The Winners.

Time to announce them!

We would love to thank all of the students who participated for the effort they have put into creating their features. Throughout our campaign, we tried to shed the light on Emirati figures who followed their passion or talent and that was our main aim.

After that being said we are glad to announce that the winners of the Why Not? Campaign for the year 2011 are the students of The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi.

Congratulations! All of your effort will be recognized and gifts will be given out once you are done with your finals. Further updates of what, when and where will be announced soon.

Keep checking our blog!

Meanwhile, you can also check out the interview we recorded on Dubai TV with Aalam Alia by clicking on the screenshot below:

Help Us Pick The Winning School

Time have passed by and we have reached the end of our senior year! We would love to thank everyone who was a part of our graduation project starting from our inspiring speakers; Bader Al Awadhi, Saeed Al Mehairi, Hind Beljafla, Moaza Matar and Maitha Al Mehairbi. Our campaign would not have been as much as exciting without their presence!

We also want to thank the students that participated with us from the following schools; Abu Dhabi International School, The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi, Al Worood Academy and Al Nahda National School.

Each school was given the task of finding an Emirati figure who used his talent or passion in his choice of career. Now the question is; How can you help us in picking a winner?

On the links bar above, you might have noticed that we edited the headings and replaced them with the names of the school. Each page has the feature the school's students submitted. They include text, videos and images. After viewing them all, click on the why not logo on the top of the page, and the sidebar on the left contains a voting poll. Vote for your favorite feature. But remember, 50% of the decision will be taken by the Why Not? Team.

The voting will close Thursday June 2nd at midnight.

Good luck to all!

Maitha Al Mehairbi In Al Nahda National Schools.

The fourth and final speech we did took place on Wednesday May 18th. The students of Al Nahda had the pleasure to meet Maitha Al Mehairbi. Maitha is an aspiring film-maker who managed to mind-blow twofour54, a current media hub in Abu Dhabi, with her creativity. She succeeded in pitching a local web series titled "Jirfah" to the creative lab at twofour54. The story of Shamsa, an Emirati girl who blogs about her daily and bittersweet life, is currently being worked on. For the time being, check out the exciting trailer below:

Maitha pointed out to the girls how even though she had many interests including: drawing. This did not stop her from implementing what she loves in her current job too. For instance, when it comes to drawing, she had to create/draw the film's storyboard. Her set of advices to the girls is what our campaign aims to achieve. They included:

"Think about what you're really passionate about, where do you think your skills are!" 

We picked 5 students to go to Phase 3 and represent Al Naha by creating a feature of an Emirati talent who portrays our objective. They are:
- Amna Al Mehairi
- Hessa Al Hashemi
- Mariam Al Romaithi
- May Al Qubaisi
- Sara Al Hosani

As previously mentioned in the past posts, the features will be published in the Features section of the blog where you and others will be able to Vote for your favorite!

Hind Beljafla and Moza Matar In Al Worood Academy.

The third speech we did took place on Tuesday May 10th in Al Worood Academy. Our exceptional guests were fashion designer, Hind Beljafla and illustrator, Moza Matar who spoke to the girls of Grade 11. This talented duo were so inspiring to listen to!

The speech began by Moza Matar recalling how her success bloomed. Her love for interior designing and illustration, directed her towards choosing a career path. However, even though Moza does not have a day-job as an interior designer, she still does the job independently and will have an office of her own soon, inshAllah! She worked for big projects such as designing for Symphony Style. You can check out her creative work on her blog: Fashion Art Frosting.

Moza reinforced on the fact that even if you could not get a job in what you love to do, this should not stop you from venturing in the area you have the passion for.

Following, Hind Beljafla started her speech by recognizing her supportive sister, Reem, and how she supported Hind to get where she is now. Hind narrated her story of how the idea of DAS Collection bloomed and how the outstanding masterpieces, came to life. The love for uniqueness and designing, inspired Hind and Reem to join together and form the empire DAS is at today!

