Past TEDx event
TEDxSemesta School Youth
Beyond Grades: Rethinking Academic Excellence in a Changing World
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.
Adelard Kenzie Parasian Zazid
Student – Grade 11
Adelard is a student with a strong passion for scientific research and environmental studies. His curiosity goes beyond the laboratory. Instead, Adelard believes that the psychological side of personal growth and the complex nature of learning are essential fields that nourish an analytical mind. Bringing a POV from a student juggling the demands of today's world and is deeply fascinated by the unseen mechanisms that underlie how we think, work, and evolve. As a dedicated learner, seeking opportunities to bridge the gap between academic success and comprehension is a must for him. "Try understanding yourself to be able to understand the world."
Adrista Setiadharma Santoso
Student-Grade 8
Adrista Setiadharma is a bright and curious student with a deep love for math and science. He thrives in academic challenges, often competing in olympiads and contests to test his skills. Beyond his studies, he enjoys hanging out with friends, whether discussing ideas, playing games, or just having fun. With a sharp mind and a friendly personality, Adrista balances his passion for learning with a lively social life, making him both a dedicated scholar and a great friend.
Ahmad Nurani
Principal
Ahmad Nurani is an educator and school leader specializing in strategic development, instructional innovation, and teacher professional development within international and bilingual education contexts. His work focuses on aligning school vision with effective implementation through structured systems, including curriculum design, leadership frameworks, and teacher training models, while his research interests center on Design-Based Research, differentiated learning, character education, and collaborative school culture, with a commitment to developing scalable educational models that enhance student engagement, teacher effectiveness, and sustainable school improvement.
Al Ferish Atthara Atmaja
Students-Grade 6
Al Ferish Atthara Atmaja is a dependable learner who leads and supports his surroundings with care and understanding. He demonstrates maturity in planning and teamwork during group activities. He communicates confidently and effectively in English, making him one of the best speakers at school. Al Ferish has a deep passion for music, enjoying playing various instruments such as the guitar, drums, and keyboard. This creativity reflects his dream of becoming a musician. At the same time, he shows great interest in ICT. His enthusiasm for learning is evident in his achievements, including winning a STEAM competition, aligning with his aspiration to become an engineer in the future. He is also a person who values his family deeply and carries positive attitudes in his daily interactions. With his talents, determination, and well-rounded character, he has great potential to achieve his brighter dream.
Avril Helua
Student-Grade 11
Avril, same name as her mom's favorite singer, Avril Lavinge, is a retired high achieving student who's creative and an ambitious person, reconnecting with her passions ever since she left the physics olympiad team. At a young age, she grew up to be an english speaker Indonesian, making her a bit odd other than her Indonesian peers, though she was introduced to the global perspective a lot earlier than others, thanks to her mom and youtube, even creation the passion to learn languages. Her busy life includes being a member of the student council and the vice-head for the school's journalist team, as well as winning design and english olympics and joined many more competitions and organizations to put out her potential. Even if she wasn't thinking about taking the top majors, she was hoping to create innovation for the world from her hobbies instead, changing the education world for the curriculum to fit the students of today, but as well as the fast changes of technology and AI.
Azzira Himada Indrawan
Student-Grade 8
Ziya is a dedicated student with a deep-seated curiosity about the world’s social and financial landscapes. Driven by an interest in geography and economics, she combines analytical thinking with a global outlook. Her discipline and eloquence are further highlighted by his success as a winner of a Holy Qur’an recitation competition, reflecting a unique balance of academic ambition and spiritual devotion.
Daniel Belayneh
Student-Grade 11
Daniel is a high school student athlete who believes that identity is something you build, not just something you’re given a philosophy he puts into practice by choosing his own name. While most of his time is spent on the basketball court chasing his main goal of a professional career, his focus extends far beyond the game. Driven by the belief that "everything happens for a reason," daniel is passionate about shifting the global perspective from dwelling on the negative to finding the growth in every situation. As an emotionally intelligent and resilient competitor who refuses to back down, he is now stepping off the court to tackle the mental health of students, advocating for a mindset where positivity isn't just a feeling, but a tool for survival and success.
