In 2011, Youthlink focused on a number of highly anticipated teen-oriented events, including all the activities leading up to the Youth View Awards (YVAs). Let's recap with Mikail Samuels, who had responsibility for bringing it all to you.

YL: This was your second year taking charge of the events leading up to the YVAs, how different was it from last year?

Mikail Samuels (MS): YVAs' demanding events schedule, combined with the heavy workload for my university courses at the time, presented a greater and fresh challenge. I had a very difficult time balancing the two, but, needless to say, I had fun taking on the challenge. They (YVAs producers) incorporated something new to the YVA nation - a talent search called 'On The Verge', which was simply amazing to cover. Interviewing the new members of the Hype Crew was also another highlight of the time I spent working on the event's coverage. This year (2011) was more grueling, but I think the actions leading up to the main event were better executed than those in 2010.

YL: How did it help you to mature as an individual and, especially, as a writer?

MS: I had to be constantly thinking outside the box when it came to interviewing the Hype Crew members because the majority of them were featured in the 2010 publications. The constant pressure to create new ideas and concepts and staying disciplined was a true test for me as a writer and person. At the end of it all, I was exposed to different writing styles, which I was fortunate to develop and hone; I gained valuable life skills which have taught me how to conduct myself more professionally, and also how to deal with persons from different backgrounds and with different traits.

YL: As humans we are fallible and so make mistakes. What were some of the mistakes that you made while you were responsible for the YVAs' coverage?

MS: I was so energetic and filled with ideas in 2010, but in 2011, I was lost and confused, which resulted in me making countless regrettable mistakes. I was flustered by the many personal issues and problems I was experiencing during the time, and I was unable to separate the problems in my personal life from work. I was often late in my coverage of events, and other times I unconsciously omitted important details.