Hind emphasized on the importance of searching within oneself, exploring one's interests, knowing exactly what one is passionate about and from there choose a major in university.

We picked 6 students to go to Phase 3 and represent Al Worood by creating a feature of an Emirati talent who portrays our objective. They are:
- Latifa Al Ameri
- Loulwa Al Dahfairi
- Maha Al Kendi
- Mariam Al Zaabi
- Shamma Al Mansouri
- Shareena Al Mehairi

As previously mentioned in the past posts, the features will be published in the Features section of the blog where you and others will be able to Vote for your favorite!

Saeed Al Mehairi In The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi.

Our second speech took place Tuesday May 3rd, which took place at the boys campus of The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi. Our guest was Saeed Al Mehairi, whose passion for cars and racing lead him to be one of the UAE and the world's top GT drivers. He also works at Abu Dhabi Motorsports Company at Yas Island.

As part of the Why Not? Campaign team, Al Mehairi spoke to the boys of Grade 11. He began his session creatively, by asking him to guess what his career is. He got with him a set of clothing he wears during driving. The students' guesses and remarks were funny. But none guessed: a GT driver! Then, Al Mehairi spoke about how he started and he got to where he is right now. His achievements, were an inspiration to the ambitious students of Glenelg.

Below is a video illustrating an advice he was giving the students:

*Note: After recording, we discovered the voice was a bit faint. 
Raise your device's volume to the loudest please, before playing it. Thank you!

Saeed Al Mehairi: A GT Driver. from Why Not? Campaign on Vimeo.

We picked 6 students to go to Phase 3 and represent Glenelg by creating a feature of an Emirati talent who portrays our objective. They are:
 - Ahmed Al Qubaisi
- Ahmed Al Saad
- Butti Al Shamsi
- Rashed Al Mehyas
- Rashed Al Nuaimi
- Yousef Al Saad

You probably noticed we picked "6" and not "5" .. that is because when we already chose the 5, 1 student insisted he wants to be part of the campaign and is too excited for the concept; which of course, we were happy to hear! So we agreed.

As previously mentioned in the past posts, the features will be published in the Features section of the blog where you and others will be able to Vote for your favorite!

Bader Al Awadhi In Abu Dhabi International School.

We began this speeches phase with Bader Al Awadhi, a passionate photographer whose work is mind-blowing!

If you haven't seen any yet, click here!

Al Awadhi is:
- President Of Emirates Photography Society.
- Board Member Of Union Of Arab Photographers.
- Board of Trustees Of Sheikh Mansour Photography Competition.
- Team Leader at Young Eager Steps Group.
- Member of Photography Society of America.
- Member of Emirates Fine Art Society.

Out of this talent, he was able to establish a unique career!

Al Awadhi visited Abu Dhabi International School (AIS) last Wednesday with us; as part of the Why Not? Campaign team. He met the boys of Grade 11 and was able to inspire them through speaking about his personal experience; how he got to where he is now. Also, showing them photos he personally took and even a "behind-the-scenes" look into how he shoots and sort of equipment he uses.

Below is a video illustrating a line he said, which we totally agree with:

Bader Al Awadhi: A Photographer. from Why Not? Campaign on Vimeo.

We picked 5 students to go to Phase 3 and represent AIS by creating a feature of an Emirati talent who portrays our objective. They are:
- Abdulla Al Hashimi
- Fares Al Mazrouei
- Hamad Al Zarouni
- Mohammed Khouri
- Saif Al Mazrouei

As previously mentioned in the past posts, the features will be published in the Features section of the blog where you and others will be able to Vote for your favorite!

Recognition.

Before we start sharing Phase 2's visits, we decided to feature two Emirati students from Zayed University who also took a part of our campaign.

Who are they and what did they do?

Big thanks goes to Aysha Saif Al Hamrani for creating our logo! We used it in our Facebook fan page and our badges. You can email her at mnawrah@hotmail.com or Follow her on twitter @Mnawrah.

