WRiting Contest #2

Laureate Category Winning SUbmissions

Untitled
By Victoria Sun
First Place, Laureate Category

“She wears the skirt at normal length, which is too long in my opinion, and she has white knee socks on today, so I don’t get to see much actual flesh.” page 29, A Million Kisses in a Lifetime. When I first read this I was shocked.

I was shocked that a writer would ever include this in their book.

I was shocked that #BookTok recommended this.

I was shocked that this book has not been labeled controversial by teachers and librarians.

More and more teenagers are starting to read dark romances. A 2023 survey found that 53% of Canadian TikTok users are reading more because of BookTok’s influence and the #booktok sub-community also had 215 billion views on Tiktok. Meaning, we teenagers will see all the influencers who are promoting dark romances. However, many times these books are executed in a way that romanitizes toxic relationships. So, today I will explain to you the severity of current dark romances and what we can do to decrease the impact it will make on our younger generations.

So let’s explore how these dark romances portray toxic relationships. What makes a dark romance “dark” is the idea that the characters may be morally gray or the activities happening are dark. We see Penelope Douglas, who is a famous author, has a book where the girl is raped, and repeatedly asked for the boy to stop, but he continued to do so, claiming that she sounded and looked like she wanted it anyway. This is sexual assault. Some people argue that this is okay because it’s fiction. Yet, if an author is writing a book on a high school girl getting raped because of what she wears, it does send a message to the reader that all girl should expect to be sexual assaulted if they wore the wrong clothes. This would also mean that it is okay for people to sexually assault their partners if they had an excuse. Though, in the real world, these actions could cause severe punishments and go against a person's human right. Other books like A Million Kisses in a Lifetime, the boys call their classmates stults and whores, and the main character continues to objectify his partner. These are clear signs of misogyny. Perhaps the biggest name in dark romance is Colleen Hoover who, as of October 2022, has sold approximately 20 million problematic dark romances, like November Nine, where a girl falls in love with a man that lied to her for 20 years about burning her house down, and leaving permanent scars on her body or Ugly Love, a girl falls in love with a man that continues to ignore her feelings and abandon her.

The issue is that these writers normalize dark romances. Since these authors repeatedly describe these romances without writing about healthy romances, it sends a message to the readers, including us teenagers, that what they are reading is normal. Additionally many times they describe the events in the book as an aspirational thing. That people should date murderers who hate everyone but them. That they should date a mafia leader who objectifies women. We don’t promote this in society and writers shouldn't either.

At school, we have conversations about a lot of topics, drugs, consent, mental health … but I have never been taught about what healthy romantic relationships should look like. I guess schools thought that characters in media and videos on social media were enough. However society proves otherwise.

According to youth.gov, as many as 76% of teenagers have found themselves experiencing emotional or psychological abuse in relationships.

According to a policy brief on ending intimate partner and domestic abuse by the House of Commons in 2022, 44% of women (6.2 million of us) aged 15 and older have reported some kind of abuse in their intimate partner relationship.

According to that same brief, every six days, a woman in Canada is murdered by her intimate partner.

We teenagers have limited to no knowledge on the topic of dark romances and healthy romances, and have yet to understand what a toxic relationship looks like and what we should have in a relationship. When these books are our first examples, they will heavily influence our ideals in a relationship.

Now how can we help?

First, it starts with teachers. Most teachers ask their students to read. However, many students don’t because the books schools recommend are either too boring or too difficult to understand. This means students either don't read or go on social media to find recommendations. Currently, less than 20% of teenagers in the US read for pleasure.

Now as explained before, #booktok is filled with influencers recommended books that either are not appropriate for teenagers or are just toxic. So, I believe it is the teacher's responsibility to give recommendations that would not only be appropriate for them but also enjoyable. This way, kids will have multiple resources, and can also notice if a dark romance is the wrong choice.

Second, schools should train their nurses and counsellors to include lessons on healthy relationships in their sex ed and consent classes. Students should learn how to recognize signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and also be taught what to do to escape or resources they can access .

Finally, regarding the BookTok community, teenagers should be more careful of what they see. WIth the knowledge from other classes, they should approach this community with a grain of salt, knowing that these books may not be appropriate or educational.

Even though, we teenagers always say that we are independent and don’t need help. We do. So, we need teachers to recommend better books that don’t portray dark romances in an unhealthy, positive light. We need counselors to educate us on the signs of dark romances and toxic relationships in real life to prevent us from living these stories. Finally, we need TikTok influencers and users to be more aware of the information they promote or watch on #BookTok. We girls shouldn’t grow up thinking that getting hit is normal. We girls shouldn’t grow up thinking it is okay to be objectifed and sexualised. We girls shouldn’t grow up with dark romances being our primary source of information on relationships. Thank you.

