Abby is passionate about helping people recognise their potential to create change. Raised in a small town, she never saw herself as a leader. She wasn’t the loudest voice, but cared deeply about her community and wanted to contribute. Becoming involved with Stick ‘n Stones, she realised the importance of giving rangatahi tools to take action themselves, not waiting to be ‘picked’.

A passionate advocate for youth voice in governance, she works to create opportunities for youth to influence decision-making. She co-founded Te Ara Tīrama: Charitable Trust, an initiative connecting rangatahi across Aotearoa who care about their communities but don’t always see a pathway to act. Through co-designed online learning, Te Ara Tīrama supports rangatahi to access mentorship and develop skills to create change.

Abby is also a registered ICU nurse, caring for critically unwell patients and families through their most difficult days. Whether guiding someone through their first steps after major surgery or supporting whānau facing the loss of a loved one, the role demands compassion and resilience, and Abby considers it a privilege to walk alongside people when they need it most. 

“The most lasting impact we can have is not through what we achieve, but through how deeply we make people feel seen, valued, and cared for.” 

After surviving a devastating house fire and enduring profound personal loss, Alesha turned to design as a way to process pain, rebuild identity and reconnect with herself. Now this talented designer uses human-centred design to create bespoke wearable art that transforms how people experience grief, trauma and healing through her social enterprise, To Hold, To Heal, To Protect, To Honour. Experimenting with recycled metals, her pieces sit on pulse points, echoing the wearer’s heartbeat, and when two people overlay theirs, it allows the wearers to feel each other’s heartbeat vibrations. Guided by the Māori principles of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, kotahitanga and tikanga, Alesha’s pieces are made for people who have gone through antagonistic experiences. So far, this trailblazer has worked with different people, including burn survivors, amputees, and those navigating child loss. Through 3D scanning, motion capture and welding, she breaks new ground in wearable technology. Alesha’s initiative has been recognised by TEDx, The RED Awards, Women Thrive magazine and the Best Awards. Passionate about cultural integrity and collective wellbeing, this amazing creator is redefining how design can honour and connect people through adversity.   

“Through every stage of transformation, refuse to let others shape the limits of your becoming.” 

Angela is committed to ensuring no woman is left to navigate inequality alone. She is the founder and chair of Te Puawaitanga Women’s Organisation, where she’s led community initiatives addressing domestic abuse, securing over $20,000 in funding. As Petitioner and Youth Lead for We Are EndoWarriors, she’s also led a national petition gathering 6,000 signatures to address endometriosis and period poverty and developed a campaign that has donated 25,000 period products and educated more than 500 students on menstrual health. This dedicated University of Auckland Law and Environmental Science student believes that systemic change happens when policy advocacy meets community action. And she knows from her own experience that when women organise, systems shift and futures change. Angela also understands the power of sport and movement and co-founded the Auckland Women’s Skate Festival to create spaces where women and girls can belong. This legend is also a talented writer, winning the Rod Oram Memorial Essay Prize in 2026, “Building houses that we can call homes.” When she’s not studying, she’s chasing adrenaline as a certified scuba diver and learning to skydive.   

“Fortune favours the bold” 

Destiny believes teaching whānau to regenerate their own soil is a profound act of climate resilience. This proud wahine Māori and māmā cares deeply for te taiao. Guided by te ao Māori, her life-changing waste regeneration workshops go far deeper than sustainability; they’re about healing people and place, and exploring social and economic challenges that disrupt our ability to care for the whenua.  

Destiny wears many hats, serving as a Waste Regeneration Educator in Māngere and Ōtāhuhu, a Pest Trap Technician, Kaiawahina for the Manukau Food Forest, and Cultural Team Lead for Manurewa Youth Council. Destiny's advocacy’s informed by lived experience growing up in South and East Auckland with parents who were barely adults themselves, and where poverty and hardship shaped her community. But having her own daughter became a turning point to break intergenerational cycles.  

Through Tuia kaupapa, she deepened her understanding of cultural identity, and the structural causes of poverty and inequity. Now, working to awaken kaitiakitanga in everyday life, Destiny believes collective wellbeing’s woven through strong communities and healthy whenua. Her hands are never clean for long, and she prefers it that way.

