TEDxWJHS Youth

Speakers

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

• Addy Teeters

  Addy Teeters, a senior at Walter Johnson High School, is focused on environmentalism, especially within youth engagement, animal welfare, and sustainability. She has held leadership roles where she's done this kind of work, such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Program, LCOY USA, the MoCo Green New Deal Internship, and the Student Climate Action Council, promoting environmental change and community action. Addy has led initiatives from policy advocacy to local cleanups to food sustainability programs and food drives. Her passion for this work grew more through Maximo Nivel when she volunteered with a university-run zoo in Cusco, Peru, caring for rescued wildlife and supporting an animal shelter in San Jose, Costa Rica. These experiences shaped her perspective on the personal impacts of environmental challenges and how they impact the globe. Addy uses storytelling from these experiences to inspire others to take meaningful action in their own communities today!

• Arpita Vijay

  Arpita Vijay is a high school sophomore whose talk explores the intersection of immigration, identity, and the psychology behind code-switching. After immigrating from Tamil Nadu to Maryland at age 7, she had to adapt to numerous cultural changes from a young age. Through her work, she highlights the hidden costs of change and advocates for cultural preservation across all spaces. Arpita is dedicated to helping others acknowledge their true selves and share their unique habits, rituals, and histories with the world.

• Kenneth Hom

  Kenneth Hom is a high school sophomore who gave an impactful speech to an audience from all around the world. The speech is meant to promote confidence among those who may be fearful of others judging them, teaching people to accept themselves for who they are. Kenneth lived a normal life as a kid until a very impactful event happened to him, changing the way he saw humanity.

• Kiana Refaat

  Kiana Refaat is a high school sophomore with a passion for storytelling and understanding how small, everyday moments shape who we become. Through her experiences and reflections, she explores the quiet ways people influence one another, often without realizing it. Kiana is dedicated to creating meaningful connections and using her voice to highlight the power of perspective, growth, and human connection. In her TEDx talk, she shares a personal story that reveals how something as simple as a tangerine can hold a much deeper meaning.

• Laranya Mohotti Arachchige

  Laranya Mohotti Arachchige is a sophomore, runner, and creative thinker who enjoys writing, reading, and drawing. She competes in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track and is a member of her school’s South Asian Student Union. In her talk, she examines how academic pressure can negatively impact students and why it’s important to rethink how we define success in school.

• Meher Parsinni

  Meher Parsinni is a Senior in High School planning to pursue Film as a career in the future. In addition to public speaking and filming, Meher spends her time leading numerous organizations at her school: The STEP Team, South Asian Student Union, Philosophy & Film Club, and the student newspaper. Her heritage plays a crucial role in shaping her identity, storytelling, and advocacy, as she uses her voice to speak out against disparities in our world.

• Nathan Menendez

  Determined and curious, young Salvadoran adult. Finding myself through the arts such as photography, music production, drawing, and acting. Figuring out a way to identify myself and overcome my past and limitations from my learning disability, which includes reading and writing, while trying to fit in school, and being bullied for not meeting everyone’s expectations. Growing up in a Hispanic household, not speaking a vital part of my culture crushed my heart. Yet having a passion for success and being someone whom everyone could look up to, knowing that dreams can come true. Mine is fashion design. Seeing ideas in my mind and constantly being around modeling and clothes, my entire life. I found a path to pursue my future career, an outlet to express myself, and a place where I am comfortable, helping others find their direction.

• Zoryan Petrow

  Hi, I’m Zorik. I’m a high school student, a competitive fencer, an avid traveler, and a great cook (or so I’ve heard). I like figuring things out through trial and error, learning a new skill in practice, and fixing something broken, all in an effort to understand why things are the way they are. This time, I decided to try my hand at public speaking, sharing the things I’m drawn to in my field of choice - engineering. Hope you enjoy!