SPENCER VOICES

from Spencer Magazine, Volume 2, Number 2

SUMMER SPIRITS: SHAKEN OR STIRRED

Voices

Everyone has a voice, right? But how many people have an applebox to stand on so they can speak to the world?! From celebrities to philanthropists... Spencer is that applebox! Do you know someone with a special voice? Let us know at voices@spencermag.com

HANNAH ALPER

Hey Spencer readers!

I am here as an 18-year-old activist, blogger, motivational speaker, author, to tell you that you have a voice and have the power, capacity, and responsibility to change the world. I am passionate about many local and global issues from education to clean water, from homelessness to women's rights, from mental health to anti-bullying and many more. But perhaps the issue I'm most passionate about is activism itself - motivating people to see that they can be activists in their own life, home, school, office, and world. From the age of nine, I have been sharing what I have learned and taken action on in hopes of inspiring others so that people say "if she can do it, I can do it too."

I have this formula - that even for those among us (myself included) that are not so great at math – can understand and use.

Issue + Gift = Change

First, you find your issue. That's when you ask yourself, "what do you love? What do you deeply care about? What do you want to tell the world?" It's your spark, your passion. Then, you find your gift. We need to find something that we're good at and use that to make a difference - it can be math, science, writing, communication, and even your time and compassion.

Especially in these weird times, we need changemakers now more than ever. Scratch that, we need helpers - people that are willing to find their community and come together for a better world. That reminds me of one of my favourite quotes by Mr. Rogers:

Voices

BRITTANY KRYSTANTOS

Everything we know about "I Am Not Your Average Teen” author Brittany Krystantos- from her journey of battling with mental health, and depression in her teens, to turning her pain into her strength to give back, inspire and shed some light onto our youth struggling with mental illness.

“Life is about the journey, not the destination” is a powerful statement that Brittany lives by. At 23 years of age, Brittany followed a journey of self-discovery after battling with mental health in her teens, which led to writing her bestselling book and using her platform to help the younger generation.

From being muted for seven years, to now changing the world one teenager at a time, Brittany has been committed to helping young people through the program she teaches in high schools, based on the principles found in her book. Not many of us know what it’s like to live with Selective Mutism, let alone what it is: when a child, fully capable of speaking, chooses not to. Can you imagine the thoughts going through the peers, teachers, family, and friends (if there are any) of such a child, and the treatment that she/he is subsequently subjugated to?

Brittany not only survived the first seven years of her life in the silence of

Selective Mutism, but thrived through it! She has converted that experience to her purpose in life. Sharing about her triumph over the past, made her an author at the age of 15, and now a youth advocate at 23. She has had many life-changing encounters from an early age, which have had a major influence on her teachings and way of living. Brittany teaches primarily from her own experience and years of studying methods to help with her mental health, teaching a practical application of a program called “Beneath And Beyond” in which she emphasizes self-love, mental health, teaching kids to cultivate positive thoughts and helping find solutions to their struggles with a holistic approach to spirituality and self-care.

Some tips and lessons that Brittany has learnt from being not your average teen and young adult: 1) You can never lose, you always win 2) If you can survive the covid-19 pandemic, you can survive anything! 3) Be yourself, don’t try to be like others, watching people's lives on social media and wanting to be like them isn’t going to make you better, it will just fill you will jealousy and unhappiness 4) Take time for yourself 5) Save save save your money 6) What you think, will come back to you, if you think positive then positivity will find you. 7) Enjoy life to the fullest, even if it means you’re stuck at home, you can still bring fun into your home by being joyful and finding things to do that makes you smile, and fill you with joy! 8) True love finds you, don’t go seeking it! 9) Any idea or dream you have, go after it and take the right steps to making it come true; entrepreneurship is about being brave, and the other half is taking the right steps to making your dream successful!!

Brittany is a young voice changing the world one teenager at a time, and if you can learn anything from her, you should learn to not give up on life!

As far back as I can remember, I have always been the happiest performing for my family and friends. As I grew older, my love for the stage has pulled me even closer and towards a career in the performing arts - dancer, singer, songwriter, and actor.

Throughout the years, I was often told that dancing was not for boys. I found myself repeatedly rejected, criticized, or worse, laughed at when I would tell others my vision and dreams of becoming a singer and actor. It was disheartening to have people around me try to discourage me, yet I learned to follow my heart. I quickly realized that people's discouragements may have everything to do with them and nothing to do with myself!

I'm blessed to be raised by parents who always encourage me to do what I love. My parents believed in me and helped me to believe in myself. My commitment, dedication and hard work continue to be fuelled by what I love most. I want to inspire others to be their authentic selves simply by being themselves and never to let anyone diminish their light. I always say, "Hold on to that light because, in the end, you're the one who controls how bright you shine!"

Vasili's confidence is captivating. He is a fun-loving artist on-the-rise who is poised to make a major impact in the entertainment industry. He is currently a member of Canada's #1 music brand the Mini Pop Kids (MPK), representing the brand in commercials, music videos, album recordings, live touring shows/press appearances, Walmart materials, and so much more! In his free time, Vasili can be found in a dance studio studying with top dance professionals or in a music studio writing and recording original music to be released on all streaming platforms. You will also be able to see Vasili on television as a supporting lead in an NBCU family musical comedy series in the near future.

CAMDEN

Hey Spencer Magazine Readers!

My name is Camden. I am a 13-year-old musician from Ontario, Canada and

I was a Mini Pop Kid for 2020/2021 MPK 18 and now I'm an alumni. Our goal as Mini Pop Kids is to provide people of all ages with family-friendly versions of today's top pop hits.

I have loved music and theatre since I could walk and talk and have always been enthusiastic about things I am truly passionate about! Whether it’s singing, dancing, acting, or writing, I have always strived to achieve my goals! As I’ve always been taught, do what makes you happy, and the rest will fall into place. I find happiness in performing and writing, and that’s where I have been my whole life.

One of my favourite quotes states, “Your dream doesn’t have an expiration date.” - Mel Robbins. I wish to continue pursuing my dreams into high school next year, as I love school, especially English class and all of the extracurriculars.

The point of all of this? Dreams are limitless. Go and fulfill many!

I am currently working on writing and making my own original music. I am excited for what the future holds and hope that you may be singing along to my original song on the radio in the very near future!