TEDxRansomEvergladesSchool

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Jesus Quintero

  Teacher

  Jesús Quintero is a theatre educator at Ransom Everglades whose work centers on performance as a practice for learning, emotional awareness, and human development. With over a decade of experience designing arts-based educational programs, including work in therapeutic and residential settings, he has used theatre as a vehicle for emotional regulation, reflection, and connection. His teaching draws from global performance traditions and classroom experience alike. The ideas in his TEDx talk stem from years spent working with students, where learning happens through the body, attention, and shared responsibility. Outside the classroom, he continues to study how embodied learning shapes growth.

• Luisa Duarte

  Student

  Raised in a multicultural household, Luisa has spent her life making connections across diverse ideas and values. By visiting her family in Brazil and Colombia, Luisa has strengthened her connection to her culture and grown to love and appreciate it deeply. Luisa realized the importance of connecting with diverse cultures to help break down barriers and foster a more empathetic and inclusive community. Luisa’s passion for making connections has spurred her interest in public speaking and philosophy, and has led her to participate in Speech and Debate and start her club to promote public speaking across the Ransom community.

• Maryam Astorga

  Student

  Coming from a Caribbean household taught Maryam Astorga the importance of culture, history, and remembering where you come from. That background shaped her appreciation for memory and led her to question what is lost when stories, traditions, or moments can be forgotten. This curiosity fuels her passion for journalism, where she seeks to document real experiences and stay present as events unfold. Whether she’s writing, playing lacrosse, or practicing music, Maryam believes attention is how meaning is preserved.

• Matilda Barrack

  Student

  Growing up across London, Australia, Chicago, and Miami has shaped Matilda Barrack into a global thinker with a passion for understanding people, systems, and stories. A competitive horseback rider, debater, and researcher, she is deeply interested in questions of law, ethics, and justice. Through debate, writing, and documentary work, Matilda explores how societies define fairness and resolve conflict. Outside the classroom, she spends her time playing tennis, reading, and spending time with her family. Her diverse interests point to a belief that adaptability, rather than certainty, is what enables growth.

• Olivia Karp

  Student

  Olivia is a student, ocean lover, and mental health advocate who believes deeply in the healing power of nature. Growing up in Florida, she developed a strong connection to the water, which became a source of grounding and renewal in her own life. Through experiences like participating in surf therapy programs with Ukrainian refugees, Olivia has seen firsthand how the ocean can bring people together across cultures and experiences. When she’s not in the water, she’s passionate about storytelling, connection, and finding meaningful ways to support mental well-being.

• Samuel Bussel-Alonso

  Student

  Raised fully bilingual and bicultural, Samuel’s relationship with language has shaped how he understands identity, history, and belonging. As a native speaker of Spanish and English, and a student of French and Portuguese, he sees language not simply as a tool for communication, but as a gateway to culture, empathy, and global citizenship. His passion for history and literature is deeply intertwined with his love of world languages, which allows him to engage with ideas across borders and generations. Whether through reading, thoughtful conversation, or staying informed about the world around him, Samuel approaches language learning as an essential act of connection in an increasingly interconnected world.