Bios
We are excited to announce the 2024 TEDxKelownaYouth speaker line up!!
Amalia Smith Duran
Age: 17
Grade: 12
School: Mount Boucherie Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Mary Ann Sieghart - Why are women still taken less seriously than men?
Title of own Talk: Beyond Biology: How Social Expectations of Gender Hurt Society and Youth
Bio: I am an international student from Bogotá, Colombia. I have recently moved to Canada from South America and am in my senior year at Mount Boucherie Secondary School. I come from a mixed household, one of diverse ideologies, thoughts, and perspectives. However, most importantly, from a family of understanding and empathy. This has taught me to maintain an open perspective throughout the years, looking to learn from others whilst relaying accurate information to others -- all in the search for being part of the movement to create a society which keeps an open ear, is willing to learn and expand their knowledge regardless of others' irrelevant, human characteristics..
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Benjamin Seethaler
Age: 17
Grade: 12
School: Kelowna Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Tim Urban - Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator
Title of own Talk: The Decline of Social Mobility in Canada
Bio: I am a passionate student at Kelowna Secondary School who loves to try new things and meet new people. Having grown up in Kelowna, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the city grow and evolve around me. When I'm not busy studying, I spend my time playing badminton, participating on the school debate team, and seeing friends. After I finish high school, I look forward to studying economics and working towards solutions that can have a positive impact on people's lives. The principles of fairness and equity are guiding philosophies in much of what I do and I hope that my Ted Talk can inspire action that brings us closer to these ideals.
Chloe Silver
Age: 17
Grade: 12
School: Kelowna Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Luis von Ahn - How to make learning as addictive as social media?
Title of own Talk: Beyond Numbers: Cultivating Creativity in Mathematics
Bio: My name is Chloe Silver, and I’m a senior high school student from Western Canada. Growing up in British Columbia has given me a deep appreciation for the natural environment and countless opportunities to explore it with my family and friends. Additionally, I have a strong interest in the Sciences. In my free time, I love learning about new scientific discoveries or tackling challenging math problems. However, through my experiences as a tutor, teaching assistant, and STEM camp counselor I’ve witnessed the disconnect between youth and mathematics. This observation has motivated me to rethink my approach to the subject while encouraging others to do the same. Beyond STEM, I also have a deep love for the arts; I’m a dancer at The Village Dance Academy and practice acrylic painting as a fine artist. For me, both STEM and the arts provide unique ways to express creativity and solve problems, and I’m excited to continue exploring both fields in the future.
Clarke Schafer
Age: 16
Grade: 11
School: Okanagan Misson Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Graham Shaw - Why People Believe they Cannot Draw
Title of own Talk: Homogenizing our Society - How this is detrimental to our ability to adapt to ourselves and our world.
Bio: Hi, I'm Clarke, a grade 11 student attending Okanagan Mission Secondary School. I love to read fantasy novels and play strategic board games. I have played water polo at the national and regional level for sport. I also enjoy playing the saxophone in both concert and jazz band. I live with my parents and two cats, Glacia and Roake. My older brother just moved to Alberta to start university. I've always wanted to do a Ted Talk to prove to myself that I can overcome my own limits.
Hannah Park
Age: 14
Grade: 9
School: Okanagan Misson Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - The Danger of a Single Story
Title of own Talk: The Seed of Beliefs: The Impact of Cultural and Familial Ideology on Children
Bio: My name is Hannah Park, and I am currently a ninth-grade student attending school in British Columbia, Canada. I originally grew up in Yellowknife and moved to Kelowna in 2022. Although I’m considered a newcomer to this community, I embrace new opportunities and challenges whenever I can. In my spare time, I’m involved as a Royal Canadian Sea Cadet and am working towards earning my qualifications to become a potential lifeguard. This year, my goals are to develop my leadership skills and explore various ways to succeed academically as I prepare for tenth grade. In my TED Talk, I will share my personal perspective on how cultural and familial values have the ability to shape a child’s worldview, further demonstrating how these early influences can last a lifetime.
Jenny (Jiyoon) Kim
Age: 17
Grade: 12
School: Kelowna Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Bill Burnett - 5 Steps to Designing the Life you Want
Title of own Talk: When Toxicity Wears Cupid's Mask - The Romanization of Toxic Relationships.
