8th grader Rocky Yang delivers a talk about one of the hardest balances in life: fitting in without losing yourself. Through personal stories about musical theater, music creation, and LEGO masterpieces, he reveals: -Why we wear "masks" in groups -How personal passions enrich communities -The pizza theory of individuality (yes, pineapple gets a mention!) -Practical ways to belong and stay true to yourselfPerfect for: -Teens going through social pressures -Educators attempting to build inclusive spaces -Anyone who’s ever felt "too different" or "not enough"-Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support volunteering! -Comment: What's one small act of kindness you've done this week? -Speaker bio: Rocky Yang is a student at Beijing SMIC Private School, the president of the debate club, and an active member of the student council. He was previously part of the Musical Theater Club (MTC) and is a guitar player in the school’s student-organized rock band. Rocky has participated in numerous NHSDLC debate competitions, making it to the octo-finals 3 times. He has a deep love for English, particularly literature and creative writing, and enjoys expressing himself through poetry and storytelling. On top of that, Rocky has a deep passion for guitar, dedicating much of his time to mastering the instrument and exploring different styles of music. He is also skilled at playing the drums, adding versatility to his musical talents. He enjoys traveling, drawing inspiration from different cultures for his creative pursuits. Rocky aspires to combine his love for language, leadership, and performance into a future career in international communications or entertainment. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Marco Su, a student entrepreneur currently studying business at UC Irvine, shares his firsthand experience on why and how to build startups as a college student. He identified 4 key components of success—selecting a project, understanding the market, clarifying goals, and focusing on execution—and illustrates with vivid personal anecdotes. Finally, he encourages more college students to embark on the journey of entrepreneurship to create more positive changes in the world. -Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support student voices! -Comment: What other factors do you think are key to successful startups? -Speaker bio: Marco is a senior at UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business, Western U.S. Market Operations Officer at EasyTransfer, founder of Snowball AI, and co-founder of the 2% College Entrepreneurs Alliance and Chinese Art & Design Students Association. His focus lies in the commercial application of AI technology, youth education, and student entrepreneurship. Marco founded Snowball AI, which integrates generative AI with youth education. It is supported by Amazon Web Services and Apple China and is recognized in Beijing's 2024 University Innovation Program. Another of his initiatives, the 2% College Entrepreneurs Alliance, empowers students to launch viable projects through weekly sessions, mentorship, and collaborations with industry-leading organizations like Wteam. CADSA, an affiliation of the 2% CEA, is an NGO aiming to provide Chinese international students with useful information and resources to support their journey overseas. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The project assistant manager of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Yingxuan Chen shares her ideas and views on volunteer service. She reflects on her own experiences and challenges as she talks about how to find one’s vision and motivation, encouraging everyone to join her in seeking volunteerism, since she believes that small acts of kindness can be catalysts for much greater events and ultimately contribute to a better future for everyone. -Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support student voices! -Comment: What is the most attractive part of volunteering for you? -Speaker bio: Kelly Chen is the founder of the Microcosmos Volunteer Community. With a decade of extensive volunteering experience, she has developed two online databases and shared over 2,500 resources and opportunities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on social media platforms since April 2019. In May 2022, she joined the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as a Programme Assistant. Before this role, she served as a Youth Community Engagement Assistant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she conducted workshops to promote SDGs among hundreds of youths through the Movers Programme. Kelly is also a member of the Global Shapers Community and a fellow of the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform. As an experienced event organizer and passionate project manager, she has launched multiple youth initiatives and provided professional support to several non-governmental organizations and social enterprises in China. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Chong He, a 2008 Olympic Champion in men’s diving, shares his reflections on success through the ups and downs of his legendary diving career. Starting with humble beginnings, then reaching his career’s pinnacle in 2008, and suffering a narrow defeat in London 2012, he highlights the fulfillment from the process, which is what defines a person, rather than the outcome (medal, GPA, salary, or otherwise). A must-watch for sports enthusiasts and hard-working individuals needing inspiration in chasing their dreams! -Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share! -Comment: What does success mean to you? How do you overcome agonizing defeats? -Speaker bio: He Chong is a retired Chinese professional diving athlete and Olympic champion. Renowned for his prowess in the 3-meter springboard, he won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. He is also a 6-time world champion and 3-time Asian Games gold medalist. He Chong played a key role in China's dominance in diving. His dedication and achievements continue to inspire future generations of athletes. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Fairy Ren, a junior at Beijing SMIC High School and their current Student Council President, takes the TEDx stage to share her personal guide to making the most of high school. Drawing from her experiences as a member of the volleyball team and student leader, she presents the audience with advice on building connections and embracing the vibrant opportunities these high school years would bring. A must-watch for students seeking inspiration to going through high school with confidence and joy! -Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support student voices! -Comment: If you’re an adult watching this, what’s your #1 high school survival tip? -Speaker bio: YiLin Ren is a dynamic high school student at SMIC High School, where she balances her roles as Student Council President, varsity volleyball player, and passionate scholar. With a love for math, finance, and linguistics, she finds joy in the logic of numbers, the thrill of the stock market, and the intricacies of language. As a natural leader, YiLin thrives on bringing people together, maximizing individual strengths, and turning plans into action. Off the court and out of the classroom, she channels her energy into volleyball, a sport she loves with all her heart. YiLin’s enthusiasm for leadership, teamwork, and learning drives her to make meaningful connections and inspire those around her. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

This powerful TEDx talk explores how social media feeds our obsession with perfection—and how it quietly steals our time, confidence, and joy. Through personal experience, the speaker reveals how endless scrolling led to self-doubt and burnout, until they finally said: enough.Instead of quitting social media, they found 5 simple mindset shifts to break the cycle—like replacing doom scrolling with creativity, starting the day offline, and using comparison as fuel, not failure.The talk is a reminder that we don’t need to live flawless lives—we need to live real ones. Analia is currently a junior at SCCS. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx