TEDxKennedy High

Speakers

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

• Connor Osilla

  Oxford Academy Student

  Connor shares practical insights on building confidence from within. He emphasizes mindset shifts, body language, and overcoming self-doubt to help individuals “stand tall” in any situation.

• Elias Varkey

  Cypress High Student

  Elias Varkey addresses the challenges that are limiting innovation in today’s world. He discusses how fear of failure, lack of creativity, and systemic pressures can prevent new ideas from emerging. Elias encourages his generation to think differently, take risks, and push beyond conventional boundaries.

• Josh Marinas

  Cypress High Student

  Josh Marinas explores how a generation that deeply cares about social issues can still struggle to translate awareness into organized, dependable service. Drawing from his work founding Curacub, a pediatric cancer support initiative, he reflects on the difference between visibility and real community impact, and argues that while social media can spark concern, lasting change still depends on empathy, structure, and people who keep showing up.

• Mahin Vyas

  Kennedy High Student

  Mahin reflects on the people, experiences, and environments that shape who we become. The talk explores how influences, both positive and negative, play a critical role in personal growth and identity formation.

• Nathan Truong

  Oxford Academy Student

  Nathan uncovers the hidden environmental cost behind everyday clothing, especially something as simple as a polo shirt. He explores how massive amounts of water are used in the production process and connects this to larger environmental issues like resource depletion and sustainability. His talk challenges the audience to rethink their daily habits and recognize the potential environmental costs behind everything we interact with in our lives.

• Niha Goel

  Oxford Academy Student

  Niha Goel explores how your environment, especially access to resources like healthcare, food, and community spaces shapes your opportunities in life. Niha challenges the audience to recognize that we have the responsibility to acknowledge these gaps and take action to create more equal access for communities who might live in certain areas.

• Shourya Charuasia

  Cypress High Student

  Shourya Chaurasia explores how everyday actions and repeated experiences play a significant role in shaping who we become. He explains that even the smallest habits, when repeated over time, can influence our mindset, behavior, and long-term outcomes. By highlighting the cumulative effect of these moments, Shourya encourages the audience to be more intentional with their daily choices. His talk emphasizes that growth and change often come from consistency rather than single, defining events.

• Theodore Vang

  Oxford Academy Student

  Theodore dives into the surprising impact of something as simple as a smile. He explains how positivity and small gestures can transform interactions, boost confidence, and leave lasting impressions in both personal and professional settings.

• Zoey Khum

  Kennedy High Student

  Zoey explores how artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping our decisions, from what we watch to how we think. She questions whether we truly have control over our lives, or if algorithms quietly guide our choices. Her talk encourages the audience to become more aware of AI’s influence and to take intentional steps toward reclaiming personal agency in a tech-driven world.