline inducing rides together as a family. Feeling the wind in my face as we go down a hill at 100 kilometers per hour is just really thrilling and gets my mind off everyday worries what’s up celebrating special occasions is a tradition that I will definitely one hundred percent continue.

Define a family tradition comes around once a year and it is the main festival for Hindus, deepavali.my family night continue this tradition every year as it is a celebration in festival that has been passed down from generations and it’s a staple in my religious identity. my family usually celebrate this joyous occasion with close family, friends and some of my relatives during the celebration, we would always light up from sparklers and play with them. This is always exciting as there is so much different variants of sparklers from ones that make a high-pitched noise to some with colored smoke. After we have played with the spotless we head home to have a delicious meal, which includes some traditional sweets do some spicy curries is always a blast to have that meal. I really value distribution as it allows me to spend time with my family, friends whom I see rarely, as we do not live together. It also allows me to remember my route and preserve my culture. I will continue this tradition to preserve my fleeting culture.

All in all family traditions are an essential part of life the everyone needs. We all need to spend time with our immediate and extended family. We also need to remember our roots and our culture as nowadays the current generations are forgetting I called you do to the Western culture dominant in the internet. I love and cherish all my family traditions I will strive to do my best to continue these family traditions

Trinayani D/O Kandesan
Class: 43B

One festival that I always celebrate every year without fail is Deepavali. It’s the festival of lights, to commemorate the death of the demon king, Narakasura. He was slain by the incarnation of god Vishnu. Therefore the festival symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Spending time with family members by bonding, de-stressing by not having to attend school and having a sense of identity with the outfits i wear during Deepavali shows how important it is for my family and I. When communities celebrate festivals together, it reminds each other of the lasting bond that we carry; and may carry on to future generations. 

Personally, Deepavali has always been my favourite way to spend time with my family; the perfect opportunity to bond with them. Laughing hysterically at something ridiculous at the dinner table, eating whatever our hearts desire like fragrant chicken curry with fluffy white rice. I’ve never really been a family-orientated person but Deepavali is something that gets my heart pumping. Familial connections can only get stronger when meeting up with your family physically. So this is one of the reasons why I like to bond with my family members. 

Another reason why Deepavali is important is because of the fact that I can relax and de-stress without thinking about my main responsibility, my role as a student. Staying home with my family alleviates the pressure and stress from the burden that is school. During Deepavali, I am able to engage in fun and meaningful activities such as playing with sparklers, applying henna or even indulging in scrumptious food. The relief my body feels when staying at home is an impeccable feeling; one of the best an individual can have. I love it when I get the opportunity to do the things that I love. It is a perfect chance to be at peace. Therefore I believe that Deepavali is a way to de-stress.

Celebrating Deepavali reminds me of my identity and the culture into which I have been born. My culture is an important part of my personality. Wearing traditional costumes creates a sense of belonging; a tribute to my culture and heritage. Indian food makes up about ninety percent of my diet. Getting stripped of these experiences would lead to the disintegration of my sense of self. If I were not as cultural as I am and were more like an anglophile instead, I would be taking on an identity that is not my own. Having come across anglophiles in Singapore on many occasions; Asian teenagers who have swapped out the norms of their culture in favour of broad western ideas and interest, I think I would be far more bland than I am now. Being Indian is what makes me unique. I take great pleasure in being able to proudly say that I am Indian and that I do not pretend to be like people of other cultures. Hence, I would not be who I am today without my Indian identity.

In conclusion, Deepavali is a perfect opportunity to bond, de-stress and have an identity. This is why I would look forward to celebrating Deepavali.

Abdul Hakiim
Class: 41 SBB

                                Hari Raya is a very special festival that is celebrated by all Muslims. It is indeed a blessing in my life that I get to celebrate Hari Raya with my family. Hari Raya is a time where we get to bond together as a family, eat together and visit our relatives. To me, it is a tradition that is carried out every year by my family and I. 

                Hari Raya is a festival that happens every year and is celebrated by all Muslims. It is an opportunity for me to bond with my family. Even before Hari Raya itself, we would form tight bonds as a family because our whole family would be cleaning the house together. During cleaning, we would play our favourite Malay traditional songs. My parents would always dance to the music and my siblings and I would be fascinated by how well my parents could dance to the rhythm and beat. There would always be laughter as my family would crack some funny jokes while spring cleaning the house. Hari Raya is indeed a festival where I will get to bond and spend time together as a family and hence is important to my family and I. 

