International Youth Day 2016: Young people who inspire us

THE GIRL WHO STOOD UP FOR EDUCATION

Malala Yousafzai campaigned for universal rights to education, blogged BBC Urdu about life under Taliban occupation, survived a bullet shot to the head and became the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize – all before her 18th birthday? Last night she spoke at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow, sharing her incredible journey at An Evening With Malala. But don’t worry if you missed her – you can learn more about her story in the Oscar shortlisted documentary so you can be moved without having to move from your sofa. Because who doesn’t love their inspo with a side of popcorn?

 

THE TEEN WHO IS THE BEST FEMALE ROCK CLIMBER IN THE WORLD

Ashima Shiraishi is the best female rock climber in the world. At 14 years old she can scale boulders and rock faces that most people twice her age would feel queasy just looking at. The New York native started climbing boulders in Central Park when she was just six years old and hasn’t looked back (or down) since.

 

THE GUY WHO IS SHATTERING STEREOTYPES

Miles Chamley-Watson is so much more than a pretty face. The occasional model also happens to be a two-time Olympian and world champion fencer. This summer the 26 year old is back with the hopes of claiming gold at Rio. He was a troubled teen who first started fencing when he was given extra curricular classes but quickly discovered he had a natural knack. He reckons he has an edge over his competitors because he isn’t what you’d expect a fencer to look like, and that being an outsider is his secret to success. We’ll be cheering for you in Rio Miles!

 

THE SISTERS WHO ARE LOVED BY BEYONCE

This teen sister duo first came to our attention on Youtube with their incredible covers of the latest pop hits. But we weren’t the only ones that were watching – Beyonce quickly cast them to feature in the Lemonade video album and signed the pair to her own label in a $1 million dollar deal. Chloe (18) and Halle (16) are currently on the Formation world tour as Bey’s support act but incredibly, they also managed to find time to release their own five-song debut EP, Sugar Symphony. Listen now and you’ll understand why Queen Bey is such a fan.

 

THE BOY WHO STARTED A BUSINESS IN HIS BEDROOM

Most 16 year olds are obsessed with trainers but Benjamin Kickz has somehow managed to convert his love of kicks into cold hard cash. Ben made 1 million dollars last year through his business ‘The Sneaker Don’, selling sneaks to the likes of Chris Brown and DJ Khaled. Oh, and did we mention that he’s still in high school? Move over Alan Sugar, there is a new entrepreneur in town.

 

THE GIRL WHO TOOK ON TESCO…AND WON

14-year-old Lucy Gavaghan, from Sheffield, started a Change.org petition campaigning to stop Tesco from selling eggs from caged hens.  Last month the supermarket giant promised to stop selling eggs from caged hens by 2025 after the petition gathered more than 280,000 signatures. Lucy, who has her own hen, had been writing letters to the company for months but soon realised the web was an amazing platform to help promote change. Lucy is now using her voice to encourage Morrisons and Asda to follow suit. And if any one can do it – it’s her!

 

 

THE GIRL WE CAN’T STOP WATCHING

How could we complete this list without mentioning our favourite girl in the world, Zoella? The beauty vlogger and internet sensation has more Twitter followers than Cara Delevingne and is rumoured to make a jaw dropping £50,000 a month all thanks to simply being herself on the internet. Okay, so there is a little more to it than that. Her debut novel, Girl Online became the fastest selling book ever and she also has her own beauty line with Superdrug. Basically anything she wears/buys/eats – we want it. All hail Queen Zoella!

 

Who are you most inspired by? Let us know over on Twitter!

By Source Mag

Source is Scotland's number one student magazine, delivering the best careers advice, celebrity interviews and student survival tips every quarter.

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