Past TEDx event
TEDxLycée National Choueifat Youth
The Human Journey
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.
Abbas Tarhini
Student
Abbas Tarhini is a creative and driven individual who thrives on turning ideas into reality. Passionate about sports, robotics, reading, writing, and many other pursuits, he embraces challenges with determination and refuses to let obstacles stand in his way. He is disciplined, responsible, and committed to doing things properly, approaching every task with focus and attention to detail. Beyond his interests and achievements, Abbas is a caring and compassionate person who values those around him. He consistently checks in on his friends, family, and community, always striving to make a positive difference. Whether solving a problem, taking on a responsibility, or helping someone in need, Abbas is someone others can rely on. His creativity, confidence, resilience, and kindness define the way he approaches life and every opportunity that comes his way.
Celine Fahes
Student
Celine Fahes is a dedicated and disciplined 11th-grade student at Lycée National Schools, driven by an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and service. Throughout her studies, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance while earning distinction in athletics and public speaking. Her formative experience in Model United Nations significantly refined her critical thinking, persuasive communication, and diplomatic negotiation skills, establishing a strong foundation for future leadership. Aspiring to pursue a career in medicine, Celine aims to positively transform patient care and advance human health. Grounded in humility, resilience, and self-discipline, her personal philosophy centers on continuous self-evolution and expanding her potential. Motivated by a deep commitment to honor her family, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact, Celine is dedicated to leaving an enduring, positive legacy on society.
Elena Mehio
Student
Elena Mehio is an ambitious and driven student at Lycée National School, entering her sophomore year. An aspiring cosmetic dentist, she is passionate about aesthetics, creativity, and the connection between science and beauty. Having danced throughout her life, Elena has developed a strong relationship with performance and gained valuable experience on stage. These experiences have helped her build confidence and discipline. Beyond academics and the arts, Elena is deeply interested in personal growth and in understanding what motivates people to improve themselves. She is curious about the balance between ambition and self-acceptance. Through her TEDx talk on perfectionism, Elena explores the pressure to constantly achieve and meet impossible standards. She hopes to encourage others to recognize that striving for excellence does not have to mean striving for perfection, and that confidence can grow through progress and authenticity. She hopes her message resonates with young audiences.
Hisham Ghoul
Student
Hisham Ghoul is a 16-year-old Lebanese content creator, entrepreneur, and, now a TEDx speaker. After his family lost everything they had in the war on Lebanon, Hisham began his journey to reach financial freedom and family stability. With a strong passion for business, he has taken multiple business courses, launched his own business and several side hustles, worked as a marketing director for a 100,000 follower business, multiple time MUN winner, and works as an SAT tutor. He also creates self-growth content on social media, encouraging others to grow and start their own journeys. Behind all the projects, ideas, and probably too many plans is one goal: to succeed, give back to his parents, and build a future worth working for.
Ibrahim Ibrahim
Student
Ibrahim is a curious, confident, and creative teenager who enjoys meeting new people, expressing his ideas, and discovering different perspectives. He plays the piano and enjoys public speaking, where he feels comfortable sharing his thoughts with an audience. He also has a talent for clever puns, which often find their way into conversations. Ibrahim is known for being a strong debater—and according to his family, no one has ever actually won an argument with him. He is responsible and determined to make the most of his teenage years, while still enjoying being a kid and keeping his playful side alive. One of his biggest dreams is to have a dog, although his dad has made it very clear that the answer is “no.” Ibrahim, however, remains optimistic… and is clearly not giving up on that argument anytime soon.
Lynn Dara
Student
Lynn Dara is an ambitious entrepreneur, public speaker, and creative thinker with a passion for leadership, communication, and innovation. She has explored diverse fields, including medicine,photography, and technology, driven by her desire to make a meaningful impact. As a young business owner, Lynn has built her own business from the ground up, gaining experience in entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, and leadership. She has also participated in Model United Nations conferences globally, expanding her perspective and strengthening her communication skills. Known for her creativity, confidence, and determination, Lynn continuously seeks new challenges and opportunities to grow. Her goal is to build successful businesses, inspire others, and create an international impact.