Pursuit of Knowledge in a Technological Sea
By Adhisri Venkat
Second Place, Laureate Category

Humans have always pursued truth and information. From when humans invented hunting weapons and tools for one's own interest, to the rapid development of technology through communication, humans have always strived to make sense of their surroundings through the pursuit of knowledge. These varying perspectives are the product of social media and instant technology, blending seas of information into compressed posts. This struck me when I found myself thirty minutes late to school this morning. I placed my faith in the bus app on my phone, one I believed would have served to remind me of the bus's arrival. The bus system in Langley isn’t the most prompt in its timing and today had been no exception. Had I taken a moment to glance up from my phone, even briefly, I would’ve noticed it sweep me by. And with that- it was gone. Staring to watch the bus leave, a message appeared on my phone reading “Your bus has now arrived.” Technology has aided in our world's rapid progression through a “shared mind,” yet condenses itself into the ignorant shadows of social media. As we put our faith into its hands we silence our own perspective of the world, killing our critical thinking.

Information has never been more omnipresent. IBM estimates that 90% of the world’s online data has been created in just two years. However, despite this number, the sea of information we swim in has become carefully filtered by what our inner circles and friends discuss, creating personal “information bubbles.” These result in the solidification of false beliefs that become harder and harder to correct over time. Ironically, search engines and tailored content are more likely to breed ignorance than knowledge. Undeniably, it is impossible to attend to each fragment of information scattered across the internet, but most of us prioritise what coincides with our own values. This ‘sea’ has become our lens in which we perceive or distort reality. Whether the topic is the P Diddy and Beyonce scandal, F1 world cup or the upcoming US presidential elections, the internet provides a perfect current that carries us to validations of our opinions. This can explain why ‘trolling’ lures the attention of readers rather than questioning and transforming viewpoints. In summary, by opening our minds to conflicting viewpoints only then can we truly foster critical thinking.

If you can find the answer online, why bother thinking? The author of The Art of Thinking Clearly, explains: “News items are bubbles popping on the surface of a deeper world. Will accumulating facts help you understand the world? Sadly, no… The more news you digest, the less of the big picture you will understand.” News reaches us immediately. Before we can look up and question the information that we witness, our perspectives would have been entangled by countless biases from what we’re told to believe. For example, today the ability to acquire knowledge has outweighed the value of information itself. What truly matters is the non-stories, the ones that are slow and powerful, whispering quietly underneath a journalist's attention but having transformative effects. The ones that truly create change.

Our human minds depend on intersubjectivity. Though we may search for confirmation and support in news and social media, the nature of accessibility has allowed us to acquire and reshape knowledge more rapidly than ever before. New and modern technologies grow redundant in just a decade, as we use each communication as a stepping stone to fuel progress. In contrast to tools and weapons used in the past, the difference lies in the ability to collaborate, rather than to live isolated and develop new tools on our own. For instance, no one knows the process in which a pencil is made, illustrating the idea that we’re dependent on one another to share information and knowledge. Critical thinking is fostered through our ability to work to create an opinion. Immediate access to technology and information can be used wisely if we learn to spend more time thinking and questioning if a post or article is purely based on opinions, is it speculation, and would it still matter in months from now. The goal is not to be informed on everything, but to understand what matters.

At the end of the day, all the information we consume should be combined by looking up from your phone once in a while to notice if your bus has arrived and is waiting. It means being ready to destroy our biases rapidly rather than slowly when confronted with opposing views. Truly holding onto a belief means to argue against your point and walk away with the same clarity you had. Too much information will only detach us from the world if we aren't careful and the only way to escape the vicious cycle is to step outside once in a while and look upon the world and people with an unbiased perspective.

Screen Time Overload
By Riley Tam
Third Place, Laureate Category

The average American spends about four and half hours per day on their phone. This is equal to about 70 days out of the year. 70 days is enough time for a seed to grow into a full tomato plant. It is also enough time to walk from Vancouver B.C. to Mexico and back. As people continue to spend an increased amount of time on their phones, they begin to build unhealthy habits, negatively impact their health, and harm their relationships.