"Don't wait until you're ready. Start scared. Start while you're way over your head!" 

At the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, Elsie delivered a live science experiment to inspire young Pacific girls to see themselves in STEM. Proudly from the villages of Dara and Vuruleke in Choiseul Province, and Bina village in Kwaio, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, she’s committed to ensuring Pacific girls can view a future in leadership, STEM, and public life. Now based in Aotearoa, Elsie graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Otago. Her academic journey has been recognised through multiple scholarships, awards, and a growing reputation as a passionate advocate for Pacific health. As Miss Solomon Islands Cultural Ambassador 2024–2025, Elsie’s used platforms across the Pacific to champion women’s health and Pacific women's experiences. She also fiercely challenges colourism faced by Melanesian women in international and Pacific spaces, speaking openly about how post-colonial ideals shape unrealistic beauty standards, while proudly showing the world how beautiful brown is. Alongside her advocacy, Elsie’s an actor represented by KR Actors, balancing auditions and film projects as she grows as a storyteller and leader. 

“You don't need to have all the answers now; some experiences are just seeds that will make sense later.” 

“The way you treat others, how you listen, and how you show up when things are difficult will shape you more than any achievement ever will.” 

Proudly from Afghanistan, Farwa is the second daughter in a family of five siblings, whose mother was denied an education during the war as a woman, yet worked tirelessly to ensure her children would have opportunities she never did. Farwa and her family fled Afghanistan seeking safety, spending four years in Malaysia before resettling in Aotearoa in 2021. Experiencing displacement shaped her understanding of inequality and the barriers refugee communities face. Farwa’s father raised her to stand up for herself and for others and she spends a lot of time supporting Afghan women and former refugees, volunteering as a Dari/Persian interpreter and working with Community Law Otago. She participated in the National Refugee Resettlement Forum 2025 and works with the Meaningful Refugee Participation programme, using her voice to stand alongside those who are silenced.Today, because of her family’s determination, sacrifice and support, Farwa is studying Law and Computer Science at the University of Otago. This amazing trailblazer is also the treasurer of the Dunedin Hazara Association, speaks three languages and finds comfort in books and long bus rides.  

“Embrace and love the entirety of yourself, your cultural identity, your hopes and dreams, your achievements, and your mistakes.” 

Graeson grew up in Ōpōtiki surrounded by Māori and Pasifika women who embodied manaakitanga and aroha. From a young age, she witnessed the strength of Indigenous women who carry communities, often without recognition, inspiring her commitment to creating spaces where wāhine and rangatahi are empowered to lead. At ten, Graeson began her changemaker journey with Māori Women’s Welfare League (MWWL), learning that leadership is grounded in service, responsibility, and creating pathways for those who follow. She established MWWL’s first youth membership and was elected inaugural youth representative for MWWL in 2025. As a member of Ōpōtiki Peka, she has contributed to governance, financial management, and initiatives uplifting local whānau. Graeson presented evidence on behalf of MWWL in the Mana Wāhine claim and represented MWWL nationally and internationally, including at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York in 2024 and 2025. While navigating invisible disabilities throughout her youth, Graeson has continued to build her leadership journey and career, advancing Indigenous youth governance, advocating for rangatahi voices, and sharing the power of youth leadership to shape the future. 

“Stand grounded in who you are. And if you’re still finding your way, look to your whenua, your whānau, your tīpuna, and the quiet voice within.” 

In 2023, Jade travelled to Timor-Leste, where she witnessed the impacts of climate change and food insecurity firsthand. Inspired by the resilience of local communities, she returned to Aotearoa and became one of four full-time Youth Ambassadors for World Vision New Zealand, supporting the national 40 Hour Challenge, which raised more than $900,000. Jade later joined the Youth Impact Foundation as its youngest presenter, delivering leadership and wellbeing workshops to students across New Zealand and Australia. Grounded in her faith, culture, and community, Jade is passionate about helping young people reach their potential. She represented Aotearoa as the sole New Zealand delegate at the National Leadership Forum in Canberra and continues to work alongside young people as an MC for World Vision Junior Youth Conferences. Now studying Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Otago, Jade hopes to use sport as a tool for youth development and positive social change.

“O le ala i le pule o le tautua — The pathway to leadership is through service.” 