Mahmoud El Haj Diab
Student
Mahmoud is a 14-year-old student from Lebanon who studies at Lycée National. He is a friendly and ambitious person who always tries to improve himself and become a better version of who he is. Football is Mahmoud’s favorite sport and one of his biggest hobbies. In his free time, he enjoys watching football because it helps him relax, improves his mood, and makes him feel happy and excited. He truly enjoys everything about the sport and loves following football matches. At school, Mahmoud’s favorite subject is Arabic, a subject he finds interesting and enjoyable. In the future, his main goal is to become a lawyer. He is determined to work hard, develop his skills, and keep improving himself so that he can achieve his dreams.
Malika Youssef
student
Malika is a 14-year-old student at Lycée National in Grade 8. She is a shy, kind, loyal, and determined person who enjoys discovering new things and challenging herself. Her interests include public speaking, drawing, and reading. She is especially passionate about improving herself and gaining new experiences. Over the years, she has worked hard to develop both academically and personally, and she is proud of the progress she has made. Malika hopes to continue growing into a confident and successful person and, in the future, pursue an important career where she can make a positive impact.
Maryam Kaheel
Student
Based in Lebanon, Maryam Kaheel ,a 17 years old creative and curious individual driven by a deep love for continuous learning and discovery. Known for a vibrant sense of humor, a positive outlook, and a kind nature, she brings warmth and energy to everything she does. Balancing a sensitive and reflective spirit with a dynamic approach to life, Maryam thrives on crafts creativity and problem solving. Whether she is sketching, playing the piano by ear, or accurately piecing together complex LEGO and puzzles, she has a natural appreciation for detail and design. An animal lover with an ever expanding curiosity, she is constantly exploring new hobbies and seeking out interesting subjects to master.
Maya Sibaii
Student
Maya Sibaii is a 15-year-old ambitious, hardworking, and compassionate student who believes nothing is impossible and always aims higher. She is a high-achieving student who values academic excellence while pursuing her many passions. Maya is athletic and enjoys a wide variety of sports, while also loving public speaking, communication, and debating. She has earned recognition and wins in public speaking and developed strong communication and confidence skills. Her curiosity has led her to create and publish websites, combining technology, creativity, and problem-solving. Above all, Maya believes her personality matters more than her achievements. She genuinely loves helping others, supporting those in need, and making people feel valued. She strives to be kind, positive, and someone others can rely on. Always eager to grow, Maya sees every achievement as motivation to dream bigger, work harder, and become the best version of herself.
Naya Yamout
Student
Naya Yamout is an ambitious student with a strong passion for science, technology, and innovation. Her dream is to combine the tools created by humanity with the theories that help us understand the workings of the universe in order to invent cutting-edge technologies that will positively impact societies. But beyond the sciences, Naya is also highly interested in theater and the art of filmmaking and storytelling. She views books and cinema not simply as means of entertainment, but as authentic forms of art that have the ability to shape our beliefs and alter the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us. She additionally finds joy in learning new languages in an effort to connect with people from all around the world, because each language holds the weight of its country's history and offers a new way of exploring the human journey.
Oday Khodor
Student
Oday Khodor is a 13-year-old Grade 8 student whose curiosity, determination, and love of learning inspire him to explore beyond the classroom. Passionate about science, he also enjoys playing the darbuka, riding ATVs, and playing football—interests that have helped him develop creativity, confidence, and a broader perspective on life. Oday believes that young people have valuable ideas and that their voices deserve to be heard. His journey has taught him the importance of perseverance, empathy, responsibility, and believing in oneself when facing challenges. TEDx represents an opportunity for Oday to step beyond his comfort zone, share a message that matters to him, and connect with different perspectives. Through his talk, he hopes to inspire other young people to trust their abilities, think differently, and realize that meaningful change can begin with one idea and the courage to share it.
Perla Hussameldine
Student
Perla Issam Hussamelddine is a Lebanese student from Niha, Mount Lebanon, born on June 5, 2013. Having completed Grade 7, she is preparing to enter Grade 8, with academic interests in Arabic and Biology. Her interests include cooking, hiking, Arabic literature, creative writing, swimming, and football. At 12, she began learning to drive. Perla aspires to study medicine and specialize in cardiology, particularly cardiac surgery, while also becoming a published author. Driven by ambition, resilience, and curiosity, she is committed to academic excellence, personal growth, and intellectual development. She believes kindness is a cycle: sincere kindness can inspire compassion, strengthen connections, and create a lasting ripple of positivity.
