Theme: Made in the Future

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).

The Emery/Weiner School
9825 Stella Link Rd.
Houston, Texas, 77025
United States

Abby Lambert

Abby Lambert is a fifth grader at Duchesne Academy. Her hobbies are golf, voice and piano. She loves animals and has a Labradoodle named Maggie.

Alex Watson

A passionate writer, Alex was selected as one of her State’s “Most Gifted Young Writers" from a competition of thousands of students. She is a voracious reader, and was designated as an academically gifted and talented scholar. She enjoys volleyball, piano, acting, traveling, snowboarding, cooking, playing with her rescue dogs, and doing cartwheels on the beach.

Analilia Rojas

Analilia Rojas is a junior at Chinquapin Preparatory School. She was born and raised in Houston, Texas where she has grown to love the cultural diversity of a big city. She is the youngest of five children. One might think that of the best things about being the youngest in the bunch is the spoiledness, but that wasn’t quite her case, Analilia explains. She grew up learning to share everything, especially with her big sister who is only 11 months older than her. Although sharing wasn't always the most fun thing, it has made them closer and her sister has become her biggest inspiration. Analilia is family oriented which has helped her out to come up with her project and be passionate about who Ishe has teamed up to help.

Ayush Krishnamoorti

Ayush Krishnamoorti is a thirteen year old middle schooler at The Post Oak School in Houston, Texas. Ayush’s passion for numbers began at an early age. At thirteen, he has mastered Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, and pre-calculus. He has won many awards in math competitions, including first place at several Houston-area middle school TMSCA competitions. Outside of his curricular interests, Ayush is passionate about sports and music. He is gifted at piano and guitar and plans to pursue these interests. He has won youth soccer tournaments, and individual tennis tournaments. Ayush’s passion for sports extends beyond his interest in excelling on the playing field to understanding and communicating about the science behind sports.

Eve Baliff

Eve Baliff is a student at The Emery/Weiner School in Houston, Texas and a TEDx Youth alumna.

Fiona Charlton

“I’ve always believed in sharing, but when I heard that polar bears were going extinct because of Global Warming and couldn’t be shared with future generations I knew I had to do something.” My name is Fiona Charlton and I believe the earth’s environment should be treated with kindness so that polar bears don’t become extinct. Everyone should be encouraged to ride a bike or walk instead of using a car or use LED light bulbs instead of using incandescent bulbs. These are just a few ways in which we can protect the environment so future generations can enjoy polar bears just like we do today. Remember, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Gavin Roth

Gavin is a student at The Emery/Weiner School in Houston, Texas. He founded Bottles of Smiles, a 503c, with classmate Ilana Vines.

Ilana Vines

Gavin is a student at The Emery/Weiner School in Houston, Texas. She founded Bottles of Smiles, a 503c, with classmate Gavin Roth. She is a TEDx Youth alumna.

Iris Ayala

Iris Ayala is a sophomore at The Post Oak High School. She was born in Houston, Texas on August 13. Her hobbies include reading, writing and drawing. Specifically, Iris enjoys creative writing, poems, and short stories. Since middle school, she has always volunteered in different organizations. If there's an opportunity to volunteer, Iris is always there ready to help! She loves learning about current news and different cultures around the world, including where she currently lives, Houston. Iris is fascinated with cultures due to the reason that her parents are from Hispanic countries: Honduras and Mexico. This has allowed Iris to learn and about the three cultures in which she lives: Honduran, Mexican and American.

Isabella Neblett

Isabella Neblett is a sixteen year old student at the Post Oak High School in Houston, Texas. As a young woman growing up in the United States of America, Isabella has been fortunate to attend schools that encourage her to speak her mind and to carve a space where her voice can be heard if there is none. As a result, Isabella strives to live her life with eyes peeled wide open to international events, especially ones within her own country. She is a feminist who writes about what she sees, whether through stories, poems, or personal essays. Isabella also enjoys reading about psychology, philosophy, and teenage romance when she is not busy with school or writing a poem between classes.

Josue Gusman

My name is Josue Gusman and I am a 16 year old junior at Chinquapin Preparatory School. I was born and raised in the Houston area, but my family is originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras which is something that has greatly influenced my upbringing. My two younger brothers are a huge inspiration in my life, and, though they may not know it yet, they impact it more than they can imagine. Because of them I work in the Children's Ministry as a Sunday school teacher at Templo Bautista de South Houston. I have been a teacher there for three years now and have learned from them as much as they’ve learn from me. I enjoy teaching these children because I know that they are the future and it is important that we instruct children in the right way. That's why my project focuses so much on children. The lessons learned and passions I have developed over this time have helped lead me to create Project Backpack: Education is Key.

Leo Gerst

Leo is a Middle School student at The Emery/Weiner School in Houston, Texas. He is an avid film and technology fan.

Madison Romo

Madison Romo is a sophomore at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston, Texas. She is the captain of the school debate team and competed in the public forum debate category during her freshman year at the Texas Forensics State Tournament in El Paso, Texas. Madison also attended the Capitol Debate Summer Camp at the University of Houston, and she was part of the first all-girl team to win the camp tournament in the ten year history of the company. Additionally, she plays varsity field hockey, studies French, serves as Student Council Vice-President of the Sophomore Class, is a member of the Iron Plaid Robotics Team, and she serves on the City of Houston Mayor’s Youth Council. Madison has attended the Duke University Summer Studies program for the past three years, and she is currently working toward the highest award in Girl Scouting known as the “Gold Award”. In 2013, Madison was a presenter at the TEDx World Youth Day and her talk was called “Go For It.”

Megan Toussaint

Megan Toussaint is a student in 5th grade at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. She has read about global warming, and wants to help stop it by raising awareness. Megan has done many fundraisers for saving polar bears and donated to the World Wildlife Federation. She wants to help any endangered species, such as polar bears. She enjoys sports, reading, and adventures. She has a family of 4, with a special needs brother. Megan is 11, but no matter her age, she wants her voice to be heard and is excited for TEDx. Megan wants to say thanks to all the people who will watch her talk and put what she says into action.

Miles Goldstein

Miles is a Middle School student at The Emery/Weiner School. He is deeply interested in how businesses work.

Sarah Elisa Diaz-Perdomo

My name is Sarah Elisa Diaz Perdomo. On July 30, 2004 I entered this world in Caracas, Venezuela. Fourteen months later my family and I moved to Richmond, Texas where we have stayed. As a result of my Hispanic origins I speak fluent Spanish along with English. I have an interest in all the arts and I adore singing and drawing although I don’t practice often. My one passion above all else is reading and I would spend all my time doing it if I could. Along with reading I enjoy playing soccer, tennis, and the piano. Law is one of the areas I am interested in. In fact, I would like to attend Yale University with a full scholarship to become a lawyer and then, a few years later, become a judge.

Scout Ash-Dale

Scout is a student at the Emery/Weiner School in Houston, Texas. She's lived and grown up across the world. Most recently, she moved to Houston from Beijing, China.