# March 2025 newsletter Canonical URL: https://gabrieldalton.com/writing/newsletter/march-2025 Date sent: 2025-04-01T13:02:38.097Z Author: Gabriel Dalton Original Substack URL: https://gabrieldalton.substack.com/p/gabriel-daltons-march-newsletter [All newsletter issues](https://gabrieldalton.com/writing/newsletter) 01 Apr 2025 3 Minute Read A Young Leader’s Journey Through Innovation, Impact, and Sustainability ## **Hello everyone!** Can you believe we’re already **23.75% through 2025**? Time is flying, and March has been one of the most fulfilling months so far. Here's a quick snapshot of what I’ve been up to: ## **What I’ve Been Up To 📈** - 🎓 Joined the **DIAS Fellowship Program at TMU**, mentoring youth champions from across Canada and supporting their leadership journeys. - 🛍️ Collaborated with **[Denman Place Mall](http://denmanplacemall.com)** to help **modernize their website** and successfully supported efforts to **secure over $130,000 in technology grants** for local businesses. - 🖥️ Published an article in **Teen Magazine** titled *“[The Hidden Carbon Footprint: How Sustainable Web Design Can Help Save the Planet](https://www.theteenmagazine.com/the-hidden-carbon-footprint-how-sustainable-web-design-can-help-save-the-planet)”* — check it out! - 🤝 Took part in a student consulting challenge with Microsoft, helping create a presentation deck on how data centres can remain sustainable and cost-efficient as AI continues to grow rapidly. ![Microsoft and The Knowledge Society logos appear together for the student consulting challenge.](https://gabrieldalton.com/img/newsletter/march-2025/266ed5cd39cb719b.webp) ## **Achievements & Highlights 🏆** - 🚆 Presented for 5 minutes in front of the **TransLink Board of Directors**, advocating for **website sustainability**. I made an entire case study here: **[Sustainable Web Audit of TransLink.ca](https://gabrieldalton.medium.com/case-study-sustainable-web-practices-for-translink-ca-8e89a49f9f07).** 🎥 Want to watch my presentation? Check out the video below! [Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u4aCWX7MeE&t=261s) - ✅ Completed the **[TKS](https://tks.world) Microsoft Challenge Project** with a fantastic team. [Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zR2EWPhxGM) - 🌸 Took a well-earned break during **Spring Break** — time to recharge and reflect. - 💻 I’m now **halfway through my online Entrepreneurship 12 course**, which I opted to complete independently. ## **Random Thoughts 💭** - 📱 *Phones in schools shouldn’t be banned.* Instead, we should **teach students how to use them responsibly** — whether for learning or building a business (like I’ve done!). But let’s be honest, mindless scrolling and gaming during class or lunch? That’s what really needs to go. - 🧠 I believe **extreme ownership** should be taught in schools. The ability to take full responsibility for our actions is a game-changer. - 🔍 After watching my TransLink presentation multiple times and analyzing body language, I’m pretty sure my message was new to them**,** and being a young advocate for sustainability made it all the more impactful. I hope to continue working with them to further optimize their website’s environmental performance. ## **Shoutouts 👏** 1. **[TransLink Board](https://www.translink.ca/about-us/about-translink/board-of-directors#board-members) and the [TransLink Senior Executive Team](https://www.translink.ca/about-us/about-translink/corporate-overview)** – thank you for approving my request to speak and for allowing youth voices to raise awareness about modern world issues. 2. **[Darien Yang](https://www.linkedin.com/in/darien-yang-04b78b2a5/)** – your technical insight and teamwork during the Microsoft challenge were unmatched. A pleasure working with you. 3. **[Yousef Soliman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousef-soliman-106ab2333/), [Om Gulia](https://www.linkedin.com/in/omgiangulia/) & [Aryan Kazimi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryan-kazimi-87430132b/)** – thank you for your contributions to our Microsoft project. We made a great team! ## **What’s Next? 🚀** - *Gold to $4,000?* Watching the markets closely 👀 ![TradingView gold chart rises above US$3,000 per ounce in March 2025.](https://gabrieldalton.com/img/newsletter/march-2025/e586c7a826c3f311.webp) I always love connecting with others, so feel free to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or just to say hi. Your support and feedback mean the world as I keep learning, growing, and exploring. Warmly, *Gabriel Dalton* **P.S.** If you want to read more about any of these projects, check out my [Medium](https://gabrieldalton.medium.com/) or [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieldalton/). [Read this issue on Substack](https://gabrieldalton.substack.com/p/gabriel-daltons-march-newsletter) [Subscribe on Substack](https://gabrieldalton.substack.com/subscribe)