What if the rituals and beliefs you inherited were merely tools in your personal toolkit—ready to be borrowed, adapted, or set aside on your journey toward connection? My journey with religion—from inherited Hindu rituals to immersive Buddhist practice, Catholic teachings, and ultimately atheism—taught me that faith isn’t about dogma or labels, but about the universal human need for vulnerability, hope, and connection. By embracing “faith neutrality,” we can draw wisdom from any tradition to cultivate empathy and unity that transcends creed. Riyana Goel is a junior at St Francis. She is passionate about leadership, especially in regards to mental health advocacy in her community. She founded a global mindfulness nonprofit 5 years ago called Apart But Not Alone and has also worked on the City of Cupertino's Youth Activity Board for three years. Apart from TEDx at school, she writes for The Lancer and is a tutor for the California Scholarship Federation. Riyana is a strong advocate for diversity within ideas, so she was compelled to speak about the lack of conversations regarding religious diversity. 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 if the wonder you once felt as a child never actually disappeared--it's just waiting for you to rediscover it? Aanchal Goenka (W&M Class of 2023) is on a mission to bring back that spark. In her TEDx talk, Spark of Wonder, she challenges the constant pressure to hustle, pushing back against the idea that success is only about doing more. Instead, she invites us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the wonder that fuels creativity, connection, and meaningful change. For college students at a crossroads-facing career pressures, expectations, and uncertainty-this talk is a reminder that sometimes, slowing down is the key to moving forward. Because when we embrace our own spark of wonder, we don't just transform our lives-we inspire a ripple effect of discovery, purpose, and possibility. With a background in finance and data science, Aanchal Goenka led as President of William&Mary’s Smart Woman Securities and played a key role in University Advancement's Engagement and Senior Class Gift Committees. Now an Analyst at Deloitte Consulting, she remains deeply connected to William & Mary as a Class Ambassador and an active member of Young Guarde. Beyond the numbers and boardrooms, Aanchal is fascinated by the power of curiosity, human connection, and storytelling. She loves meeting new people, traveling, and hearing the experiences that shape them. 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

In the realm of cinematic canon, one facet of moviemaking has remained tragically underestimated—that being the art of animation. Despite animation’s ability to tell the most fantastical stories or build media empires worth billions, the medium still struggles to be considered with the same level of prestige as its live action counterpart. In this talk, high school senior Isabella Montesi breaks down the importance of animation and the power of the overlooked story. Isabella Montesi is a senior at Saint Francis High School, the President of the Paintbox Art Club, and the ASB Social Media and Video Production Representative. In 2023, she attended the California State Summer School for the Arts’s renowned Animation track, making her a recognized California Arts Scholar. Her time at CSSSA not only opened her mind to the possibilities of the animated medium through digital and analog techniques, but also solidified her passion to pursue animated filmmaking professionally and foster greater educational arts opportunities at school. From watching Finding Nemo on loop as an infant to creating her own animated short films in high school, Isabella’s wonder with the medium is always evolving and expanding. 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

In this TEDx talk, Manuel shares the powerful story of the moment he stopped living by others' expectations and fully committed to his true passion. But he doesn’t just tell the story—he makes the audience feel it. Through a mind-bending experience, he invites everyone to feel what it’s like when a single shift in perspective changes everything. When the impossible becomes possible and you can never see the world the same way again. Manuel is an international performer, speaker, and expert in communication, blending psychology, science, and art to create transformative experiences. He invites audiences to step beyond the ordinary and into the extraordinary, challenging the way they see reality and themselves. Manuel doesn’t just perform illusions—he creates genuine, immersive experiences that leave lasting impressions. With a background in civil engineering and a Master’s in Psychology and Behavioral Science, Manuel combines analytical thinking with a deep understanding of human connection. His work has taken him across continents, performing alongside business leaders, lecturing at prestigious mentalism events, and consulting professionals on authentic communication. His performances aren’t about showing off—they are about giving people something real to take with them, expanding their limits of what is possible. 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

We learn from all adventures, near and far, even destinations we haven’t reached yet. Nessa is the daughter of Chuck & Diana Swartz of Jenks, Oklahoma. She is a fourth grade student at Riverfield Country Day School. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball, walking her grandma’s dogs, and eating food. 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 speaker takes the audience on an inspiring entrepreneurial journey that began with a simple dream and transformed into an award-winning eco-tourism venture, GlampInn Valley. Set against the backdrop of forest landscapes near Hyderabad, this talk reflects on how the speaker defied traditional career expectations, worked relentlessly during his Master's in Australia, and turned his love for nature and camping into a glamping startup. Along the way, he overcame skepticism, learned the value of legal awareness in business, and was eventually joined by his father in building his dream. Sharing five key life lessons and outlining the three stages of entrepreneurship Employee, Business, and Empire . The speaker encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take risks, trust their passion, and design a life true to themselves. Rushvik Reddy Yasa Founder and managing director of GlampInn valley and GeoTens India I’ve done my engineering in CVSR college 2015 passed out and I did my Masters in business ERP in Victoria University Melbourne Australia. I was in Australia for 5 years and worked as a debt collector (part time) for 2 years Admin in liquor distribution company ALM (Full time) 3years Supervisor for CSR’s in metro trains Melbourne DNAMy goal is to become an entrepreneur since 2015, I returned to India in 2021 and started working on the project called GlampInn valley which has now received 2 national awards and has been mentioned in Forbes Magazine in 2023. Personally I am a nature love. I like to do what I love. I was a Camping person in Australia, who came up with Glamours camping concept first time in Telugu states and now GlampInn valley is one of the most relaxing and peaceful places in south India. Also recognised has Hidden gem of South in 2024 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