Another thank you goes to Shamma Ebrahim for creating the design we used as our Twitter background and our  bookmarks. You can email her at Onga_@hotmail.com or Follow her on twitter @_ONGA_.

You have a facebook account and want to support us?

Like our fan page!

What Happened This Week.

We are finally glad to announce that we are done with Phase 1 of our campaign. 4 schools have been selected to be a part of it. Why 4? Different spring breaks clashed with our restricted amount of time!

So, which schools have we met this week?

Our thanks goes to grade 11 students in Abu Dhabi International School – Boys section for engaging in an interesting discussion about their future majors! If you are one of those who showed interest then find your name down there;

MohamedALMASOODRashidALQUBAISIMajedAlSUWAIDIFarisAlMAZOUISaifALRUMAITHISaifALMAZROUIMohamedKhouri&MohamedALFAHIM.

And last but not least we would like to thank grade 11 students in Al Worood Academy – Girls section for welcoming us  and here is what they think about our campaign:

“It's an interesting, exciting and purposeful project. Keep going on am sure it will succeed” - Shamma Al Mansoori

“It’s a very thoughtful campaign that can benefit teenage locals!” - Hind Al Khameeri

“Lots of people don't know the importance of education and how their choices throughout high school will affect them. Now, thanks to both of you every student in the country will.” - Nada Al Khaled

“You guys can change students life by making that twist, hopefully you will see us as pioneers!”  - Meera Al Awlaqi

What Happened Last Week.

We are half way through Phase 1 of our campaign. Which is meeting the students to explain our idea and encourage them to register for Phase 2; that is the speech of a famous personality! 

So which school  did we meet first?

Well, zoom in and find for yourself!

 

A big Thank you goes to grade 11/A students from Al Nahda National School – Girls Campus for welcoming us and for giving us the chance to explain our idea!

Another Thank you goes to The Glenelg School Of Abu Dhabi – Boys Campus for showing interest in our campaign and being excited about the competition!

Here is what some students from both schools think of us:

“You’re working on an amazing graduation project, best of luck!”   - Maitha Al Mazrouie

“We liked your project’s idea and we are interested to be a part of it!”  - Alya AJ

“It was an awesome visit as we knew about your campaign”  - Rashid Al Ali

“I am really happy that you care about what we want to be when we grow up!”  - Ahmed Al Qubaisi

We know we promised a speaker's list post, but we decided to reveal that some time later. After all, there must be a suspense flair in everything, right? 

And last but not least,  Saeed Al Hallami, a student from Glenelg, shot and directed an inspiring video for us which we are proud to share with you all on here! The video doesn't only portray his skills but also feature his younger brother who wants to grow up and be an astronaut.

The first Emirati astronaut? We say: Why Not?

 

Student Video: A Director & An Astronaut. from Why Not? Campaign on Vimeo.

Shall We Begin?

Ever wondered how your business card would one day look like and what would fill that job title slot with? Also, you know that question you are constantly being asked: "What do you see yourself as in the future?" Some of you have a clear understanding of who they want to be in the future. They know others have no idea. They don't know. And it's okay! We were once there and we know how it feels like exactly.

In this campaign, we will introduce you to successful Emiratis. Their careers are found in themselves. Yes, you read that right! In Themselves! They searched, found a passion and worked towards it. We aim to inspire you to look within yourself, find that special talent and passion you have.  From there, begin your journey! When you're in university or college, you would then know exactly what major, concentration or specialization you want.

 

Those talented Emiratis we cherry-picked to meet you,  will visit your school speak to you directly! Then, you will have the chance to seek another personality who inspires you and portray our mission through a feature containing images, videos, words, whatever you want. Send it to whynotcampaign@gmail.com! Later, everyone will vote for their favorite feature in our blog. And the winner group/school will get prizes that are yet to be revealed. 

We bet you're asking yourself: "Who are those Emiratis you're getting us?" The answer of this question will be posted in our upcoming post.


Keep visiting and stay tuned!