Planet vs. Profit A junior at River Hill High School who is passionate about leadership, business, and environmental sustainability. Through the support of the River Hill and Howard County Community, he has seen first-hand how hard work and collaboration can drive real change. Whether through conservation or advocacy, he is committed to leaving the world a better place than he found it. 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

Varun’s talk explores emotional intelligence through a personal lens, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing emotions. Using an exercise to visualize one’s 6-year-old self, the speaker highlights the four pillars of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management—and shares strategies like metacognition to reflect before reacting. The key message: Mastering emotions leads to better relationships and decision-making, allowing emotions to guide rather than control our lives. Varun is a children's book author, bestselling author, and creative entrepreneur who is enthusiastic about turning life's messiness into lessons that have purpose. As Emomee's co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, he uses creative playkits and captivating storytelling to assist parents and kids in developing critical life skills like emotional intelligence. Varun examines teachings on curiosity, growth, and leadership in his books and podcast "Take a Pause", providing insights that can motivate kids and adults alike. One of the most well-known business podcasts in India, "Advertising Is Dead," is hosted by Varun who is also the co-founder and content leader of The Glitch, an independent creative agency with its headquarters in Mumbai. 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

Breaking Barriers and motivational talk. Hello! My name is Ishaan Busireddy, and I am a senior at RHHS. My interests are technology, history, international relations, and world cultures. I am also interested in promoting the student voice through activism and working for the community’s benefit. Within school, I enjoy participating in Varsity Tennis, Congressional Debate, Garden Club, and Model UN. 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

Rayhaan, a Grade 10 student with complete achromatopsia, shares his journey of embracing a world without colour by finding vibrant possibilities within his mind. Instead of focusing on struggles, he highlights a shift from seeking a cure to celebrating uniqueness, urging people to challenge limitations and be the change. His powerful message reminds us: "Life isn’t about what you see; it’s about how you choose to see it." Rayhaan is an inspiring Grade 10 student who has lived with achromatopsia since birth. His path and perspective on life have been significantly impacted by this condition, which impairs his capacity to sense colour and light. Drawing on his experiences overcoming cultural views and biases, Rayhaan uses his personal story to try and shed light on issues of marginalisation and discrimination. He highlights adaptation and resilience rather than just the challenges, demonstrating how he has used his condition as a source of strength. His narrative inspires more understanding and empathy in society while empowering others to face obstacles head-on with a positive outlook and a strong sense of resolve 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

Inspire others not to feel limited by stereotypes, and to encourage people to become barrier breakers using what he has learned about the importance of making your own space to create new opportunities. A freshman at River Hill High School who is interested in STEM and hopes to pursue a career in biotechnology. In school, Nathanial is involved in Model UN, FBLA, and Collaborative Marketing. Outside of school, he plays soccer, swims, and is passionate about learning languages, geography, and geopolitics. Through TEDx, Nathanial hopes to inspire others not to feel limited by stereotypes, and to encourage people to become barrier breakers using what he has learned about the importance of making your own space to create new opportunities. 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

She talked of her story of her transformation: from nursing college to discovering poetry, navigating the complexities of self-acceptance, and bravely coming out as queer on stage in front of 600 people. It’s about walking away from comfort to chase passion, facing failure in Bombay, and starting anew in Delhi, pursuing journalism with renewed determination. Swastika Rajput is a storyteller who turned her passion for writing and the arts into a powerful journey of self-discovery. Trained as a nurse, she found a new path through photography, capturing authentic emotions and building an inclusive community of nearly 470k Instagram followers and 350k YouTube subscribers where her voice echoes. She has embraced her journey of coming out as queer despite her average circumstances. She faced setbacks but stayed true to her heart, ultimately earning a standing ovation from 600 people, proving that perseverance and passion lead 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