Reina Ibrahim
student
Reina Ibrahim is a 14-year-old high-achieving student, Scout, and patrol leader who is passionate about learning, leadership, and personal growth. Throughout her academic and Scouting journey, she has consistently challenged herself, achieved strong academic results, and earned recognition through various accomplishments and competitions. As a young leader, she has developed a love for teamwork, taking responsibility, and inspiring those around her. Beyond her achievements, Reina is curious about people, ideas, and the experiences that shape us. She enjoys stepping outside her comfort zone, embracing new challenges, and continuously finding ways to grow. She hopes to use every experience as an opportunity to learn, connect with others, and make a positive impact.
Sadek Samhat
Student
Sadek Ali Samhat is a hardworking and ambitious person who always aims to achieve high positions and excellent grades. He is motivated by success and constantly works to improve his knowledge and skills. He enjoys setting challenging goals for himself and doing his best to reach them. In the future, Sadek hopes to become a successful engineer. He is interested in technology, innovation, and creating solutions that can make people's lives better. With his determination, ambition, and strong work ethic, he believes he can build a bright future and achieve his goals.
Serene Emad
Student
Serene Emad is a driven high school student with a deep fascination for human nature, behavioral dynamics, and the hidden mechanics of how people think and interact. Naturally outgoing and energized by connecting with others, she thrives on building meaningful relationships and bringing diverse perspectives together. Serene transformed her personal growth journey by confronting and overcoming a deep seated fear of public speaking turning a once intimidating challenge into one of her strongest assets for communication and leadership. With her blend of empathetic insight, strong communication skills, and genuine enthusiasm for community, Serene approaches every new environment eager to collaborate, listen, and make a positive impact.
Yara El Naccache
Student
Yara El Naccache is a bright, confident, and socially engaged 15-year-old from Beirut, Lebanon. A dedicated Grade 9 student, she achieved excellent academic results in her school report card. She has also attended the AUBMUN conference, where she developed her communication, critical-thinking, and public-speaking skills. Beyond academics, Yara is known for her positive energy, outgoing personality, and ability to connect easily with others. She is always eager to learn new skills and challenge herself to grow. She especially loves summer days by the beach and values the love and support of her family. With her curiosity, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective, Yara represents the voice and ideas of today's younger generation and is eager to share her perspective with a wider audience.
Yara Sadek
Student
Yara Sadek is a 16-year-old girl who has spent her entire life in Lebanon. Growing up here has shaped the way she sees the world and inspired her to think deeply about the kind of impact she wants to leave behind. Even at her age, she has realized that her ultimate goal is to leave this place better than she found it. This is why she loves sharing her passions, ideas, and stories with others in hopes of inspiring them. Through everything she does, Yara hopes to connect with others, learn from them, and contribute in whatever way she can to becoming a better version of herself and creating a brighter future.
Yasmin Itani
Student
Yasmin is a determined, curious, and open-minded student who enjoys stepping outside her comfort zone and experiencing new things. She is someone who puts a lot of effort into the things she truly wants and does not easily give up. She enjoys discovering new places and making meaningful memories with the people close to her. Yasmin is interested in the world of business and hopes to build a future she can be proud of. She also enjoys analyzing situations, understanding how things work, and looking at things from different perspectives. She believes that success is not only about reaching a goal, but also about looking back and knowing that the effort, time, and hard work were worth it. She wants to make the most of every opportunity and see how far her determination can take her.
Zahraa Hakim
Student
Zahraa is a high school student who has never been satisfied with simply looking at the world; she wants to understand it, question it, and leave it changed. Her curiosity has led her through physics, philosophy, history, and poetry, but her greatest interest is the endless process of becoming. A reader, writer, speaker, and lifelong learner, she seeks experiences that challenge her, stretch her beyond what she knows, and shape who she is becoming. Through several academic programs, creative pursuits, and every opportunity to step beyond the familiar, Zahraa is learning to turn curiosity into action. She dreams of a life shaped by curiosity, purpose, and discovery, believing that who we become is written in the questions we dare to ask, the experiences we choose to embrace, and the courage to keep changing. Also, she hopes to make the world a little better than she found it, leaving behind a fingerprint, a thought, a spark, that continues long after she is gone.

