Past TEDx event
TEDxCarnageMagnetMS
This independently organized TEDx event brings the community together to share ideas worth spreading.
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.
Aarna Ranjan
Aarna Ranjan, a seventh grader at Fred J. Carnage Middle School, is the Vice President of Speakers for this year’s TEDx. Now in her third year with TEDx, she has previously served as a Speaker and a member of Speaker Management. Aarna enjoys dance, tennis, and figure skating, and is also active in FBLA and the nonprofit Dedicated to Our Community of NC (DOC NC).
Aasya Daggubati
Hello! My name is Aasya Daggubati and I am a 6th grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School (CMMS). I am a speaker who loves to dance, sing, play table tennis, play chess, and of course, speak! I have been in the speaking business since I was about 7. Not continuously anyway, but more like doing speeches and making up fun stories to present each year at the WE STRIVE public speaking. I know, I know, but everyone has to start somewhere- right? As I grew up a bit, I started to embrace the fact that I LOVED making speeches. Then I became part of my schools TEDx club! I got chosen as one of the speakers after I made my first real official speech- the layers of kindness. And so far, it's great! I met many new people who helped me get to the place I am now!
Aayushi Bhoi
Aayushi Bhoi is a 7th grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School and is a speaker this year in the TEDx Carnage Middle School Club. She has achieved long-standing STEM success, including being part of many Science Olympiad Clubs since Elementary School, a state Biotechnology Bowl win and a regional Science Bee title, and now in seventh grade, she recently made a strong FBLA debut by advancing to the state leadership conference for the event "Personal Finance." Outside of academics, Aayushi is a composed individual who expresses her creativity through vocal lessons and Odissi classical Indian dance. An highly creative person, she approaches every challenge with steady focus and is excited to spend her first year in TEDx as a speaker gaining valuable leadership and public speaking experience!
Adhrita Rentala
Adhrita Rentala is a hardworking and well‑rounded student who enjoys challenging herself academically and exploring new opportunities to grow. She is involved in activities such as the Spelling Bee and FBLA, which allow her to strengthen her communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills, but she is equally committed to developing strong study habits, collaborating with peers, and taking initiative in her learning. Adhrita approaches every task with focus and determination, balancing her academic goals with her extracurricular interests to build a strong foundation for future success.
Adhya Raju
Adhya is a 6th grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School and a speaker this year in the TEDx Club.
Advitha Kakumani
Advitha Kakumani is a sixth-grade student at Carnage Magnet Middle School who loves learning. At this year’s TEDx event, she will be speaking about the layers of failure, and how mistakes aren’t something to fear, but powerful opportunities that help us grow into better versions of ourselves through perseverance. She enjoys drawing, practicing Kuchipudi classical dance, and exploring computer science by building apps that help her community. Advitha is also an emerging leader and hopes her talk inspires others to see failure as an opportunity to learn and succeed.
Agara Karthick
Agara's nice, sarcastic, and loves to joke around a lot. She loves swimming and dancing. She has been dancing a classical indian dance called Bharatanatyam for over 8 years and still enjoys doing it. Agara also loves to read and spell, winning her school spelling bee in 5th grade. She also loves public speaking and watches tons of TEDx videos. She joined Carnage this year for 6th grade and hopes to make many memories in her school journey
Aliya Srivastava
Aliya Srivastava is an 8th grader at Carnage Middle School. In TEDx, her job is in sponsorships and food. She is mainly interested in many different types of science, and some math. She is a member of FBLA, Science Olympiad, and is the president of FFA. Her extracurriculars are Karate, Girl Scouts, and Kathak. She enjoys photography, volunteering, listening to music, and research in her free time.
Anhitha Kakumani
Anhitha Kakumani is an 8th grader at Fred J. Carnage Middle School and the current President of the TEDx Carnage Middle School Club. Passionate about public speaking, leadership, and the arts, she has helped organize events and mentor fellow students. Anhitha also served as Secretary of the FCCLA Club, is a National Finalist in FCCLA and FBLA, and a North Carolina State Topper in FCCLA. She has earned recognition in PMUN, the iCode Hackathon, and interschool oratory competitions, and is a member of the Science Olympiad team. Beyond school, she practices Kuchipudi dance, plays piano, and develops apps for causes like agriculture and education. Dedicated to empowering others, Anhitha hopes to create a positive impact in her community and beyond.
Arjun Sujay Sankar
Arjun Sujay Sankar is an eighth grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School. He has many talents and a passion for helping others. This is his second year at TEDx, and he is excited to be a part of the club again. His hobbies and passions are Taekwondo, Chess, urban planning, and Soccer. He also plays the Trombone in his school Band. He has also competed and won in the Science Olympiad before. He thinks that his skills will be beneficial for this club and is excited for a great experience at TEDx this year.
Avaapya Gautam
I love crocheting, reading, singing. I’m normally very outgoing. I have a pet rabbit. I’m in concert chorus.
