The 6th HUPE in Storyland competition Ranking

Growing up I have always found myself as none the less what one would describe a "disciplined" child. Someone who would always have to measure her words, dismiss her thoughts and restrict her emotions. But, I would like to describe my younger self with something else, rather rigorous. You see, sure, I was disciplined in a way but not by free will. It was like surviving in a corrupt system where, if you weren't careful and thorough enough to someone's liking, you would be the odd one out. And as cliche as that sounds, developing in a small, old-fashioned, traditional town will sculpt you into the very thing you might despise most, a replica of others which whom you don't agree with, whether it's something bigger like politically based or something seen as "less relevant" like fashion or music based. And as much as everybody says "we don't make impact on others surrounding us", I disagree, because one's words and actions can flip a whole different switch in your mind. For example, even if your front lobe was fully developed, if someone said anything even miniature as "Oh! Your shirt is out of style !" chances are that most of today's generation would take it to heart, either they would lock it up somewhere deep within themselves or express it out loud, it wouldn't just go away, it never does. Now let's put into perspective the very fact that already, by the ripe age of nine, I knew the options of expressing myself were nonexistent. During my pre-teen years, for the first time ever, on an unimportant park walk with my mum, I saw someone who to my understanding back then was a rebel. A tall, pale-skinned woman, wearing liberty spikes atop her head, with a "battle vest" which is another term for a leather vest, usually coated in patches of different metal bands, dating all the way back to the late 70's. At first, I sensed a strange gut feeling realizing that people still chose to be themselves, even in such an awful world like there is today. My little legs carried me over to her (with the permission of my mum, of course) and instead of dismissing me she simply elongated her arm, gave me a quick high five and a small guitar pick before walking away. I presented the pick to my mum but it was quickly forgotten somewhere in my pocket up until I arrived home and placed it into a glimmering glass jar on my window sill. Fast forward to two fateful years later I had finally decided to sort out me and my brother's room, all because I had an awful day and needed to freshen up my mind. Whilst thoroughly cleaning my living space I stumbled upon that jar, yes, the one with the, now dusty, pick inside. I placed it into the shaky palm of my hand and read the bold lined, red inked letters out loud: "AC/DC"? My mind instantly flooded with millions of questions, the main being what-or who-exactly was on the pick! Therefore that night I took matters into my own hands and researching further and further I found myself actively listening to the mentioned band more and more over time. Borrowing my mum's old eye shadow palettes and half empty eyeliners I began to experiment with make-up in the safety and comfort of my bedroom. It started off with a wonky eyeliner and small stars on my eyelids, which wasn't surely the best "alternative make-up out there" but it was enough to finally make me feel something deep enough to genuinely bring a small smile to my lips. Then I finally gathered a tiny bit of my savings to buy myself some ripped black jeans and a nude lip liner. I can't even physically explain the feeling within myself after gaining the new outfit, the closest emotion I could describe it as was a state of utter bliss. For me, getting a silver ring set from a city store as a birthday gift was the equivalent of being told you've won the lottery. And as silly as that may sound to some people, for a while it was the only thing easing my stressed mind whenever I'd have an obnoxiously loud day. When I had gotten my first phone it was the perfect chance to start exploring my interests, ranging from music and fashion to cartoons. It was last summer when my friend of many years had finally encouraged me to be myself, to use my hobbies to represent my identity, to not let ethnicity, tradition or others define me and that's when I realized that I indeed was more than just my surname. Yeah, it was a small part of me but it was as clear as daylight that it wasn't and wouldn't be the deciding factor of who I am. For the first time in many years I went out dressed as if I came straight out of a 90's music video and couldn't care less how much or who exactly was judging me. My 14th birthday, the one when I finally gathered enough cash to buy myself my favourite book series "Harry Potter" and two funko pops of my favorite characters whose shape and form I in some way gravitated to because I related to them sincerely, yeah, I was loud and independent as the controversial character of Sirius Black but I also empathized and cared deeply for truth, therefore representing the very known and loveable character of Remus Lupin or better known as Professor Lupin, hence why for the longest time ever since my closest peers have called me Moony, exactly after him, in his honour. Why? Because he was always different but pushed forward, ignoring others' judgements and ultimately becoming the best version of himself. I could go on and on rumbling about that franchise and the deep love and understanding that had been growing within me, but I've decided to sum it up. While that well-known series might seem like "just a children's story" there are so many layers and a profound backstory beneath it that I practically recommend it to everyone I meet nowadays. As fate would have it, it only made my creative side bloom more. I hoarded a lot of paper, glittery pens, acrylic paints, cardboard... everything in reach and in a few months my room was the showcase of everything I loved. It spoke louder than words, to be completely honest with you. Once I had found a decent amount of singers I liked, I started collecting "OK" magazine posters using cheap duck tape to plaster