Growing up in Whangārei, Jodie spent much of her life involved in her community through volunteering, advocacy, and local initiatives. She is actively trying to change the way that young people see themselves and believe in themselves, so they don't face the same challenges she did. She’s donated her time to different organisations from Whangārei Youth Space, Volunteering Northland, and Relay for Life. She’s seen both the challenges facing Whangārei but also the opportunities for change. The Whangārei District Council candidate believes strong communities are built when people feel connected, supported, and able to contribute. Over the years, she’s learned that meaningful change often comes from ordinary people who are willing to step up and work together. She aims to strengthen connections across Whangārei and support long-term community wellbeing for everyone. 

“It’s okay to be scared, nervous, and unsure of yourself.  It’s okay to not have everything figured out.  It’s okay to feel all those things, but don't stop because of them, do it anyway.” 

Jordan has always made sense of the world through visual storytelling. As an award-winning communication designer and emerging Kaupapa Māori health researcher, she uses design as a tool for connection and belonging. She holds a Bachelor of Design (Top of School) and a Master of Design (First Class Honours) from Auckland University of Technology. Her master’s research sat within Kaupapa Māori approaches to hauora and violence prevention, where she worked alongside whānau who had experienced state intervention and the removal of tamariki. Together, they co-created tools grounded in mātauranga Māori, translating lived experience into accessible illustrated resources. As a Māori designer who is takiwātanga (autistic), Jordan knows what it’s like to exist on the edges of spaces, and this shapes her commitment to ensuring people feel seen, heard, and valued. Now beginning her PhD, alongside an international initiative backed by the LEGO Foundation, this incredible trailblazer continues to explore how Māori design and tākaro (play) can strengthen intergenerational connection and wellbeing. Her designs have been recognised nationally and internationally, including the Toi Māia Award, Te Ara Auaha Dean’s Award, and Gold at the New Zealand Best Design Awards. 

“The things that make you different are often the things that will help others feel seen. Let them take up space!” 

Growing up in West Auckland, Kenisha worked alongside rangatahi impacted by youth crime and saw how poor mental health, racism, and social exclusion often intersected in the lives of the young people she was trying to support. Through this experience, she realised that young people deserve a voice in conversations about complex social issues like systemic racism, not just topics traditionally labelled as “youth issues.” Because every issue affects young people. These experiences inspired her to create something where rangatahi feel connected, understood, and supported - places where they learn they do not need “fixing”; it is inequitable systems that need to change. At 16, Kenisha founded REdefine Aotearoa, a youth-led racial education initiative that helps rangatahi navigate the impacts of racism while protecting their mental hauora. Supported by Youthline, MYD, the King's Trust, Buzzly, and Hauora, REdefine now leads a national team of 31 young people, creating resources and digital content that reaches thousands online. This remarkable Year 13 student is also a former national champion long-distance runner. Now living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, she believes fairer, equitable systems are essential for all our futures. 

“Save yourself before trying to save the world.” 

Born in Aotearoa and growing up in Pakistan, the adults around Layba tried to shield her from stories of violence against women and girls. Yet those stories were impossible to avoid, and they too often ended in silence rather than accountability. Fuelled by her own traumatic childhood experiences, Layba became determined to speak up about injustices, particularly sexual harm, and she’s set out to challenge and shape systems that allow it to happen. Her advocacy focuses on legal reform, survivor-centred justice, and youth civic engagement. Layba founded and led the nationally recognised National Consent Law Reform campaign, driving a movement to transform how consent is understood and recognised in law. The campaign calls for an affirmative definition of consent in New Zealand’s Crimes Act and helped shift conversations around sexual violence, accountability, and survivor safety. Across governance roles, parliamentary submissions, community organising, and international human rights spaces, this incredible trailblazer works to strengthen systems protecting women, young people, migrants, and vulnerable communities. Guided by lived experience, focused rage, and hope for a safer future for her younger sister and other girls, Layba believes change begins when silence is broken. 

“There is space for young people in law, politics, business, the arts, and every field. We should not only be present in those spaces, but help reshape them for the people who come after us.” 

