TEDxBarrington High School Youth

Speakers

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

• Alison Gildemeister

  Alison Gildemeister is an educator, coach, and yoga instructor with over two decades of experience working with young people in schools and movement-based learning environments. She has spent her career helping students navigate growth, pressure, and identity—both inside and outside the classroom—by blending academic rigor with emotional awareness and self-reflection. Drawing on her work in secondary education, athletics, and wellness, Alison is passionate about redefining success for the next generation and teaching students how to listen to themselves as they learn, lead, and adapt. Her work centers on the quiet shifts that help young people build resilience, agency, and a sense of possibility in a rapidly changing world.

• Deven Ramakumar

  Deven Ramakumar is a senior from Barrington, Illinois, who enjoys blending problem-solving with creativity. He began playing guitar at twelve, which helped spark his interest in psychoacoustics, the study of the perception of sound and music. Outside the classroom, Deven participates in Scholastic Bowl and Physics Club and is currently working with the mental health organization BStrong Together on organizing a concert.

• Dr. Justine Rovin

  Dr. Justine S. Rovin is a veteran educator, Post-Doctoral Researcher, and Apple Learning Coach who has spent 16 years at Barrington High School questioning why some feedback "sticks" while most is ignored. A National Board Certified teacher with an Ed.D. from the University of Illinois, her research focuses on the "Relational Dimension" of feedback, the critical bridge between a teacher's words and a student's growth.

• Efe Yagci

  Efe Yagci is a junior at Barrington High School (Class of 2027) from Barrington, Illinois, where he is a strong advocate for geopolitical literacy and political understanding within his school community. With a deep interest in global systems and power structures, Efe challenges his peers to think about how societies are governed and how those systems may change in the future. Efe is an active member of Model United Nations and Thorn's 2024 Youth Innovation Council, among other initiatives.

• Henry Hamel

  Henry Hamel is a Barrington High School Junior (Class of 2027) from Barrington, Illinois, where he participates in numerous clubs along with studying and volunteering. Lead by curiosity, an open mind, and a love of stories and art, Henry is an active member of the BHS Mock Trial Team, Speech Team, and writers block, as well as volunteering at a variety of organizations.

• Jackson Curttright

  Jackson Curttright is a junior at Barrington High School (Class of 2027) from Barrington, Illinois, where he balances academic dedication with a deep commitment to competitive swimming and service-driven leadership. Guided by perseverance, self-reflection, and a passion for giving back, Jackson is an active member of the Youth Advisory Counsil, Dance Marathon, and other philanthropic initiatives, driven by a genuine love for supporting people through difficult times and making a meaningful impact in his community.

• Jonah Khoshabe

  Jonah Khoshabe is a sophomore at Barrington High School (Class of 2028) from South Barrington, Illinois, where he splits his passion between academics, athletics, and the pursuit of meaningful ideas.Guided by curiosity, ambition, toughness, and an uncommon work ethic, he is active in FCA and has been consistently recognized for both his athletic performance and his leadership on and off the field.

• Sana Goyal

  Sana Goyal is a sophomore at Barrington High School (Class of 2028), who is deeply interested in the unseen ways that social media shapes teen mental health. She is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Parents Just Say No, working with 13+ school districts across the nation to educate families and students. In her talk, Sana places center stage raw emotions from those who suffer in silence and those who don't feel heard until it's too late.