People often say phrases like “just five more minutes” or “just one more video,” while on a device, causing them to form dangerous habits. Social media like TikTok and Instagram or video games like Brawl Stars supply you with quick, high levels of dopamine. This leads to addiction and can also damage your attention span. A low attention span can cause procrastination, which can be extremely harmful to your education or job. You may not be able to do your homework or be able to get any tasks done. Even if you are able to complete them in time, the quality of your work will certainly decline. Both addiction and procrastination can also cause you to stay up much later than necessary, leading to terrible sleep habits. For example, scrolling on social media is meant to keep you “hooked,” making it very difficult to put it away and get a proper amount of rest. Personally, I found it took me almost twice as long to prepare to sleep when I had my phone with me compared to leaving it in another room.

Devices, especially phones and computers, can have a large impact on both your physical and mental health. Countless studies have been done, proving that when anyone from a child to a senior overuse a screen, it leads to higher rates of depression and anxiety and other mental health disorders. People, especially teenagers’ self-esteem, are susceptible to social media. For instance, on social media like Instagram you will constantly see pictures of famous celebrities that display their “perfect, wealthy lives”. It may lead you to feel a lack of self-confidence. Your physical health is also impacted as increased screen time leaves less time for exercise and going outdoors. Sometimes I find myself “rotting in bed” or “being a couch potato” when it is bright and sunny outside. Especially during the recent pandemic, I found myself choosing to play video games over playing outside. There is also far too much contrasting information on human health on social media, for example, diets like being vegan versus carnivore.

As a teenager growing up in a world revolving around screens, I have begun to realize the impact it has on my relationships with friends and family. I can vividly remember sitting inside a McDonalds with all my friends and the group was silent, except for the sounds of TikTok. We were even sharing videos with each other and commenting on them online, but no actual human interaction occurred for several minutes. While this may not seem like a big deal, it feels there is no point at meeting up, if everyone is still attached to their devices. I have also experienced similar situations at large family dinners. I noticed that everyone in my generation and younger were either on their phone or tablet, barely making an effort to talk to our elders. However, our grandparents, uncles, and aunts were all trying to talk to us. Children became angry and upset once their device was taken away to eat, leading to them crying and even hitting their parents.

As the average amount of screen time continues to increase, it may feel very difficult to separate from your device. However, there are several solutions and easy ways to lessen screen time. For example, when doing homework or chores, you should make your phone inaccessible, by placing it in a drawer or even another room. Whenever your phone is not necessary for your current task, you should not bring it. Not bringing your phone to your bedroom is especially important as it allows you to separate from your phone for several uninterrupted hours. You could also rid your phone of unnecessary apps or ask a friend to do a challenge with you and hold each other accountable. Picking up new hobbies that do not involve technology is also a great solution as it takes up more time during the day and leaves less time for “doom scrolling.” A decline in screen time supplies several benefits. The lack of dopamine from the screen causes you to enjoy older, simpler activities like watching the sunset or walking your dog. It could even make life feel more childlike again. Since your brain is no longer constantly occupied by a device, it allows you to be curious and explore the world.

Technology continues to surround us and the amount of time we spend on screens will only increase. Ignoring how much time you spend on technology will only cause you to build poor habits, potentially harm both your physical and mental health, and negatively affect your relationships with friends and family. From just uninstalling a couple of unnecessary apps on your phone to putting your phone away while doing your chores, letting go of your device can be very beneficial for your health and relationships. It may even allow you to walk to Mexico.

A Better Version of Ourselves
By Oscar Li
Honorable Mention, Laureate Category

Hello, everyone. Today, I’d like to talk about something that many of us can relate to: the urge to compare ourselves to others. Now, a bit of comparison isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, looking up to others can inspire us, drive us to work harder, and help us realize our potential. But when this healthy striving turns into obsessive comparison, it becomes harmful, especially for teenagers navigating the challenges of appearance, academics, and future plans.

It’s natural to want to improve, to aspire to a better version of ourselves by learning from those we admire. But this line between inspiration and toxic comparison is thin, and too often we cross it without realizing. Take appearance, for example. Many of us look up to influencers, models, and celebrities, thinking, “If I could only look like them, I’d be happier or more accepted.” Yet, this comparison doesn’t push us toward genuine self-care or well-being. Instead, it pressures us into matching ideals that are often unrealistic and even artificial. As teenagers, our self-esteem is still developing, so constantly measuring ourselves against others’ appearance can lead to anxiety, eating disorders, and poor mental health. We forget that these people have makeup artists, photo editors, and sometimes even cosmetic surgery that makes their “ideal look” something almost impossible to achieve.

