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

This talk invites listeners to discover the beauty and unique structure of Swahili, a language shaped by its own history and culture. While it differs from English in many ways, exploring these differences reveals new ways of thinking and understanding. In a world increasingly marked by division, it is more important than ever to remember that language is a bridge, not a barrier. Language is a way to connect, understand, and celebrate our shared humanity. Felicitas Becker is a historian of East Africa with a particular interest in the history of Islam, of the aftermath of slavery and of development. Her research has been published by Oxford and Cambridge University Presses and a variety of international journals. She worked at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, and the University of Cambridge. Her familiarity with Swahili is due to living in Tanzania for about three years, during which she travelled in areas of the country where English is not spoken. She has written extensively on topics such as the spread of Islam in rural Tanzania, the politics of poverty, and the Maji Maji War. Her books include Becoming Muslim in Mainland Tanzania (2008) and The Politics of Poverty in Africa (2019). Felicitas has lived and worked in Germany, the UK, Tanzania, Hungary, Canada, and the US, and she currently resides in Gent, Belgium. 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

"One person, one vote" (in its current form) is just one way to organise a democracy, but it’s severely limited and in need of an update. This talk explores what that update might look like, and why we urgently need to change the way we vote. Stef is a researcher and facilitator focused on how monetary systems shape behavior and society. He blends theory with hands-on workshops, helping participants experience the emotional and social impact of potential changes in these systems. Stef believes that connecting intellectual understanding with emotional insight leads to deeper conversations and better solutions. Originally from an IT and business background, Stef’s concerns about climate change led him to explore monetary systems as a key obstacle to sustainability. Through self-study in economics, sociology, and human behavior, he co-developed the Sustainable Money System (SuMSy) with Happonomy, designed to foster sustainable economic practices globally. Stef is passionate about creating positive change and believes that what seems impossible today can become reality tomorrow. 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

Mark Marinelli explores how educators can instill respect in students — not just for authority or rules, but for themselves and for others. Drawing from his experience, he emphasizes that teaching respect starts with modeling it: through consistent expectations, honest communication, and meaningful relationships. By fostering a culture of accountability and empathy, Marinelli demonstrates how classrooms can become environments where students learn to value their own voice while also understanding the perspectives and dignity of those around them.Mark Marinelli is a teacher and the head coach of the boys' varsity wrestling team at here at Liberty. With over 18 years of coaching experience at our school, he has significantly contributed to the wrestling program's success. In recognition of his outstanding coaching, Mr. Marinelli was named Coach of the Year by ThisWeek Sports in 2018. Before joining Liberty, he served as the head coach at St. Francis DeSales High School from 1993 to 2007, leading the team to two state runner-up finishes. Mr. Marinelli's dedication to both teaching and coaching has left a lasting impact on the students and athletes he mentors. 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

Birlikte düşünen, üreten iki kadın olarak bu konuşmayı hazırlamak üzere bu ikili yolculuğun “o an”larını listelediğimizde ikimizin de farklı farklı anları zihninize kazıdığını gördük. Anladık ki “o an” tek bir an değilmiş, iki insanın o anları her zaman uyuşmuyormuş, mesele biri aslında hiç o anda değilken diğerinin el vermesindeymiş. Bu yolculuğa başladığımız günle bugün arasında hayatlarımızda çok şey değişti, bazı rollerimizi bıraktık, yeni rollere soyunduk. Bu rol değişiklikleri sırasında birbirimize el uzatmamız, omuz vermemiz, yük paylaşmamız gereken çok “an” oldu. Size bu yolculuğu ve birbirimizin koşulsuz desteğini hissettiğimiz o anları anlatmak ve özellikle iki kadın olarak neler yaşadığımızı ve başka kadınların bize nasıl güç verdiğini paylaşmak istiyoruz. Bunun sonrasında birbirimize paslaşarak kendi sürecimizi, yolculuğumuzun dönüm noktalarını ve podcastte konuştuğumuz türlü konulara (annelik, neşe, tutku vb.) kadınlardan nasıl tepkiler aldığımızı anlatacağız. Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümünden mezun oldu. Web tasarımcılığında profesyonelleşirken bir yandan da çocukluğundan beri edebiyata duyduğu merak ve hevesin sonucunda bu alanda yazıp çizmeye başladı. Mart 2021'den beri KAFA dergisinde yer alan kitap eleştirileriyle, Kasım 2023'ten beri Bloomberg HT TV'de her hafta kültür-sanat dünyasından bir ismi ağırladığı Pandora'nın Merakı isimli bir programla karşımıza çıkıyor. Eylül GÖRMÜŞ, aynı zamanda yazar röportajları gerçekleştiriyor.MUBI Türkiye Pazarlama Yöneticisi Tuğçe ARSLAN ÜÇER, Galatasaray Üniversitesi İşletme Bölümünden mezun olduktan sonra pazarlama ve marka alanlarında çalışmaya ve danışmanlık yapmaya başladı. Sinemaya olan sevgisini ve ilgisini pazarlama tecrübesi ile MUBI Türkiye'de birleştiren Tuğçe, 1 Kitap 1 Film 1 Şey isimli podcastte içerik üretmeye devam ediyor 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 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