posters with singers like Chappel Roan and Yungblud all over my walls. Of course, it wasn't the brightest idea of mine but it meant freedom and self expression. Video games also played into my character a lot, I found myself leaning towards horror games and movies. The famous Conjuring series was one of my reasonably favourites. I even rewatched it all with my best friend. And when it was finally time for the "spooky season", Halloween, I, despite my grandparents' critical thinking, celebrated it. I spent an entire three weeks' time hand-making my own costume from scratch, I think that shows exactly how determined I can be. And it wasn't an easy project either! Two whole weeks were spent piecing together heavy pieces of cardboard to make the famous Foxy's head from Five Nights at Freddy's. I even went as far as hand covering it in homemade plaster, drying it and painting the details, then adding some wires and screws to make it look more realistic. I also made a last minute hand hook to go along with it, oh, and let's not forget the fact that I had two costumes! So whilst working on Foxy I was also making a makeshift cardboard "reverse bear trap" from the famous movie Jigsaw. It was a hard mind-wrecking process, but I had fun, and today I still have those costumes stored away. And, well, as for my life now I went to my first rock concert, 80's glam metal inspired, for New Year's Eve. I can't think of a better way I could have possibly entered 2026. The performers really put on an A game, it felt like the earth was trembling below the crowd's feet, exactly what rock music was meant to be. I am finally ready to voice that I am truly the best and realest version of myself. I left a toxic loophole of constant judging and misunderstanding in the long run and now I can express myself. I am extremely grateful for getting the chance to be this happy at this point of my life and I hope it will only get better from here on. I have found my purpose, it was never to be small and "fit in" because I do not believe in something called the "normal" as we are simply different and unique. So why should only one particular thing be considered the "norm"? I truly think whoever started the concept of a "norm" is someone who has experienced beauty only within oneself and I thank all the gods above that I can not only acknowledge but appreciate everyone's individuality. In no way am I calling myself perfect, far from that. I know my strengths and weaknesses, but I believe I am what I was meant to be. No, hard metal music and rock style isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's my choice still respecting who everyone else chooses to be, because deep down we are all humans and therefore shall be equal. I still think of that lady from the park hoping that some day I will get the opportunity to properly express a warm thank you for shaping me into who I am today and truly making me grow up into a respectful person. Remember, our time is limited so don't waste it spreading negativity, spread kindness and awareness so that one day we can all live in a peaceful world.

Growing up I have always found myself as none the less what one would describe a "disciplined" child. Someone who would always have to measure her words, dismiss her thoughts and restrict her emotions. But, I would like to describe my younger self with something else, rather rigorous. You see, sure, I was disciplined in a way but not by free will. It was like surviving in a corrupt system where, if you weren't careful and thorough enough to someone's liking, you would be the odd one out. And as cliche as that sounds, developing in a small, old-fashioned, traditional town will sculpt you into the very thing you might despise most, a replica of others which whom you don't agree with, whether it's something bigger like politically based or something seen as "less relevant" like fashion or music based. And as much as everybody says "we don't make impact on others surrounding us", I disagree, because one's words and actions can flip a whole different switch in your mind. For example, even if your front lobe was fully developed, if someone said anything even miniature as "Oh! Your shirt is out of style !" chances are that most of today's generation would take it to heart, either they would lock it up somewhere deep within themselves or express it out loud, it wouldn't just go away, it never does. Now let's put into perspective the very fact that already, by the ripe age of nine, I knew the options of expressing myself were nonexistent. During my pre-teen years, for the first time ever, on an unimportant park walk with my mum, I saw someone who to my understanding back then was a rebel. A tall, pale-skinned woman, wearing liberty spikes atop her head, with a "battle vest" which is another term for a leather vest, usually coated in patches of different metal bands, dating all the way back to the late 70's. At first, I sensed a strange gut feeling realizing that people still chose to be themselves, even in such an awful world like there is today. My little legs carried me over to her (with the permission of my mum, of course) and instead of dismissing me she simply elongated her arm, gave me a quick high five and a small guitar pick before walking away. I presented the pick to my mum but it was quickly forgotten somewhere in my pocket up until I arrived home and placed it into a glimmering glass jar on my window sill. Fast forward to two fateful years later I had finally decided to sort out me and my brother's room, all because I had an awful day and needed to freshen up my mind. Whilst thoroughly cleaning my living space I stumbled upon that jar, yes, the one with the, now dusty, pick inside. I placed it into the shaky palm of my hand and read the bold lined, red inked letters out loud: "AC/DC"? My mind instantly flooded with millions of questions, the main being what-or who-exactly was on the pick! Therefore that night I took matters into my own hands and researching further and further I found myself actively listening to the mentioned band more and more over time. Borrowing my mum's old eye shadow palettes and