Bio: I’m like a book still being written, full of laughs, adventures, and plot twists. I welcome the turbulence that comes with being a teenager; a mixture of brightness and storm clouds. Something I firmly think that words have power; words have the capacity to uplift, heal, and unite us. "Life is what you make it," as the phrase goes, and I'm all about forging my own route. I also have a deep interest in science, which fascinates me and shapes how I understand the world around me. The mysteries of the universe, the intricacies of life, and the impact of human actions captivate me — understanding relationships and how they shape our lives. I always try to be genuine and loyal to myself while navigating the highs and lows of adolescence. I'm here to live in the present and paint my path with vivid hues of development and self-awareness.
Kaan Oytec
Age: 15
Grade: 10
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Russel Wilson - My Secret to Staying Focused Under Pressure
Title of own Talk: Awkward Moments = Unique Benefits
Bio: My name is Kaan Oytac and I am a student currently studying in British Columbia, Canada. I am originally from Turkey and moved to Canada when I was eleven years old. I am a committed student who enjoys hiking, learning about history and interacting with others.I have learned over time that small steps accumulate to create substantial differences. Over time, and through perseverance I have flourished in my Canadian environment. I personally believe that seizing the current moment is crucial to success and am inspired to take small steps daily, towards achieving my goals.I believe that being awkward leads to authentic connections and can enhance an individual’s relatability. Furthermore,I believe that learning to be comfortable in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations is a building block for personal achievement. Attending nine schools in 10 years has taught me to be adaptive and comfortable with my awkwardness, as each school has a unique identity. This has also taught me to appreciate who I am as a person. In his view “The more people tell you that it’s not possible–that it can’t be done– the more you should absolutely be determined to prove them wrong. Treat the word ‘impossible’ as nothing more than motivation.”
Lelin (Sophia) Yan
Age: 14
Grade: 9
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Tim Urban - Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator
Title of own Talk: One Life, Infinite Possibilities
Bio: My name is Sophia Yan and I am a grade 9 student in Canada. Grounded by the goal to embrace my nature of living by loving, I am deeply inspired by the mission to foster genuine connections within the community through involvement in activities that cultivate personal growth and bring the best out of others.I look to the world around me to be an inspiration for the mutual respect I strive for, whether its teachers that will give up their evenings for your education or incredibly driven coaches that passionately share their love for the sport with you, seeing people striving towards the same mission that I take on bring me to life.
Lisa Zhao
Age: 16
Grade: 11
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Mel Robins: How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over
Title of own Talk: The Desire to be Sad: How Concept Creep Has Re-stigmatized and Glorified Mental Illness
Bio: If you asked 10-year-old Lisa this question, she'd describe herself as compassionate, ambitious, and creative. She’d say she loves to read, draw, write and so many more. Yet now, I don’t know if I’m any of those things. Some mornings, I only exist on autopilot, unable to trach for much. Some days, I stand at the top of the world, acting on everything I tell myself. Other days, I sit in quiet silence, paralyzed by this strange combination of fear and anticipation for the future. Yet through everything, there is this constant voice in a small corner of my mind, whispering, “Why can’t you?” If 10-year-old Lisa believes she is all those things if 10-year-old Lisa loves to read and write and draw, why can’t I try to be so now? My name is Lisa; I hope to be a compassionate and open-minded person, and I hope my talk can guide others to develop compassion and empathy for the people around us.
Nevada Ropotar
Age: 17
Grade: 12
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Geena Rocero - Why I Must Come Out
Title of own Talk: The Power of Connecting to Your Culture
Bio: I’m Nevada Ropotar, a grade twelve student from Canada, and I enjoy a variety of activities. Typically, you can find me working in the theatre, solving equations in labs, writing stories, doing crafts, or surrounding myself in nature. I’m very grateful to my mentors, advocates, and mother for teaching me about my culture, as I know I couldn't have done this without their support. Though this is my first time doing something like TEDx, I’m excited about this opportunity and hope you enjoy my hard work and effort!
Sophie Marrs
Age: 15
Grade: 10
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Sam Berns - My Philosophy for a Happy Life
Title of own Talk: The Gift of Confidence
Bio: I’m Sophie Marrs, a passionate Grade 10 student from Western Canada. Soccer is a huge part of my life; it not only fuels my drive but teaches me valuable lessons in resilience, teamwork, and personal growth. Beyond sports, I have a deep love for learning and exploring the world, whether through travel or new experiences. I’m always seeking ways to challenge myself and push my limits, both on and off the field. I believe in the power of confidence and how it can shape who we are, which is why I’m excited to share my journey with others.
