APEX CURRENT

  When you ask a kid about their favorite animal, you’ll usually hear dogs, cats, or horses. But for as long as I can remember, I wasn't like most kids. While my classmates were reading comic books or fairy tales, I was completely absorbed in shark encyclopedias and illustrated marine books. Finding peers who shared this niche obsession was nearly impossible, but I couldn't help it. I had an innate curiosity and love for marine life, and sharks grabbed my attention not out of fear, but out of absolute awe. August/22/2026/Selimiye/Turkey To me, sharks are easily the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. Out of more than 500 species, only a tiny fraction are responsible for their terrifying reputation (most don't care about humans at all!). They are the vital engineers of our oceans, maintaining the delicate balance that keeps our planet healthy. As a kid, I always had a drive to convert theoretical knowledge into real-world experience. I studied their diets, habitats, ...

When you look in the mirror, what do you actually see? Do you see the person you truly are, or do you see the version of yourself that feels inadequate and broken? For a long time, looking in the mirror was my greatest fear. Today, I’ve conquered that fear—but I know so many people who still struggle with it every single day. If you’re reading this and feeling trapped in that shadow, let me tell you how night and day can exist within the same lifetime. The Shadow of 2020: Isolation and Vulnerability I was never a typical kid; I always craved adrenaline, nature, and new experiences. But when the 2020 pandemic hit, everything ground to a halt. Locked inside, my unhealthy eating habits spiraled out of control. By the time I was in 7th grade, I was pushing nearly 80 kilograms (175 lbs). 2018/before highschool and pandemic Carrying that much weight as a young teenager while still dreaming of adventurous experiences turned out to be a recipe for peer bullying. While my classmates bonded onli...