The fight between confidence and complacency. And the struggle to find your place in the world First year student studying to be a Social Worker at CSU Monterey Bay. Identifies as queer and wants to help queer kids navigate the world and themselves. 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

What do boba, banh mi, and the beach have in common? For a first-generation Guatemalan and Black woman, they became powerful symbols of self-care. In this talk, she shares how small, intentional acts can help us meet our deepest human needs for joy, nourishment, and connection. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, I’ve transformed my passion for building community into a meaningful career. I inspire students to connect, grow, and uncover their potential. With a rich cultural background and a degree in culinary arts, I love bringing people together especially through food. I thrive on motivating others, leading with purpose, and making every experience unforgettable. When I’m not planning, mentoring, or cheering others on, you’ll find me bowling, painting, or having heart-to-hearts with my plants. 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

First-generation college students tend to be categorized and used as a marketing statistic. This talk dives into a journey of a first-generation college student, using stories from her personal life to portray the message that your past and upbringing will not determine where you will end up in the future. Lilyann is a first generation college student who believes that you can take charge of creating your own story. With a story of her own, she believes that the dreams of first generation students have stories that must be heard. 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

Yuhan Zhang joined multiple social movements such as a sanitary pad sharing box initiative and a women’s educational empowerment through English debate. With a big heart to contribute to societal issues, Yuhan is dismayed by the unsatisfactory results. Until one of the beneficiaries, whose attitude on life was transformed by the movement, thanked Yuhan for what she did, Yuhan realized the often unnoticed influences of social movements and encourages everyone to take part in forging positive change.-Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support student voices! -Comment: Were you utterly transformed by someone else but never expressed your gratitude? -Speaker bio: Yuhan Zhang is an interpreter based in Beijing, specializing in conference and business interpretation. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Northeast Normal University and a master's degree in English interpreting from China Foreign Affairs University. With extensive experience in business negotiations, she has provided interpretation services for leading enterprises such as State Grid and China Logistics. Beyond her professional endeavors, Yuhan is a dedicated advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. Passionate about social progress, she actively engages in initiatives that support women's professional and personal development. 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

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