In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

TEDxOrangeCountySchooloftheArts
1010 N Main St
Santa Ana, California, 92701
United States

Ashima Sharma and Josh D’Souza

Student

Ashima Sharma and Josh D'souza are seniors in the Creative Writing conservatory and Acting conservatory respectively. Ashima and Josh know firsthand how isolating life can feel—whether it's adjusting to a new country or spending hours commuting alone each day. Today, they’re here to share how finding the right people can redefine hope, purpose, and the way we see the world.

Disha Kar

Student

Disha Kar is a freshman in Popular Music and seeks great intention towards advocacy regarding nutritional literacy. Diagnosed with Celiac from a young age, she founded a business and podcast, working at hand with specialized nutritionists and allergy-friendly bakeries to ensure that others struggling to adhere to disease are offered the unconditional support that was absent in her life. This demanding need inspired her to deliver her talk, exploring the power our purchases hold in the course of vulnerability and all the untold secrets that lay beyond the cart.

Erin Park

Student

Erin Park is a freshman in the Acting conservatory. Her talk today "The Power of First Impressions" examines the influence that formed impressions can have over people. She draws on her experience acting in the industry which has allowed her to understand the importance of first impressions. Erin is currently signed with AEFH Talent Agency and has appeared in various TV and online commercials and short films.

Grace Li

Student

Grace Li is an eighth grader in Commercial Dance. She's passionate about creating dance, art, and occasionally, TEDx talks. She hopes you enjoy her talking about herself, as it's one of her favorite activities as well.

Jadon Vo

Student

Jadon Vo is a senior and an award-winning dancer in the Commercial Dance Conservatory, devoted to revolutionizing the world through movement while paving the way for future artists. He is the co-founder of Two Step Together, a nonprofit organization that has shared the beauty of Hip Hop with over 600 children across Southern California. As a member of the world-renowned dance team GRaVy Babies, he has spent countless hours refining his craft and pushing the boundaries of where dance can go. Jadon hopes to be a stepping stone for the next generation, living a life rooted in purity, creativity, and love.

Lila Olson

Student

Lila Olson is a junior in Integrated Arts. She is an avid reader, writer, dancer and visual artist and participates in OCSA science Olympiad. She is an avid supporter of watching kids cartoons, particularly those that advocate for a brighter future.

Logan Navar

Speaker

Logan Navar is an 8th grader in Integrated Arts. He likes to exercise his often questionable imagination through writing and art. You can find him engaging in complex philosophical debate with anyone who will listen, or perhaps several meters up a rickety tree with no evident way down. Frankly, he has no clue what he is doing, but with a lot of passion and an occasional good idea, he hopes he can commit his life to positive change in these strange times.

Lucy Hunter

Student

Lucy Hunter is a junior in Film and Television, and she faced what no sixteen year old girl should: she was sexually assaulted 3 times by her ex boyfriend. Lucy began writing her memoir, "You're Ignoring It" whilst tackling her perpetrator in court, and she has become a trailblazer for survivors of rape and sexual abuse.

Owen Weichel, Jr.

Student

Owen Weichel, Jr. is a senior in the Acting Conservatory as well as the Film and Television conservatory. Towards the beginning of his sixth grade year, Owen lost his father, Owen Weichel, Sr. to a heart attack and only at the age of 12. Many people at that age wouldn’t know how to begin to even handle the loss of a parent, but tonight, Owen breaks it down on how he viewed the loss and how he made life out of death. Shoutout to those who sat in on his journey here, y’all know who you are.

Rachel Choi

Student

Rachel Choi is a high school student in the Creative Writing Conservatory. As a TEDx speaker, writer, and advocate, she is passionate about amplifying women’s voices and challenging societal expectations. In her speech, Claim Your Seat, she draws from a personal experience to explore the culture of competition among women and the harmful belief that success is limited to a single spot. She encourages women to break free from these constraints, build spaces of collaboration, and redefine success as something that makes room for everyone.

Sailee Charlu

Student

Sailee Charlu is a sophomore studying Creative Writing, as well as a spoken poet and visual artist whose work explores themes of culture, immigration, and family connection. She is passionate about using her artistic talents to give back to Title 1 schools in Santa Ana, where she empowers the next generation of youth through creativity and confidence. Through partnerships with organizations like the Carson Scholars Foundation, Dragon Kim Foundation, the Bill of Rights Institute, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sailee expresses herself through public speaking and her imagination. In this TEDx talk, Sailee delves into the complexities of writing about cultures outside one’s own, challenging us to approach storytelling with empathy, responsibility, and authenticity.

Sophia Okerlund

Student

Sophia Okerlund is a junior in Acting. Her dream is to make a living as a successful actress in the industry and inspire others to pursue their ambitions. Sophia hopes that her speech reaches young artists who wish the same for themselves. Sophia strongly believes that good work ethic and self discipline is what gets people to accomplish their goals. In her downtime, Sophia enjoys creating video essays for her YouTube channel and reading Russian literature.

Victoria Seoah Baek

Student

Victoria Seoah Baek is a sophomore in the Creative Writing Conservatory who has always been intrigued by Descartes, Kant, and Plato's thoughts on the epistemological branch of philosophy. In her works, she reflects on many personal themes, such as coming of age, in hopes of sharing her interest in mental processes and behaviorism. Outside of this, she enjoys poetry and watching shows in her remaining time.

Zara Daneva

Student

Zara Daneva is a Junior in Creative Writing excited to be discussing language and gender with you tonight! She’s always been fascinated with language, which has taken her from the heights of creative writing to the depths of history. When not at a used book sale, she can be found petting her cats or peering at small, interesting objects.