Māia understands the challenges of the medical system and how people are often expected to navigate complex healthcare without the support needed to do so confidently. As a fifth-year medical student, hauora Māori researcher, and founder of the Haumanu Hauora Charitable Trust, she has made it her mission to help change that reality for communities across Aotearoa. Grounded in whakapapa and driven by health equity, Māia recognised early in her medical training that many people are asked to make life-changing decisions using information that’s rushed, complex, or not designed for them. She believes health literacy is not an individual responsibility, but a responsibility of the health system itself. She founded Haumanu Hauora to help change that. Born from experiences in community health spaces, Haumanu Hauora brings together a collective of Māori and Pacific students across different health disciplines to translate medical knowledge into clear, practical information communities can understand. The kaupapa reflects her belief that knowledge should be shared generously, and that understanding our health is a prerequisite to exercising mana motuhake. She’s passionate about strengthening health literacy and supporting whānau to exercise greater agency over their wellbeing.  

“Whai oranga, whai mana. Pursue wellbeing, pursue empowerment.”

Growing up in South Auckland, surrounded by aroha, culture, faith and resilience, Maia was also exposed to narratives that can make young Pasifika people believe their futures are already written for them. Stereotypes and small expectations were common. After a challenging Year 9 and 10, Maia decided that she would not accept that script for herself or her community. She founded LeVai of Hope, a youth-led organisation creating spaces where Māori and Pasifika rangatahi feel seen, heard, and emboldened. This incredible Afakasi Samoan young leader is shifting narratives for Pasifika youth and injecting hope into every room she enters. Through workshops, youth programmes, and cultural identity talanoa across Aotearoa, LeVai of Hope has worked with more than 400 young people. Maia believes that Pasifika youth deserve spaces where their identity is celebrated, their mental health is prioritised, and their dreams are expanded beyond survival. Currently at Auckland University of Technology, studying Social Sciences and Māori Media, Maia’s also a visual storyteller and spoken word poet. Through her words and actions, this community leader’s helping young people imagine what’s possible when hope returns. 

“Continue to refine yourself & walk in the strength that you were given. You are more than anything anyone has ever told you.”

Mariner sees storytelling as an act of service often phrased in Samoan as “Tautua”. For her, leadership begins with serving others, creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and reflected back to themselves with dignity and pride. Of Samoan and Tongan heritage, Mariner is a proud third-generation Tauiwi whose commitment to community is shaped by the sacrifices of her grandparents, who migrated to Aotearoa in the 1970s seeking opportunity for their family. Raised in South Auckland by a single mother, she grew up closely connected to the realities, strengths, and complexities of Pasifika life; experiences that sparked her passion for storytelling and advocacy. This talented, award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and youth advocate uses radio, television, podcasting, and digital media to amplify underrepresented voices and challenge harmful stereotypes. As co-creator of the wildly successful and entertaining ‘Island Roots, Auckland Ways’ (alongside 2023 Y25er, Allyssa Verner-Pula) and a proud transgender Pasifika leader, Mariner creates spaces where young people, particularly from Pasifika and MVPFFAF+ communities, can see themselves reflected in media, leadership, and public life, and imagine wild and wonderful new possibilities for their futures. 

"Everything you need is already within you. You will glow brighter when you decide to put yourself first."

Born and raised in Abu Dhabi, Mira grew up surrounded by a rich tapestry of languages, cultures, and perspectives. These experiences ground her fluency in Arabic and her belief in representation, belonging, and community. Her commitment to public service has been shaped through work alongside diverse communities and young people. As Vice President of the Waikato Students’ Union, a community liaison with the New Zealand Electoral Commission, and youth worker with Shama Ethnic Women’s Trust and Refugee Orientation Centre, she’s learned the importance of creating spaces where young people feel heard and empowered to participate. Recently admitted to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, this big‑hearted leader is passionate about governance that’s transparent and grounded in lived experience. She works in Auckland Council’s Graduate Programme in Governance, gaining experience in stakeholder engagement and public sector decision‑making. She’s also a strong advocate for justice and human rights, expanding her work in global spaces. Across every role she takes on, Mira is dedicated to listening to different perspectives, celebrating cultures, and building systems that better serve communities. 

“If you're really scared to do something, it's probably the thing you need to do the most. Nothing changes if nothing changes.”

