In a world dominated by social media, where we often showcase only fragments of our lives —sometimes leading to pretense —Leonardo reminds us that life goes beyond appearances. It's about taking action and making conscious decisions every single day. Leonardo is currently a 9th grade student at Colegio Americano of Saltillo and stands out for his great personality, his big ideas, and his desire to step out of his comfort zone. 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

Do you feel like the result of your circumstances, or do you believe you have the strength and resilience to rise above them?Julia offers us a bold challenge: to stop seeing our lives as a reaction to what happens to us and instead become the ones who set the course. She is a 12th-year high school student at Colegio Americano, where she has stood out for her ability to connect with others and participate in student groups. 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 does success mean to you? We all have different answers. In this talk, Gladyz invites us to creatively and simply redefine what most people think success is. Her brilliant perspective at such a young age can inspire you. A student at the Colegio Americano de Saltillo; she has participated in various student activities, she is creative and has a challenging approach to success. 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

Vocaholics a capella performance during TEDxUCincinnati's TENx event. The UC Vocaholics is a high-energy a cappella group at the University of Cincinnati, uniting students from all fields with a shared passion for music. Established in 2014, the group is known for bold performances, dynamic harmonies, and creative musical storytelling. Over the years they have been awarded Outstanding Arrangement, Outstanding Soloist, Outstanding Vocal Percussion, and Outstanding Choreography. Most recently, they placed first at the Midwest ICCA quarterfinals and 4th place in the Midwest overall! They hope you enjoy their performance! 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 Talk reframes early childhood education as a movement, not a moment: one that asks us to measure our community’s health by the well-being of its children. It explores the powerful ripple effects of high-quality preschool on equity, the economy, and long-term success, making the case that investing in our youngest learners is a moral, practical, and communal imperative. Chara Fisher Jackson is an integral part of the Cincinnati community. Since she moved to Cincinnati from Atlanta, she has served as executive director and interim President & CEO of a mid-size nonprofit to her current role as Executive Director & CEO of Cincinnati Preschool Promise, managing multimillion-dollar budgets in each organization. Her legal skills, strategic thinking, advocacy, and advances in civil rights and equity are a reflection of her deeply personal mission to improve her community and innovate early childhood education. Over 240 Providers and 12,000 children have benefitted from the work of Cincinnati Preschool Promise under her tutelage with the support of ten skilled professional staff members. Chara fully understands the pitfalls facing undereducated youth. From her work in Atlanta, she has vast experience as a lobbyist and litigator of complex civil rights issues. She has led advocacy campaigns and litigation on voting rights, the school to prison pipeline, and religious freedom issues. She embraces the vision of the Cincinnati Preschool Promise and knows the importance of engaging children early in their educational journey to prepare them to successfully navigate issues which may confront them later in life. Since 2019, she has led Cincinnati Preschool Promise's mission: "to ensure equitable access to high-quality preschool so that every Cincinnati child is prepared for kindergarten.” Chara's goal is to make sure every child has a chance to thrive by supporting the early childhood education ecosystem. Her interests and influence take her beyond traditional boundaries, empowering her to influence and encourage broader involvement in supporting the youngest learners in Cincinnati, a role she takes on with great enthusiasm and determination. She currently serves on the board of 5 community-based non-profit organizations and is an active member of SGI-USA, a global community-based network that practices the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. In 2024, she was recognized by the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati as a Career Woman of Achievement. 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 TED Talk tells the story of a family's harrowing escape from Vietnam and the generational impact of choosing to carry hope, hard work, and compassion instead of fear and defeat. Blending personal narrative with reflection, the speaker challenges us to consider what we carry, and how those choices shape our lives and the lives of others. Dr. Bekah Yoxthimer isn't just your Dr. USA 2023 pageant queen, she's a powerhouse of passion and purpose. Alongside her amazing husband and their trio of lively boys, she embodies the essence of the American dream. It's a legacy she inherited from her parents who, despite escaping war-torn Vietnam with barely anything, clung to hope to aspire to live the American dream. They found kindness in volunteers who housed them and drove them to interviews, so that they could succeed in life. Inspired by their journey, Dr. Bekah started a volunteer organization in 2018, "Strong Women Helping Others" to pay that kindness forward. Dr. Bekah strives for excellence in all that she does from earning a full academic scholarship at The Ohio State University, then skipped a year of undergrad and received early admissions into Dental school which is a difficult feat, to clinching the 2024 Top Dentist Award and twice becoming the International Speech Champion, Dr. Bekah's credentials shine brightly. She also has received two gold medals for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for all her volunteer work to help the marginalized. She is a public speaker, triathlete and social media influencer. Yet, amid these accolades, her true fulfillment comes from extending a hand to those in need. It's not just about the titles; it's about making a tangible difference in her community. 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