Deeksha Yenugula
Deeksha Yenugula is an 8th grader at Fred J. Carnage Middle School who is passionate about public speaking, music, and STEM. She plays piano and flute and is also a Carnatic singer. She is an FBLA National Winner and serves as the First Vice President of her school. She is a member of the Varsity Science Olympiad team and enjoys volunteering in her community. In TEDx, she helps mentor speakers by giving feedback and supporting them in developing their ideas into strong, impactful talks.
Diya Puvvada
Diya is a 7th grader at CMMS and part of the speaker management team in TEDx. She participates in extracurriculars like Girl Scouts & problem solving, and recreational activities like volleyball & badminton. Her passion for trying new things leads her to teach herself most of her hobbies, such as the guitar, piano, and drums. She has a wide range of interests, including forensics, traveling, coding, and music. She is excited to experience and be a part of TEDx this year!
Edna Sabin
Hi, I’m Edna Sabin, and I’m a current student at Carnage Magnet Middle School. I joined TEDx because of my love for public speaking and sharing ideas with others. I am also a member of FBLA, and last year I placed at nationals in a competitive speaking event, which strengthened my confidence and passion for presenting. In addition to speaking, I enjoy singing and performing. I am part of Carnage’s Honors Chorus and participate in several other singing activities. I also love dancing and train in a variety of styles, including Bharatanatyam and hip-hop. One of my favorite things is teaching dance and sharing what I’ve learned with others. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to present my speech at TEDx. Being part of TEDx has helped me grow as a speaker and build meaningful connections, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Eeshan Akuthota
I am a pretty average guy just trying to navigate my life. I do FBLA, TedX, Creative Writing Club, and Theater. I think I am pretty funny at times. I joined TedX to help with speaking skill and convey my thoughts to an audience.
Eeshan Raval
Hello my name is Eeshan Raval. I am a 7th grader at Carnage Middle School. I am a kind, playful, focused, and a great team player. Some of my hobbies are reading, writing, playing cricket, solving rubik's cube, and playing video games. I am passionate about coding robots and making my own websites.
Joshika Balaji
Joshika Balaji is a 6th grader at Fred J. Carnage Middle School, passionate about speaking, music, leadership, and reading. She is a Royal Conservatory of Music State Award Winner in Piano, recognized for her dedication and artistry. A passionate reader with a love for exploring new ideas, Joshika enjoys using her voice, whether through public speaking, performance, or community leadership, to inspire others. She brings curiosity, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose to everything she does, making her a young leader excited to share her perspective on the TEDx stage.
Kautik Roy
Hi, I'm Kautik Roy. I'm an Eight Grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School who is passionate about science, music, and creativity. I love to partake in clubs at Carnage such as FBLA, Science Fair, and more. Some hobbies I have are playing guitar or sketching while at home. I play soccer, swim, and do taekwondo, where I'm a Second Degree Black Belt. Participating in classes in school such as Science Olympiad and doing robotics help me learn to my full potential. I value teamwork and always try my best to listen to the ideas of others. In the future I aspire to travel the world after I finish college and explore all there is to the world. This is my first year in TedX and I'm excited for all it has to offer.
Krish Ozarkar
I am an eighth-grade student who is passionate about leadership, public speaking, and exploring new ideas. I serve as one of my school’s Student Council treasurers and am the Competitive Events Lead on the FBLA executive board, where I have also competed as a national finalist, and am currently working on a community service project for students in Wake County as a part of FBLA. I’m also a member of the Carnage Science Olympiad team, and have won many awards and received recognition in robotics and FLL, science fair, and AMC 8. Outside of academics, I enjoy photography, and I’m excited and determined to make my first year in TEDx a meaningful one.
Krishi Dwivedi
Hi! My name is Krishi Dwivedi, and I’m a 12‑year‑old student with passions that span athletics, the arts, and leadership. I’m a competitive swimmer, and I spent three years participating in Track and Field during elementary school. Outside of sports, I love music — I play both the violin and the piano — and I’m also a dedicated Bollywood dancer. When I’m not training or performing, I enjoy drawing, watching TV, and spending time with my friends. I’m excited to share my voice and experiences on the TEDx stage this year.
Nirvi Dhanapneni
I'm in Creative writing, speech and debate, and FBLA.I like reading baking playing videogames.
Pragya Prasanna
Pragya Prasanna is an eighth grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School. She is the Website & Content Manager of the TEDx team and has a passion for science and writing. She plays guitar, viola, and piano and does swimming, badminton, judo, and knows two other languages. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, and listening to music. Through her volunteer work, as well as the electives she takes and her extracurriculars, she's learned a lot of values and morals over the years, such as perseverance, integrity, and collaboration.
Ruhi Jain
Meet Ruhi Jain, an eighth grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School. For her second year at TEDx, she aims to combine her previous speaking skills with leadership qualities and her passion for public speaking to help guide the speakers to a successful year at the club. She also participates in other clubs like Public Speaking and Debate and Model UN. Outside of TEDx, she enjoys reading books, cooking new recipes, and hanging out with her friends.