                 It is also a time for my mother cook to delicious and exquisite food during Hari Raya. My family loves to eat my mother’s home cooked foods such as the Rendang, which is a spicy meat that is slow cooked and braised in coconut, and the Ayam Lemak, which a chicken simmering in a pot with curry and herbs. What makes my mother’s home cooked meal special has to be its aroma. The foods she cooks will always, without fail, smell so fragrant and out of the world. My family would sit down and compliment the dishes as we eat together. It is a very fun and enjoyable tradition that my family practise every year during Hari Raya, making it all the more meaningful for everyone. 

               Lastly, during Hari Raya, my family and I would visit our long distance relatives that we did not met during last year’s Hari Raya. My family and I enjoy visiting our relatives as we do not visit them often. I would always be the first one to knock on their door, too eager to celebrate and enjoy the festivities together. My family and I would always update them about how we are doing as family. My siblings and I would always share about what had happened during our life. For example, when we I experienced my first friendship problem and how I overcome it with the help of my family. I enjoy doing this as we get to share our stories. This is my family’s tradition every year. 

             In conclusion, I cherish the time together as we carry out our traditions every year. My mother’s home cooked food, relatives and bonding are just a few traditions I look forward every year. 

Salma Nisa

Class: 3/4

“Anyone who considers themselves a realist will have to make the environment a top priority. The truth is our planet’s alarm is now going off, and it’s time to finally wake up and take action,” said Leonardo DiCaprio as he ended his speech as Earth Day’s Chairman in 2000. As ice caps melt at an alarming rate and spread of wildfires engulf forests, there has been a great increase of celebrities advocating environmental causes and showing their love for the world. However, American actor Leonardo DiCaprio is most definitely an honourable mention for celebrities who champion environmental change.

It is true that our planet’s alarm had gone off and many people are ignoring it. The lack of awareness of what is going on around us is causing great harm to our earth. Many animals are on the verge of extinction. More than half the Koala’s population has been wiped out by the forest fires in Australia and animals like tigers, elephants and whales continue to be poached or killed for recreational purposes. Not only are animals at risk, a lot of countries are facing extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods and other natural disasters. Everyday people are displaced, homeless and separated from their loved ones. Thousands of lives were lost and grieved as a consequence of our neglect and ignorance. This neglect is what pushed DiCaprio to spread awareness and utilise his popularity and wealth to make a difference.

DiCaprio founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and donated 20 million dollars for environmental protection. The money is used to protect biodiversity, safeguarding indigenous people and combating climate change. He has met with former US President Barack Obama to discuss about climate change and met current US President Donald Trump to convince him that climate change is real. Furthermore, he produced the environmental documentary, “The 11th Hour” to feature the critical and urgent problem of climate change. DiCaprio is part of the board of directors of many environment organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund and was named the United Nation’s Messenger of Peace for Climate Change. This just further proves how much of an environmental advocate DiCaprio is.

Leonardo DiCaprio is an inspiration for other celebrities to follow. He is not only a talented and popular actor but is an icon who uses his wealth and popularity to save the earth. As the days continue to pass by, I hope that his efforts will pay off and more people will be more concerned about the environment.

Depression is a problem faced by a significant number of the population. It can be defined as a feeling of severe despondency and dejection. According to statistics, teenagers are the common age group that faces this problem due to hormonal changes. Depression is a matter that should be taken seriously because many have been deeply affected by it.

An example of a person who has faced depression is Adele. Depression started to affect her life at the young age of ten. Her grandfather who she loved so dearly had passed away. Although she had seen a therapist to help her, her depression worsened as she aged and unfortunately, she suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of her son. Postpartum depression is the depression suffered by a mother following childbirth which is usually caused by the combination of hormonal changes, psychological adjustment to motherhood and fatigue. About 80% of mothers experience this and tend to avoid interaction with their children. However, Adele chose to stay close with her son and this affected her mentally.

There are many signs to indicate if a person is suffering from depression. Some examples of these signs would be the inability to stop feeling sad or hopeless, changes in appetite or energy levels and even shutting others out. It is really important to take note of these signs so as to help prevent further damage on the person, be it mentally or physically. If it is not intervened early, the person may engage in self-harm or even suicide. In order to save a person suffering from this problem, it is important to notice any changes and signs shown so that the necessary intervention can be introduced. For example, we need to identify the cause of the person’s troubles and they need to open up and share their feelings with someone who they are comfortable with. This helps because it releases the negativity and frustrations that is being kept inside. Furthermore, having another person’s view on the situation can really help open up a new perspective on the problem.

