Growing up, back-to-school shopping was always an exciting time. I used to go to Staples and get all my school supplies. Gel pens, pencils, erasers, spacemakers and of course, Hilroy® notebooks in every colour they came in. Red, blue and black for all different subjects—science, English, French—I would colour in the trademark Hilroy® logo with my fluorescent gel pens to distinguish my notebooks with ease.

The Hilroy® brand celebrating a century of success also marks the end of an era. The digital world has overtaken the primary purpose of paper with word processing and emails. Are the days of paper airplanes and passing notes in class gone for good?

As someone who has finally completed her studies, I put my pen to paper in a more creative way.  I use paper when I want my pen to move where my cursor cannot. I rely on paper to express myself creatively, whether it’s drawing or writing music—the act of creating feels more defined when I write on paper instead of on my iPad.

Will the next generation of youth still write their notes in a Hilroy notebook? I wonder if my son will grow up writing on paper or an iPad. Hilroy® strives to bridge the gap between paper and the digital world with a social media challenge.

 Hilroy celebrates their 100 year anniversary with the #hilroy100challenge.

Launched by top Canadian influencers like Torri Webster, the challenge is to share a photo of your doodles on social media with hashtag #Hilroy100Challenge and tag a friend to do the same. With every challenge completed, Hilroy will donate a notebook to a child in need.

Torontonians can engage in the festivities by posing with Hilroy®’s installation art in the heart of the distillery district. Painted by prominent street artist, Arturo Parada, the installation depicts the endless creative potential of blank paper and pen.

To kickoff the campaign, Hilroy® had an anniversary party at Airship37. Hosted by 6ix dad Norm Kelly, he pointed out how the Hilroy® brand still emanates the understated cool kid vibe–how hipster to be writing in a Hilroy® notebook. Am I right?

Back To School Essentials

Emoji stack lunch bag, $13.97 at Walmart, Flamingo and Pineapple Fashion Notebook, $4.96 at Staples, Mermaid Fashion Notebook, $2.47 at Walmart.

Students can embrace back to school shopping with a stylish emoji lunch bag and new notebook styles from Hilroy. Write on!

Hilroy 80 page ruled notebook, $2.50 each at Walmart