Naomi didn’t want to take digital tech at high school because of the severe lack of representation of girls in the classroom, so she waited until her final year before stepping into the subject that she now champions. That experience of hesitation, fear, and imposter syndrome sits at the centre ofher leadership. This young STEM champion is the co-founder of Genesia Girls, a charity dedicated to connecting young women, girls, and gender diverse youth with digital tech. What began as a response to exclusion has grown into a national initiative running hackathons, game jams, and workshops across Wellington, Christchurch, and soon Auckland, linking rangatahi with industry mentors and hands-on creative tech experiences. Through events like the Genesia Girls Createathon, participants have built visual novels, Role Playing Games, and media-based solutions, and described a new sense of confidence and belonging in tech spaces. A TechStep Ambassador and Girls GameChangers Esports committee member, Naomi works to break down barriers and open doors. When this Canterbury University student’s not studying or winning speech competitions, she writes songs for her YouTube channel, sews clothes and enjoys tramping.   

"Don't be scared to ask for something and get turned down. The more no's you get, the more likely you are to get a yes."

Growing up in Afghanistan, Nasrin saw how limited life could be for women. Girls were often not allowed to study, speak in public, or go outside without a male guardian. These early experiences helped her understand the value of having choices and fuelled the responsibility she now feels to help others find their voice to speak up for change. Nasrin arrived in Aotearoa as a refugee in August 2022. Adjusting to a new country with language barriers was challenging, but she worked hard, adapted quickly, and built confidence. Now studying a Certificate of University Preparation at the University of Waikato, Nasrin’s goal is to study a Bachelor of Engineering in 2027. Alongside studies, Nasrin serves her community as a youth leader in the Meaningful Refugee Participation programme, volunteering at Shama Ethnic Women's Trust—including workshops on violence against women—and supporting programmes at Refugee Orientation Centre Trust. In 2025 Nasrin was selected to attend Changemakers Academy at the 30th AFS Youth Assembly in New York. Through different initiatives, this big-hearted changemaker helps refugees feel connected, confident, share their voices, access opportunities and dream big.  

"Some of the best things happen when life doesn't go the way you expected."

Natalia grew up in Waikaremoana with her three siblings, mother, and grandparents, graduating from Wairoa College in 2020. In such small communities, marginalised groups can be nearly non-existent. She has had to navigate what her background dictates about her future. As a Māori, neurodivergent wahine from a rural, low-income background who struggled with identity, Natalia has experienced how traits can shape expectations about the life she should lead. But it is exactly this that drives her to walk her own path regardless of background, creating visibility for others, and proof of what's possible. Natalia studied mechatronics engineering at AUT, with a sincere interest in holistic te ao Māori wellbeing frameworks, like her grandmother before her. She also dove into hackathons, robotics, and mathematics teams, and served on the AUTSA student council. She is now channelling that same multidisciplinary energy into a new career direction. Outside of studies she focuses on her family, music, and art, having been a finalist for the 2025 Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award. 

"Be open to change, don't fret about straying from traditional career paths, learn what drives you without forcing yourself to hold onto it when it changes, and floss daily."

Raised in Tokomaru Bay, Orini is a proud pā kid grounded in te ao Māori. Her whakapapa connects her to the East Coast, Te Teko, Torere, Umupuia, Rangitukia, Whaingaroa ,Te Rohe Pōtae, and Samoa - Vailu'utai , and Salani. Growing up in te taiao shaped her worldview; the moana and whenua were her first teachers, and mātauranga was passed down through whānau. At 18, during her first year of teacher training, Orini experienced Cyclone Gabrielle and witnessed the devastation and isolation faced by Māori communities across Te Tairāwhiti. At the time, she was contributing to a research project with Te Weu Tairāwhiti examining extreme weather impacts on hauora for Māori communities. This ignited a passion for ensuring climate education is embedded in her teaching and sharing mātauranga . Now qualified, Orini has taken part in an Indigenous knowledge exchange with the Mapuche people of Chile and Rapa Nui. Alongside teaching, she’s coordinated climate education kaupapa through Future Unity - a rangatahi-led initiative based in Porirua. Her mahi is grounded in the belief that restoring ecosystems strengthens whānau, hapū and iwi. She is now working as a Māori Advisor at Education NZ Manapou ki te Ao. 