In Adele’s case, she was initially hesitant to talk to anyone about her situation due to the fear of being judged by the media and her fans. However, once she started opening up to fellow mothers, she felt like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. She realised that there are other people out there who are also facing the same problem as her. Through proper diagnosis and intervention, she was able to overcome her problems with lots of support and encouragement from others who were like her.

Another way to overcome depression is to exercise. Exercising helps to relieve one’s mind from stress and helps a person to relax. Not only that, it helps to distract us from all the problems we are facing and get rid of the negative emotions that have been built up. Doing it with a friend would be better because we will be able to have the encouragement and support of someone who is close to us.  Lastly, depression can be overcome by expressing yourself through creative ways such as music and art. When a person paints and draws their emotions out, it helps to them express how they feel in a way that is most comfortable for them. It helps them to relax and calms their mind when they are engaged in such activities. Thus it is important that a person understands and learns the methods to cope with depression so that their problems can be solved. 

Qistina Humaira

Class: 3/4

FIORINA TIBERN Class: 1/7

As a teenager, I suffer a lot of stress daily. Singapore is a stressful country to live in as it places a lot of importance on education which I find a chore. Under these circumstances, I have found several ways to manage my stress and keep it at healthy levels.

  Firstly, I like to decrease my stress from the source in the first place. In this case, I often get stressed over having to study so much. As such, I decided that I should make the act of studying more fun for me. I personalise my notes by highlighting them and writing little encouraging phrases on them to keep me going. Organising my notes into a mindmap helps me to be less overwhelmed by all the information hence I panic less. Instead of cramming last-minute studying or overworking myself, I keep a timetable that lets me study for a while every day to keep me prepared. This technique helps me keep away the stress of studying, and the stress of being worried for my examinations.

  Secondly, I like to listen to music. I enjoy most types of music, but what I jam to usually depends on my mood. When I feel stressed, listening to a comforting ballad usually helps to calm me down. Music helps me relax, and provides an outlet for my emotions. When I’m frustrated, playing heavy metal songs helps me to let out my anger and blow off some steam. When I’m studying, playing music also helps me to focus better. All in all, music improves my mood and is my go-to method when I’m stressed about anything at all. 

  Sometimes I like to exercise outside and enjoy the scenery. I usually take jogs around my neighbourhood or at a nearby park. This helps me to clear my head and rationalise my thoughts rather than get too caught up in my stress. Admiring greenery lets me take a breath of fresh air and just cool down. Nature is enjoyable to observe, even though I am usually too buy to appreciate it. Not to mention, I usually get antsy when stressed and this gets rid of it. Reflecting while exercising has saved me from a lot of bad decisions that I was about to make in the heat of the moment. 

  There is also a method that stands out from the others that I utilise because it involves other people. I use it when a problem is way too much for me to handle alone and when I wish for some company. My method is venting to close people and sharing my troubles with them. When a situation feels really stressful and I’m about to break down, it really helps to have someone to catch me and soothe me, telling me it’ll be alright. It reminds me that my problem is not the end of the world and that there are good things in my life. Sometimes when I vent, the person I’m sharing my problem to can provide valuable insight or new outlook I never thought of. The person can reign in my overreacting mind and keep me on track. It spares me the effort of having to bottle my stress up and dealing with it alone. The person can call me out if I’m overreacting, or show me different viewpoints to understand the situation better. Knowing that someone is giving me their time of day because I’m just that important to them is in itself comforting. Having someone empathising and providing a listening ear just makes me feel better. 

  I enjoy writing, and reading fanfiction, or just whatever comes to my head. It’s a form of escapism from this world and its troubles – getting lost in another world. It immerses me in a thrilling fantasy that life cannot satisfy, and calls to me from the depths of my sorrows. Most of all, it’s a form of expression. I can write and be inspired by my sorrows and use it to bring inspiration to someone else. Taking my sorrows and creating art with it feels incredibly fulfilling. It reaches out and connects me with characters, others, that could possibly feel the same. It could help others understand these sorrows as well. Everyone has something that they enjoy doing, not necessarily writing, that they should keep doing. This joy of doing something you love is a constant, an anchor in the storm which will definitely lift you during moments of stress.   

Stress is an undeniable part of living in a cosmopolitan city like Singapore. However, even teenagers like me can relieve stress by engaging in such meaningful activities.