Finding community in competitive spaces | Sydney Yee & Dylan Yee | TEDxOlentangy Liberty Youth
Sydney and Dylan explore how authentic community engagement can transform individual confidence and connection. Drawing from their experiences in the Ninja Warrior and Scouting worlds, they share how support from others helped them overcome fear and grow. Their story highlights the importance of uplifting voices, even in competitive spaces. They challenge the audience to bring that same spirit of encouragement into every community they’re part of. Sydney Yee is a junior at Olentangy Liberty High School. She is a member of Liberty’s Choraliers concert choir and competes as a hurdler and sprinter on the track team. In addition to her studies at OLHS, she attends Olentangy STEM Academy, where she is currently enrolled in the Biomedical pathway. Outside of school, Sydney is involved in Scouting America (formerly known as Boy Scouts of America), where she is a Life Scout. She is also an American Ninja Warrior athlete, training at Movement Lab Ohio, and has competed in seasons 15, 16, and 17. With her numerous extracurricular activities, she understands the importance of a community and its impact on a person.Dylan Yee is a sophomore at Olentangy Liberty High School. He is a member of Liberty’s Advanced Select Choir and Sinfonia Orchestra. He also competes as a cross country runner and a distance runner on the track team. Outside of school, Dylan is actively involved in Scouting America (formerly known as Boy Scouts of America) and holds the rank of Life Scout. He is also an American Ninja Warrior athlete, training at Movement Lab Ohio, and has competed in season 17 of the show and season 3 on American Ninja Warrior Junior. 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
More from TED
- 16:09Reflection in fiction: How fiction shapes us and our realities | Aldea Martillano | TEDxMHPNHS YouthIn her talk, “Our Reflections in Fiction: How Fiction Shapes Us and Our Realities,” Aldea invites us to explore how pages of a book or frames of a movie can mirror our lives. Fiction, no matter how unreal, holds truths that help us reflect on who we are and inspire us to envision better realities in life. A passionate debater and storyteller, and a proud Humanista she is, Aldea Rhae Martillano is a burst of enthusiasm whenever she shares her insights as a lively lover of stories. A junior high school graduate at Bulacan State University and now a Humanities and Social Sciences student at Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School, Aldea is always captivated with how fiction is so closer to us than we think it is. 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
- 9:55How To Escape Prison: Breaking Free from Unhealthy Patterns | Chloe Bautista | TEDxMHPNHS YouthIn her talk, “How To Escape Prison: Breaking Free from the Chains of Unhealthy Patterns,” Chloe will explore ways to escape from the chains of laziness, procrastination, and disorientation—essentially staging a jailbreak from the confines of our own minds. A Senior High School student at Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School and the current President of the Ex Libris Library Volunteers, an organization dedicated to nurturing love for reading, critical thinking, and service among students. With a deep understanding of the silent struggles many young people face, Chloe inspires her fellow youth to take a closer look at their own habits and choices.She encourages them to break away from limiting patterns and to take deliberate steps toward building healthier, more fulfilling lives. Chloe believes that meaningful change begins with self-awareness, and that through consistent effort, individuals can regain control over their actions and decisions 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
- 7:56The Odyssey: A Journey of the Human Soul | Wynona Rylley Mananquil | TEDxMHPNHS YouthIn her talk, “The Odyssey: A Journey of the Human Soul,” Wynona reflects on how Homer’s “The Odyssey” mirrors universal human challenges and resilience—emphasizing that in every crisis the hero faces, wisdom, resourcefulness, and endurance ultimately prevail, reminiscent of our shared experiences in life. Wynona Rylley P. Mananquil is a Grade 9 student under the Science, Technology, and Engineering program, where she excels in the subjects that challenge her curiosity and problem-solving abilities. Passionate about Greek mythology, Wynona finds inspiration in the timeless stories of gods, heroes, and mythological creatures, which have shaped her understanding of history, culture, and human nature. Alongside this, she has a deep love for music, using it as a means of expression and a way to connect with her emotions and the world 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
- 11:04‘Di Kwentong Barbero; Kwentong Babae: Saksi ng Men-ananggal | Brianah Dela Cruz | TEDxMHPNHS YouthIn her talk, Brianah will challenge the stigma surrounding menstruation, advocating the need for open and honest conversations about this natural biological process. She aspires to redefine the narrative by celebrating menstruation as a symbol of strength, resilience, and an essential aspect of womanhood. Brianah Cailey C. Dela Cruz is a Grade 11 student under the Humanities and Social Sciences strand at Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School. She currently serves as the Creative Head of the Media Bureau, where she leads in crafting impactful media content, and as the External Vice President of Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD), a youth organization that advocates for a drug-free and empowered community.Guided by her passion for social justice and her belief in the importance of amplifying women's voices, Brianah strives to use her platform to promote gender equality and advocate for women's rights. 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
- 11:21Why Books Matter More Than Ever | Stacey Allison Vincecruz | TEDxMHPNHS YouthIn her talk, she will explore the timeless relevance of books in the digital age, sharing how their pages hold the stories, voices, and knowledge that we’ve collected throughout centuries, and learn how books and libraries can lead you to various journeys, from new worlds to even self-improvement. Stacey Allison S. Vincecruz, a tenth-grade student in the Science, Technology, and Engineering program at Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School, has cultivated a deep love for literature since being introduced to its transformative world. Guided by her passion for books, Allison aspires to inspire others to embrace reading as a gateway to discovery and personal growth. 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
- 13:44Up High & Down Low: The Seesaw of Perspective | Pazeana Isabelle Sales | TEDxMHPNHS YouthIn her talk, “Up High & Down Low: The Seesaw of Perspective,” Zeana will explore the challenges of balancing life’s extremes, sharing insights from her own experiences on navigating highs and lows while discovering growth in the process. She will reflect on how, as children, we experience the carefree seesaw of life, but as we grow older, we encounter the life's seesaw of perspective, filled with extreme highs and lows, each accompanied by its own set of conflicts. Pazeana Isabelle “Zeana” Sales is a Humanities and Social Sciences student, driven by her love for learning and a passion for public speaking. Throughout her academic journey, Zeana has continuously honed her skills in debating, declamation, and impromptu speaking, using these platforms to refine her ability to communicate effectively. These experiences have not only developed her skills but also shaped her confidence in engaging with meaningful discussions and advocating for causes she strongly believes in. 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