Saanvi Kantamneni
Saanvi is a dedicated 6th-grade student at Carnage Magnet Middle School serving as a TEDx Organizer. She has a strong passion for writing and editing, which she uses to bring clarity and creativity to the team's projects. Saanvi is committed to using her communication skills to help local ideas reach a global audience through the TEDx platform.
Sahasrad Pappu
Hi, I love to create new things and do experiments with electronics. In general I like to talk to my friends and hang out with them. In my free time, I like to code things or occasionally play vvideo games. I am currently in the TEDx club, Student Council club and FBLA. I play soccer and love to read books about anime and watch it. I especially like Naruto.
Sanvi Allada
Sanvi is a 8th grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School and a speaker in the TEDx club.
Shivani Thota
I'm passionate in many different kinds of arts. I love music and enjoy both playing and listening to the sweet melodies instruments provide. I love to draw and dance as some of my personal hobbies. Honestly I'm a talkative person and enjoy being around crowds.
Shreyansh Pinninti
Shreyansh Pinninti is a dedicated 8th grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School. He is a student who has many interests and a strong drive to succeed. This is his first year interested in TEDx, and he is very excited to join the club to explore new ideas and get a good experience as a Speaker. He has many hobbies that include practicing martial arts(taekwondo), running track, and participating in FBLA in 6th grade. He also got the Pride Award at school for his character and determination. He is ready to contribute his skills to the team and looks forward to being part of TedX.
Shreyas Sudarshan
Hi, my name is Shreyas Sudarshan, and I am a 6th grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School. I am hard-working, kind, and outgoing, and I enjoy learning about science and math. In my free time, I like to play badminton, chess, and practice new songs on the piano! I am on the Mathcounts team, and am passionate about problem solving, competing, and learning new math concepts. I value TedX because it allows me to collaborate with others, and gain more knowledge about professional skills.
Shriya Kumaravel
Hi! My name is Shriya Kumaravel, and I am 6th grader who is a strong leader and connector. I always available to help people out in the hard times, or just to communicate. I am a speaker in the TEDx club and I am currently in FBLA. I am also participating in the Spelling Bee, and the Science Fair. If you ever need a quick chat with a friend, you can always count on me!
Shruti L Kesav
Shruti L Kesav is a 6th grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School who loves helping people and has a strong passion for pets. She hopes to save as many animals as possible in her lifetime and enjoys advocating for animal rescues while spreading kindness, which inspires her TEDx talks. She grew up surrounded by rescue animals, and their personalities and kindness continue to inspire her every day. In her free time, Shruti enjoys playing volleyball and baking.
Soumil Choudhury
Soumil is in 7th grade at Carnage Magnet Middle School. He is a photographer in the TEDx club at Carnage Middle School. He enjoys playing video games, playing instruments, and badminton.
Srivatsa Vadlamani
I am the sole 2024 FBLA Marketing Mix Challenge National Champion, winning FBLA nationals as a 6th grader. In addition to that, I have placed 2nd at the 2026 NC FBLA State Leadership Conference for Community Service Presentation and 3rd for Exploring Marketing Concepts. For the Community Service Presentation, my team and I created an academic foundation for around 300 economically disadvantaged elementary school students through our Bright Beginnings Bundles program. I am also a Community Service Lead on Carnage FBLA’s Executive Board. I have also participated in a few Model United Nations conferences and been awarded Outstanding Delegate at two of them. I qualified and participated in the 2025 NC First Lego League State Tournament. I play the Alto Saxophone in Carnage’s Symphonic Band and made it into the 2026 NCECDBA All District Band. Additionally, I am a former NJHS member. My hobbies include drumset, stargazing, and biking.
Swaroopa Nikam
Swaroopa Nikam is a curious and creative eighth grader at Carnage Magnet Middle School. She has dedicated over ten years to mastering Kathak, earning several classical dance certifications. Swaroopa is also a passionate musician, playing the bansuri along with flute in her school band. Fascinated by the brain and the science of how we think, learn, and create, she bridges arts and science with focus and determination. Through her hard work, resilience, and dedication, Swaroopa strives to inspire others and make a meaningful impact.
Thanaya Takkallapelli
Thanaya Takkallapelli is a seventh grader at Carnage Magnet middle school passionate about speaking, leadership, dance, and singing. She currently serves as Vice President in TEDx, and she hopes to engage with fellow students and continue learning about herself and others. She runs a YouTube channel with her sister, which has grown to nearly seven million subscribers, and highlights her creativity through dance. She values teamwork and being enthusiastic about everything she does. She has been accepted in Carnage's Honors Chorus, where she grows her vocal skills day to day; and singing is one of her hobbies. This is her second year in TEDx; last year, she contributed as a speaker, gaining valuable experience in leadership, communication, and memorization. This year, as Vice President, Thanaya looks forward to bringing new ideas to the team and supporting TEDx's mission with creativity and enthusiasm.