"Honour your tīpuna by standing on the foundations they built, and use that strength to create pathways for the generations to come.”

At 20, Rahaf has become one of the most consistent and impactful young voices for Palestinian solidarity in Aotearoa. As part of the Palestinian diaspora, with family from Gaza, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her advocacy. Since 2023, she has lost over 100 family members to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, yet continues to organise, speak, and advocate with remarkable resilience, clarity, and compassion. Whether coordinating rallies, speaking at public events, working alongside politicians, or supporting fellow young Palestinians, Rahaf brings courage and genuine care to everything she does. She currently serves as Co-President of Student Justice for Palestine at the University of Auckland and is actively involved in youth-led Palestinian advocacy and community organising across Aotearoa. Alongside her activism, Rahaf is a powerful slam poet whose words have moved many audiences. Through her leadership, storytelling, and unwavering commitment to justice, she is inspiring a generation of young people to use their voices and believe that meaningful change is possible. 

“There will be moments when you feel like you don't belong, and in those moments, remember that you being there matters more than you think.”

Spending years learning karate in the male-dominated combat sport, and standing 149 cm high, Savera learned how to regulate her emotions and process under pressure. Now, as a First-Degree Black Belt and Regional Karate Judge, this talented South Asian New Zealander is taking what she’s learned to share with rangatahi. She says young people are rarely given the tools to process pressure in healthy ways, and are often expected to cope until they can’t, and adults intervene. So, she's created Bright Start, a youth-led initiative delivering workshops that integrate movement and emotional regulation to support preventative mental health for rangatahi. Beyond Bright Start, Savera is a Youth Council member with the 5Rights Foundation and contributes to Girl Rising, engaging in policy conversations and campaigns that centre youth voice, digital wellbeing, and girls’ education. Alongside leadership work, Savera is studying psychology and criminology at the University of Auckland, with plans to transition into law, driven by an ambition to work at the highest levels of legal practice and help strengthen systems. Savera believes young people deserve access to tools to create their own futures.   

“Say yes to opportunities before you feel fully prepared because growth has a way of meeting you there.”

When Telesia was 12 years old and living in Fiji, she organised a climate strike at her school. That experience showed her that young people can create real change when they speak up together, and since then storytelling has become a way of advocating for issues she cares about. This passionate advocate is a proud Sāmoan Fijian Kiwi filmmaker, published author, and TEDx speaker. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and a learner of Pacific languages, she encourages other young people to embrace language learning to connect with their identity. Her creative work’s driven by a commitment to climate justice - her award-winning documentary, Telesia 2 the World, had a successful run at international film festivals. She’s worked as a facilitator for the Pacific Youth Short Film Competition and is growing her career as an actress and director, focused on uplifting Indigenous and Pasifika stories. Alongside filmmaking, she’s worked at Wētā Workshop as a bilingual tour guide. Through Poporazzi Productions and the Pacific Climate Warriors, Telesia is not only telling Pasifika stories about climate change but building a stage for other cultures to share theirs. 

"The world will always have opinions, but your purpose for your life is greater than any rejection. So keep being unapologetically you."

Growing up between cultures as a Nigerian-born, South African-raised New Zealander, Tunmise developed an early awareness of how identity is shaped through language, place, and story. Now based in Dunedin, this award-winning writer is studying at the University of Otago. Her stories explore belonging, cultural memory, and place, and have been published widely including: Poetry Ireland Review, Starling, Landfall, The Spinoff, Newsroom, The Pantograph Punch, and Verb Wellington. Across poetry, essay, and critiques, her writing reflects a commitment to storytelling as both expression and connection. She’s the founder and editor-in-chief of The Art Lens, a literary magazine and podcast platform amplifying emerging young writers and artists, plus she writes the wonderful ‘whispers of oizys’ on Substack, reaching over 10,000 subscribers. Her writing has been recognised through multiple awards, including first place in the Sargeson Prize (Secondary School Division, 2023) and the Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook Student Poetry Competition (2023), among others. For Tunmise, writing is not only a craft but a way of making sense of the world: creating space for perspectives that expand how we understand ourselves and each other. 

"Keep going even when you're unsure; you'll surprise yourself."