Features

Passion is a driving force that shapes people’s aspirations, guiding them toward fulfilling careers and meaningful pursuits. For most students, passion plays a crucial role in their goals for the future. Whether it’s teaching, entering a trade, or photography, each student has found inspiration and motivation to develop their interests despite challenges along the way. Aniya Wolfenberg, a sophomore at Achieve Point, has a deep love for reading and writing, and is passionate about teaching English. She credits her former teachers for inspiring her to pursue education.

“They made class engaging and actually made me want to be there,” Wolfenberg explains. “I would like to do the same for others.” To refine her skills, she spends much of her time reading books and writing stories; however, she admits that selfdoubt has been a challenge. “I don’t always feel confident that I could encourage and engage students the same way my teachers did,” she says. Despite this, she remains determined to become a teacher who helps students improve their reading and writing. Given the opportunity to dedicate all her time to this passion, she would focus on developing innovative teaching methods and honing her own skills. For Nicolas Smith, a junior at , the path to his passion is more hands-on. He is determined to enter a trade, inspired by both the financial benefits and the growing demand for skilled workers. “What inspired me to pursue it is the money you make. Most trades are short on workers,” Smith states. He actively learns about trade professions by speaking with coworkers and researching online; however, he faces uncertainty about when to begin—whether to start in 12th grade or wait until after graduation. His friend Kenny, who has experience in trade school, has been a major influence. “He teaches me things in his free time,” Smith says. Looking ahead, he envisions using his trade skills to build financial stability and eventually start his own business. If given the chance to fully commit, he would focus on mastering as many skills as possible to prepare for unexpected challenges in life. Akeelah Lordeus, a sophomore at Lely High School, discovered her passion for photography when she started using her mother’s old camera. “I had a lot of fun taking pic tures of things I found beautiful,” she recalls. She now spends her time capturing images of her com munity and learning editing techniques through online videos; however, one major challenge she faces is affording professional equipment. “I’m saving up money right now to afford a good camera,” Lordeus says. Social media photographers have had a significant impact on her journey, inspiring her with their stunning work. She dreams of becoming a professional photographer and, if given the opportunity, would travel the world to document breathtaking landscapes. Each of these students has a unique passion that fuels their ambition and shapes their future.

While their interests differ, their commitment to overcoming obstacles and pursuing their dreams remains the same. Whether through education, trade, or art, their dedication to their passions demonstrates the power of perseverance and self-discovery.

Have you ever wondered who was the creator or designer of fashion? I know I was curious as to who was the creator of one of the most popular creative things in the world, it’s one of the most fashionable things people ever talk about, one or more. Did you also know that designers started to have models to walk their designs back in the 1860s? Charles Fredrick Worth was an English fashion designer who founded the House of Worth, one the foremost fashion designer houses of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

A senior from , Youssauf Diallo says, " Fashion means to me is to express yourself through clothing, and fashion is a way people express themselves.” And when it comes to dressing up, Diallo feels happy, excited, and energetic. This is a great way of expressing yourself physically and emotionally through your clothing. Fashion is also a way to see yourself in a different way. According to television, television coverage began in the 1950s with small fashion . In the 1960s and 1970s, fashion segments on various entertainment shows became more frequent, and by the 1980s, dedicated fashion shows such as Fashion Television started to appear. Diallo also says, “Fashion is everyday life, clothing doesn’t have to meet society’s fashionable expectations to be considered nice.” Dressing up can also help other people get some ideas to help with their fashion, other people's fashion can help other people fashion.

It’s like trying new food and liking it; dressing up is like eating but without eating it, but wearing it. Another student from Western Hills High, James Nolasco says, “I think fashion is hap py, fun, surprising, and exciting: and that people do take fashion seriously, fashion makes people feel good, and it makes them look divine in their own way.” Fashion can mean differently to everyone, it can mean it’s nice to wear or it’s just pretty to look at. Today's fashion is more casual and cute wear. We have different designs, girls and women wear pants almost more than men now:). We even have more patterns to our clothing, we can wear hats to our clothing, you can even wear hats with your dress. Students today wear more casual styles nowadays. So when you do get ready for school, to go out, or to an event, look in the mirror and think about why dressing is important to you.