Theme: Quaker SPICES: How Individuals Contribute Meaningfully to Our Changing World

TEDx George School Youth is a celebration of ideas worth spreading, bringing together visionary thinkers, bold storytellers, and changemakers from diverse fields. This event is designed to inspire, challenge, and ignite conversation about our world and our future. Whether through science, technology, art, or human stories, each speaker brings a unique perspective to the theme: Quaker SPICES: How Individuals Contribute Meaningfully To Our Changing World.

George School - Walton Auditorium
1690 Newtown Langhorne Road
Newtown, Pennsylvania, 18940
United States

Beyla Khabensky

Senior Student at George School

Beyla is a senior day student from right around the corner in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Aside from her public speaking aspirations, her passions also lie in filmmaking, track and field, and horseback riding.

Bob Fest

Faculty Member at George School

Bob Fest is a learner-centered educator with 20+ years of experience in both traditional and non-traditional educational settings. Passionate about innovative pedagogies, he strengthens curriculum and teacher effectiveness. As a leader, he fosters global collaborations with teachers, scientists, community leaders, and professionals. Bob’s expertise spans experiential and service learning, problem-based learning, professional development, global literacy, and social justice advocacy. He’s led international programs to Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Belize, and Brazil, focused on ecology, conservation, and cultural understanding. Bob also serves as a Safari Guide in East Africa and Project Director/Board Member of the Mtaala Foundation, supporting education and healthcare initiatives in Uganda. His awards include two Fulbright fellowships, the Loucks Distinguished Chair at George School, and recognition as an International Leaders in Education Program Fellow in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Charlie Halstrick

Junior Student at George School

Charlie is a junior day student at George School, where between running to classes, he spends quality time with his friends, practices piano, and spontaneously jots inspirational thoughts and ideas into his notes app. With passion dedicated to extracurriculars such as climbing, writing, speaking, and so much more, Charlie enjoys a busy, hectic, and thrilling day-to-day hustle.

David Bergman

Junior Student at George School

David is a junior international boarding student from the Czech Republic.

Irina Brikin

Senior Student at George School

No stranger to leadership, senior Irina's biggest dreams are working in the frontlines of emergency response, starting from firefighting, and advancing to practicing medicine in the Airforce, and eventually a big-city Emergency Department. Anything that provides a thrill is a big "yes" from Irina. Her passion for the complexity of the human body is what started it all.

Jack Storie

Junior Student at George School

Junior Student at George School.

Kavya Gounder

Junior Student at George School

Junior Student at George School.

Kyle Okraku

Junior Student at George School

Kyle Okraku is a junior at George School and he's quickly becoming known for his relentless determination, curiosity, and bold creativity. Whether he's buried in a book, strumming a guitar, or exploring new creative pursuits, Kyle is constantly busy. He is all about embracing individuality, challenging the status quo, and inspiring other to think differently.

Sarah Zhu

Junior Student at George School

Junior Student at George School.

Shantel Hubert

George School Faculty Member

Shantel is a singer/songwriter/recording artist with over two decades of experience. With a vast musical repertoire which includes rhythm and blues, gospel, reggae, musical theatre, pop and jazz, Shantel’s vocal range and style paints a soulfully authentic picture with each of her performances. As an English teacher for over a decade, Shantel has engaged and inspired many aha moments while teaching literature and composition. Shantel is a reading advocate who is committed to sharing her love of literature and the importance of reading as a vehicle for elevating the mind. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University where she graduated Cum Laude and earned her Master of Education from Saint Joseph’s University. She continues to share her musical, literary, and professional speaking passion with audiences and with her students at George School — an international day and boarding high school—located in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Taise Martinez

Senior at George School

Taise is a senior boarding student and prefect at George School. She aspires to pursue a career in medicine, learn more about cognitive sciences, and advocate for neurodiversity. In her free time, Taise loves crocheting and experimenting with new recipes.