half empty eyeliners I began to experiment with make-up in the safety and comfort of my bedroom. It started off with a wonky eyeliner and small stars on my eyelids, which wasn't surely the best "alternative make-up out there" but it was enough to finally make me feel something deep enough to genuinely bring a small smile to my lips. Then I finally gathered a tiny bit of my savings to buy myself some ripped black jeans and a nude lip liner. I can't even physically explain the feeling within myself after gaining the new outfit, the closest emotion I could describe it as was a state of utter bliss. For me, getting a silver ring set from a city store as a birthday gift was the equivalent of being told you've won the lottery. And as silly as that may sound to some people, for a while it was the only thing easing my stressed mind whenever I'd have an obnoxiously loud day. When I had gotten my first phone it was the perfect chance to start exploring my interests, ranging from music and fashion to cartoons. It was last summer when my friend of many years had finally encouraged me to be myself, to use my hobbies to represent my identity, to not let ethnicity, tradition or others define me and that's when I realized that I indeed was more than just my surname. Yeah, it was a small part of me but it was as clear as daylight that it wasn't and wouldn't be the deciding factor of who I am. For the first time in many years I went out dressed as if I came straight out of a 90's music video and couldn't care less how much or who exactly was judging me. My 14th birthday, the one when I finally gathered enough cash to buy myself my favourite book series "Harry Potter" and two funko pops of my favorite characters whose shape and form I in some way gravitated to because I related to them sincerely, yeah, I was loud and independent as the controversial character of Sirius Black but I also empathized and cared deeply for truth, therefore representing the very known and loveable character of Remus Lupin or better known as Professor Lupin, hence why for the longest time ever since my closest peers have called me Moony, exactly after him, in his honour. Why? Because he was always different but pushed forward, ignoring others' judgements and ultimately becoming the best version of himself. I could go on and on rumbling about that franchise and the deep love and understanding that had been growing within me, but I've decided to sum it up. While that well-known series might seem like "just a children's story" there are so many layers and a profound backstory beneath it that I practically recommend it to everyone I meet nowadays. As fate would have it, it only made my creative side bloom more. I hoarded a lot of paper, glittery pens, acrylic paints, cardboard... everything in reach and in a few months my room was the showcase of everything I loved. It spoke louder than words, to be completely honest with you. Once I had found a decent amount of singers I liked, I started collecting "OK" magazine posters using cheap duck tape to plaster posters with singers like Chappel Roan and Yungblud all over my walls. Of course, it wasn't the brightest idea of mine but it meant freedom and self expression. Video games also played into my character a lot, I found myself leaning towards horror games and movies. The famous Conjuring series was one of my reasonably favourites. I even rewatched it all with my best friend. And when it was finally time for the "spooky season", Halloween, I, despite my grandparents' critical thinking, celebrated it. I spent an entire three weeks' time hand-making my own costume from scratch, I think that shows exactly how determined I can be. And it wasn't an easy project either! Two whole weeks were spent piecing together heavy pieces of cardboard to make the famous Foxy's head from Five Nights at Freddy's. I even went as far as hand covering it in homemade plaster, drying it and painting the details, then adding some wires and screws to make it look more realistic. I also made a last minute hand hook to go along with it, oh, and let's not forget the fact that I had two costumes! So whilst working on Foxy I was also making a makeshift cardboard "reverse bear trap" from the famous movie Jigsaw. It was a hard mind-wrecking process, but I had fun, and today I still have those costumes stored away. And, well, as for my life now I went to my first rock concert, 80's glam metal inspired, for New Year's Eve. I can't think of a better way I could have possibly entered 2026. The performers really put on an A game, it felt like the earth was trembling below the crowd's feet, exactly what rock music was meant to be. I am finally ready to voice that I am truly the best and realest version of myself. I left a toxic loophole of constant judging and misunderstanding in the long run and now I can express myself. I am extremely grateful for getting the chance to be this happy at this point of my life and I hope it will only get better from here on. I have found my purpose, it was never to be small and "fit in" because I do not believe in something called the "normal" as we are simply different and unique. So why should only one particular thing be considered the "norm"? I truly think whoever started the concept of a "norm" is someone who has experienced beauty only within oneself and I thank all the gods above that I can not only acknowledge but appreciate everyone's individuality. In no way am I calling myself perfect, far from that. I know my strengths and weaknesses, but I believe I am what I was meant to be. No, hard metal music and rock style isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's my choice still respecting who everyone else chooses to be, because deep down we are all humans and therefore shall be equal. I still think of that lady from the park hoping that some day I will get the opportunity to properly express a warm thank you for shaping me into who I am today and truly making me grow up into a respectful person. Remember, our time is limited so don't waste it spreading negativity, spread kindness and awareness so that one day we can all live in a peaceful world.