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
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