Academics and university admissions are another area where comparison quickly turns toxic. There’s nothing wrong with working hard, wanting to get into a good school, or admiring a friend’s academic success. The problem starts when we lose ourselves in this race, when we begin to judge our own worth based on someone else’s GPA, extracurriculars, or college acceptance letters. For example, “XYZ person is so perfect in so-and-so way. I will never get into a good school now!” Over time, these comparisons can make us feel like we’re never enough, no matter how hard we work. Instead of being inspired by our peers, we feel intimidated or even resentful of their success. When we define ourselves by someone else’s standards, we start making choices for the wrong reasons. Rather than following our own interests, we pick the extracurriculars or classes that look “good on paper” but don’t align with our passions.

This kind of thinking doesn’t just harm our self-esteem—it’s unsustainable. It leads to burnout, to a lack of self-worth, and even to a sense of emptiness when we finally achieve something we thought would bring us happiness. We’re chasing external validation instead of building genuine confidence in our abilities and values.

So, how do we break this cycle? We can start by recognizing the difference between inspiration and comparison. We should certainly look to others as a source of motivation, but remember that our own paths are unique, and it’s okay if it doesn’t look exactly like someone else’s. When we use others’ achievements as fuel for personal growth, we’re inspired. But when we start to feel less-than because of them, that’s a signal to refocus on our own journey. True success isn’t exactly about meeting others’ standards; it’s about finding fulfillment and pride in our own progress.

In short, we should commit to valuing ourselves not as comparisons to others, but as individuals with unique strengths, potential, and journeys. We should certainly take inspiration from others’ successes—mentors, peers, and parents—to learn from them and to nurture our own growth; but we must strive for improvement without losing sight of who we are by irrelevant and superfluous distractions, and without letting comparison become a barrier to our happiness. Thank you.

Right to Repair
By James Zhang
Honorable Mention, Laureate Category

McDonald's is famous for a lot of things: cheap food, large global presence, and of course, their famously broken soft-serve ice cream machines. It has become such a running joke that in 2020, someone made a website called McBroken.com to help you check if the ice cream machine near you is-surprise-broken. While that is humorous, it really points to a deeper issue in our society: the right to repair. Why can't McDonald's fix its ice cream machines? And why, when our things break, it is not easy for us to fix them ourselves?

Hello everyone. My name is James, and today I'm here to talk about one very important issue we face in our everyday life as consumers: our right to repair devices and appliances owned by us, and why it is very crucial that such a movement gets our support. We all have, at one point in life or another, had those frustrating moments when a product breaks down and we are compelled to call manufacturers for expensive repairs. What if we could fix these items ourselves, saving time, money, and hassle?

The right to repair is essential in empowering consumers and enabling environmental and innovative benefits. I will explain how the right to repair saves us time and money, reduces waste, and spurs innovation and competition in the marketplace.

By our support for the right to repair, we save our time and money. The Repair Association says that independent repair shops generally charge significantly less compared to charges by manufacturers, sometimes reaching savings of as high as 50%. For example, Apple may charge $279 for screen replacement on an iPhone, while an independent shop can charge for this service at about $150. Moreover, extending the life of products through repairs reduces the need to purchase costly new ones. A study from the European Environmental Bureau demonstrated that extending the life of electronics in the EU by just one year could save 4 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually. Meanwhile, independent shops are usually much quicker, reducing repair times from weeks to a day or two.

The right to repair is relevant not only in terms of preserving customer choice but also for environmental reasons because of electronic waste. According to the United Nations, the world is generating around 50 million tons of e-waste annually, much of it completely avoidable if we could only repair our devices instead of discarding them. The EPA estimates that making just one smartphone uses as much energy as running a microwave for six months. The more we repair, the more we can save critical resources like rare earth metals. According to iFixit, repairing just 1% more smartphones globally would save 24,000 tons of materials annually.

Lastly, right-to-repair principles promote innovation and competition, especially for small businesses. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, local repair shops return three times more money to their communities compared with large chains, creating jobs and boosting the local economy. This increases competition to make longer-lasting and more repairable products. According to a PIRG survey, 79% of Americans strongly believe they should have the right to fix their own devices themselves, choosing how and when-to have freedom in the market.

The right to repair is a basic consumer right. If we own something, we should be able to fix it ourselves, whether that's our phones, our computers, or yes, even those notorious McDonald's ice cream machines. This would save us time and money, reduce waste, and strengthen our communities by creating jobs and a competitive marketplace.

As consumers, our choices can go a long way in making a difference. So I encourage all of you to think about it: the right to repair is a right worth having. We deserve the power to repair our belongings without unnecessary barriers. Let's take back that right. And who knows? Maybe one day we can even repair those damn ice cream machines ourselves. That would be sweet.