Irvani Dwi Prasanti
Physics Educator
For nearly 16 years at SMA Semesta, I have viewed the world through the precise lens of conceptual physics. To me, a classroom is not just a room of students, but a system of potential energy waiting to be converted into kinetic brilliance. Beyond the whiteboard, I serve as a strategic architect for science project teams, guiding them from raw hypotheses to the podium of national and international success. I believe that the laws governing the universe also govern human potential. I often equate student motivation to Newton’s First Law: a mind at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by an external spark of curiosity. By teaching my students how to gain "educational momentum"—the product of consistent mass (effort) and velocity (direction)—I empower them to overcome the friction of doubt. For me, physics isn’t just a subject; it is the ultimate framework for building a life of purpose and unstoppable force.
Janeeta Raysha Fazila
Student-Grade 8
Janeeta is a passionate and curious mind with a deep love for both the arts and sciences. Known for her creativity and analytical thinking, she has actively pursued her interests through academic and extracurricular achievements. She participated in two Owlypia intellectual competitions, earning a silver medal and a trophy in recognition of her dedication and skill.
Johnson Anyuon Chan Anyar
Student-Grade 10
A dedicated student-athlete who finds his best solutions when the shot clock is winding down, Johnson Anyar lives at the intersection of athletic discipline and future innovation. Whether navigating the high pressure constraints of the basketball court or preparing for a future career in Engineering and IT, he believes that limitations are the ultimate spark for creativity. Driven by a dream to play professional basketball while pioneering new heights in the tech world, Johnson Anyar uses his relentless work ethic to prove that boundaries don’t block progress they define it. Known for his respectful leadership and character first approach, he is on a mission to show how the discipline of a competitor provides the perfect blueprint for solving the world’s most complex problems.
Khoirani Al Munawwaroh Cahyono
Student-Grade 8
Khoirani Al Munawwaroh Cahyono is an 8th grader who loves both numbers and people. While she enjoys solving problems in mathematics, she is equally curious about emotions and the deeper reasons behind how people think and behave. She easily connects with others and values meaningful conversations, often drawn to understanding not just what people feel, but why they feel it. Through her ideas, Rani hopes to encourage a more honest and reflective way of thinking about emotions, growth, and self-awareness, believing that understanding ourselves and what we feel is just as important as understanding the world around us.
Malika Divyanisa Brahmana
Student-Grade 4
Malika Divyanisa Brahmana, also well known as Divy, is an active and attentive student. She has a strong passion for spots like basketball, soccer, and golf. She enjoys every moment on the field and is always eager to improve. Beyond sports, she loves reading adventure stories, where she explores thrilling experiences and creative worlds. A remarkable fact about Divy is she can speak in 2 languages, such as Indonesian and English. She loves learning languages through movies. By watching movies, she improves her vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding. In the future, Divy dreams to be a game developer because she loves something cool. To be a game developer, it could help her to strengthen her intellect about coding. She will help to develop the world with her skills.
Muhammad Shaheen Dhiaulhaq
Student-Grade 9
Shaheen is a Junior High School student who lives his life based on rationality, he views every situation optimistically, but needs to be analyzed pre cautiously before making a move, making sure that he always picks the best outcome. Even though he wants to catch the best opportunity, he still counts his own weaknesses, so he supress them by highlighting his strengths. Even if his weakness is the reason why he lost, he doesn’t see it as “losing”, he saw it as a realization for him to grow even better. And so, he saw speaking for TedX as a stepping stone for him to achieve higher goals.
Nadiela Azalia Mutale
Student-Grade 8
Nadiela is a powerhouse of ambition, a well-rounded student who views every academic challenge and athletic milestone as a chance to redefine the "best of the best." With a sharp wit and a relentless passion for personal growth, she channels the grit of a junior athlete; excelling in tennis to maintain an ironclad focus. She operates on a high-stakes philosophy: "Practice like you've never won; perform like you've never lost." For Nadiela, mediocrity is never an option, and she possesses the rare resolve to believe that "if something is important enough, you do it even when the odds are stacked against you."
Nayyara Bianca Putri Muktiono Soejitno
Student-Grade 8
Bianca is an 8th grader from Semesta Junior High that loves everything about the English language; From movies, books, and also music. She spends her life studying English and will continue to do so. She once was a calm and timid student, but during the 2 years of living in a dorm, meeting new friends and experiencing new things, she’s a kind and confident individual that loves to socialize with people and has a strong sense of reliability. She enjoys drawing, karate and playing the guitar. She once won an International Karate Tournament in 2022, and tries her best to improve all of her passions as well as what she is capable of achieving.
