Honestly, I stay ahead of TikTok trends because I’m genuinely on the app a lot. I do doom scroll. But over time, you start to recognize patterns instead of just watching passively. If I see the same sound or format multiple times in one session, especially from smaller creators, that usually signals it’s about to grow. When it starts spreading across different niches, that’s when I know it has real momentum. I also pay attention to what personally makes me stop scrolling. If I pause, I think about why. Was it the first line? The tone? The relatability? That first second tells you a lot about why something works. I spend time in the comments too. A lot of humor and trend evolution actually starts there before it becomes mainstream. Watching how creators remix trends instead of just copying them helps me see where brands can step in naturally. So yes, I’m on TikTok often. But I’m always observing what’s repeating, what's new, and what still feels native to the platform. That’s usually how I catch trends early instead of after they’re already overused.

As a high school Gen Z viewer, I think a TikTok hook has to feel authentic right away. If it sounds scripted or like an obvious ad, I’m scrolling in under a second. We’ve grown up online, so we can tell when something feels forced. What works is when it sounds like someone actually talking, not performing. The first few seconds need to create a reason to stay. There has to be some kind of tension or curiosity. Something specific. For example, instead of saying “Drink more water,” a stronger hook would be “You’re probably dehydrated right now and don’t even realize it.” That makes me pause because now I’m wondering if it’s true. For apps like Waterllama or Foodllama, humor and relatability matter a lot. Gen Z loves content that feels self aware. A hook like “POV you downloaded a water tracker and now your llama is judging you” feels native to TikTok. It turns the product into a joke we’re in on, not something forcibly being pushed at us. Visual energy helps too. Quick captions, movement, strong eye contact. The hook has to signal that staying will either teach me something useful or make me feel understood. For Gen Z, an irresistible hook is about feeling authentic, creating curiosity fast, and giving real value right away.

Yes, I'm a member of numerous clubs (ex. Deca, Best Buddies, CSF, Tri-M, Amnesty International).

I also hold officer positions in many as well (Ex. Vice President of the California Scholarship Federation, Secretary of Tri-Valley Music Honors Society.)