MARION KANG
Claiming Ownership through Community and Creation Dance is perceived as a creative outlet, a form of expression, and for many, a fun hobby. We look at dancers who are established in their craft and feel inspiredto move as they do - at least, that’s why I was first drawn to it. Dance was a way to be confident in myself and feel capable, especially as someone who grew up in a household that only anticipated high academic and career expectations. One of these expectations included pursuing further education at the University of Toronto, which meant I would move
Devika Johnson
Which Moment Changed Your Life? When I reflect on the question, “Which moment changed your life?” I realize it’s not just one moment but a series of defining moments that have shaped my journey. Each one has altered the course of my life, setting me on a path I couldn’t have predicted. However, the most recent moments that truly changed the trajectory of my future happened within these past two years. It started with a year full of doctor’s appointments, tests, and uncertainty. I had been struggling with an unknown illness, a sense that something wasn’t quite
MARYAAM
Meet ShawtyAstrology Maryaam, better known as ShawtyAstrology, is a Toronto-based celebrity astrologer captivating the stars—and her audience. With a deep love for astrology and a magnetic presence, she’s become a household name on social media, amassing over 500,000 followers across Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. Known for her insightful readings, creative takes on celestial trends, and relatable content, Maryaam has turned astrology into an art form that resonates with fans worldwide. Whether decoding cosmic alignments or inspiring self-discovery,ShawtyAstrology is redefining the way we connect with the universe. Maryaam writes, “Being an astrologer is a huge privilege that I don’t
GJ VERELLEN
A Pivotal moment that changed and shaped my life Back in high school I had always wondered what I wanted to do in university and what field of study I wanted to get into. I was not interested in sciences, math, or languages, not that I was not up to par for it, I just didn’t feel drawn to it. Instead I was interested in arts, visual media, and communication. For our senior trip, I had purchased my first DSLR, a beginner Nikon camera, and immediately fell in love with photography and capturing the world around me. Photography
DESIRÈE JOY
Dancing Through Life: The Rhythm That Defines Me For as long as I can remember, dance has been at the center of my life. Growing up in Lloydminster—a small city on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan—my mom enrolled me in dance classes at a young age. From those early beginnings to studying dance in college in Toronto and now pursuing it professionally, it has always been a constant. Interestingly, I think I only truly fell in love with dance when I moved to Toronto in 2020. What I love most about dance is its power to move
JACOB PASCO
Stitching Creativity and Purpose into a Meaningful Future My connection to fashion began with a friend I met in the later years of high school. He had a way of standing out, not just with his bold outfits but with his confidence in each piece he wore. Through him, I came to understand that fashion is not just about fabric or trends; it’s a way to express the hidden corners of our personality,a creative outlet to showcase parts of ourselves that words often cannot. As a first-generation immigrant, I’ve always felt a responsibility to honour the sacrifices my
JOSHUA OBRA
What Changed Me? There are a few turning points in my life that would ultimately change it forever, and every single moment feels like the worst thing in the world at the time, but in hindsight, i started to understand how important it was to feel and maneuver through these moments that now benefit me today. One moment in particular was when I used to work in construction doing interlocking. For a few years I worked for a Caribbean restaurant called Sunrise. One customer would come in, order the same thing and leave us a $20 tip each
MARY ESTELLE HECHANOVA
What changed me? My name is Estelle, and Playground Cafe is a canvas painted with stories, art, and coffee.I often found myself in cozy coffee shops, finding inspiration in their ambiance and the quiet hum of creative energy. My sister just randomly said one day—what if you just open a cafe? Then I thought of my brother who is very involved in the art community. What if there was a place where art and coffee could merge,where people could gather and be inspired by both? That’s when the idea for "Playground Cafe " began to take shape. I
SUKHDEEP KALSI
What Changed Me? I lost someone really important to me a couple of years ago, and I think that was the biggest life-altering moment of my life. Their passing was sudden, and it forced me to confront the reality of how fragile life is. It made me realize that life is too short to not follow your dreams, to hold back on what truly matters. Up until then, I had been playing it safe, waiting for the “right” time to pursue my passion for sustainable fashion. But losing someone so close to me was a wake-up call.