Rafif Galih Wisanggeni
Student-Grade 8
Galih is a junior high Olympiad competitor who once believed that life must be perfect to be right. While his days are spent chasing flawless scores, he has come to realize that social connection cannot be solved with a rigid formula. Now, he is stepping away from his textbooks to trade precision for kindness, learning that the true gold medal lies in the gentleness of togetherness and the growth found in being human.
Rashid Khatbullin
English Language Educator
Originally from Russia, Rashid is an English educator at Semesta Bilingual Boarding School who views language not as a set of rules to be mastered, but as a bridge to be built. Having transitioned from a rigid, "perfection-oriented" Soviet educational background to the fluid, multicultural classrooms of Yogyakarta and Semarang, he has become a passionate advocate for "Communicative Resilience." A prizewinner in the national Festival Handai Indonesia storytelling competition, Rashid practices what he preaches: that true excellence lies in the courage to be misunderstood. By sharing his journey of dismantling his own "Internal Soviet" perfectionism, he empowers students to move beyond the fear of the red pen and find their own brilliant voice in a changing world.
Rizqia Fadanina Afiya
Student-Grade 2
Kia, whose full name is Rizqia Fadanina Afiya, is a cheerful and fun-loving 8-year-old student whose bright personality lights up every room she enters. Once a shy learner who hesitated to speak in English, Kia has grown into a more confident young speaker, showing a beautiful journey of courage and growth. Kia enjoys expressing herself through singing, swimming, and drawing, reflecting her cheerful and creative spirit. She also finds joy in learning, seeing it as a journey filled with both challenges and excitement, where each step helps her grow with confidence and curiosity. At home, Kia is a loving daughter and sister who treasures her family. She enjoys spending time playing with her sibling and sharing joyful moments with her parents. With her story, Kia hopes to inspire others to embrace learning, stay curious, and never be afraid to grow.
Teuku Rafli Fandy Idris
Student-Grade 5
euku Rafli Fandy Idris, better known as Fandy, is a confident and energetic student who enjoys staying active through sports like futsal, basketball, and swimming. He loves challenges and is always motivated to improve his skills both on and off the field. Despite his active lifestyle, Fandy has a calm and composed personality at home. He is known for being obedient, polite, and friendly, creating a positive impression on everyone around him. Fandy dreams big, he aspires to become a president one day. With his strong character, discipline, and determination, he is on a promising path to becoming a future leader who can inspire others and make a difference.
Tsuraya Haura Faridah
Student-Grade 10
I'm a student in grade 10 , and I love discussing topics that not only benefit others but also help me become a better person every day. I'm someone who loves trying new things and especially enjoys watching podcasts. From my personality test, it turns out I'm the kind, strong, and never give up type. I'm drawn to challenging problems that make me think hard to solve them like assembling complex puzzles or Lego sets while talking about how to become a better person or practical life tips that can be applied right away. I want to share my stories and insights so we can all grow together and become more resilient!
Yusuf Abdul Hakam Nafis
Student-Grade 11
Yusuf is a curious soul who finds wonder in the hidden rhythms of biology, especially in how the human body works like a living orchestra. He doesn’t just study science for competitions — though he loves the challenge of olympiads — but also for the joy of asking deeper questions about life itself. For him, knowledge is never complete without conversation; he treasures long, thoughtful talks with friends, believing that ideas grow best when shared. With a dream of becoming an educator, Yusuf sees teaching not as a job but as a way to shape the future, where wisdom and kindness walk hand in hand. He believes that true success lies in balancing sharp intellect with strong social skills, so that learning becomes not only about facts, but about connection, growth, and understanding.
Zayn Maulida Solecha
Student - Grade 7
Zayn Maulida is a 7th grader known for her cheerfulness and always looking to make new friends and connections. When she’s in her free time, you’ll find her watching movies, listening to music and reading books. She is particularly passionate about languages and enjoys challenging herself to become more fluent. She used to be quiet, lazy, and shy at elementary school, but she changed how she used to think, now she has a new personality! Confident, friendly, and study hard every night. She proves that it’s never too late to discover your true potential and change yourself!
