Theme: Vision with Action

Futurist Joel A. Barker states "Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world" Building upon this idea, TEDxNorthHighSchool would like to present not only "Ideas worth spreading" but ideas that have been put into action that intend to change the world.

North High Alumni Auditorium
140 Harrington Way
Worcester, Massachusetts, 01604
United States

Alejandro Mendez Rodriquez

Co-Owner/Co-Founder of Final Assembly

Alejandro Mendez Rodriguez "AMR", is the co-owner and co-founder of Final Assembly Company, a local clothing brand that started in 2013 and is also a thriving entrepreneur, artist, and graphic designer. Alejandro uses his company and skills to help others by helping them come out their comfort zone and feel good about themselves through his clothing line. He is an artist with a vision, on a mission of success.

Amoi Smith

Student

Amoi is a sophomore at North High School. For Amoi's whole life, academics and involvement have been a priority. College has always been her goal. She is a very driven student and loves to take on challenging tasks. As she has progressed in life, she has learned that being such a scholarly student isn't a bad thing as some would think. She has learned that academics and being a motivated individual will get her very far. She is very excited to see what her future holds.

Carl Hobert

Author, Raising Global IQ: Preparing our Students for a Shrinking Planet (Beacon Press)

Over 30 years, Hobert has served as a negotiation adviser and mediator in issues ranging from intergroup conflicts in the workplace, to the US – Mexico drug war, and ethnic struggles in Rwanda, Chad, Malaysia and the Middle East. He has taught negotiation to hundreds of government leaders, corporate executives, academic administrators, educators, and college students around the world. His Global IQ work has been widely featured in the Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune and a host of scholarly journals. Trained as a multilingual negotiator with a B.A. & M.A from Middlebury College, and a Master of Arts in Law & Diplomacy from the Tufts University Fletcher School. Also an Author, Raising Global IQ: Preparing our Students for a Shrinking Planet, (Beacon Press). He is dedicated to helping youth and adults develop an understanding of alternative, non-violent approaches to resolving conflicts locally, nationally and internationally. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and studying Arabic.

Denezia Fahie

Student

Denezia moved to Worcester from Framingham when she was 4 and has been active in her community since. She began at a young age doing outreach in the community through her local church and as she got older became more involved by joining several social groups. In middle school she joined Girls CHOICE a college readiness and women's’ empowerment group which she is still involved in today. As a high schooler, Denezia has continued to seek volunteer and community service opportunities. Her most recent project is with Planned Parenthood where she became a certified sexual health peer educator. Denezia also recently participated in an international oratorical competition in Richmond, Virginia, where she placed first in her class. She was also inducted into the John Adam Chapter of The National Honor Society. Denezia is sincerely thankful for all of her supporters.

Dr. Ravi Perry

Associate Professor of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University

Dr. Ravi K. Perry, a native of Toledo, Ohio, holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Brown University, each in political science. Dr. Perry is Associate Professor of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Perry’s broad research interests focus on an evolving and prolific take on issues facing African-­‐Americans in the United States. With specializations in Black politics, minority representation, urban politics, American public policy, and LGBT candidates of color, he concentrates his research and activism in areas such as the new generation of civil rights debates, public policy, and urban politics public service delivery to minority communities. see raviperry.com for more

Dr. Tiffany Berg

Chemistry Teacher

Dr. Tiffany Berg is a currently a chemistry teacher at North High School in Worcester, MA. As an educator, she looks forward to motivating young scholars to think like scientists and become successful contributors to our society. In 2006, she received her Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from American International College. In 2012, she received her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she researched the determination of arsenic in rice. 

Jessica Asare

Student

Jessica grew up in Ghana, a developing country in West Africa. She moved to America with her twin brother Jesse to be with her father Maxwell. Jessica is currently a junior at North High School as well as the class treasurer. She is passionate about fashion designing, jewelry making, ministering at church, and her school education.

Lynn Thibault

Student

Lynn Thibault is a senior at North High School. She will be continuing her education at Nichols College in the fall of 2016, majoring in Business Management. Ms. Thibault came to the United States when she was 12 years old, she is a survivor of the earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010. After Lynn wrote an essay about being a leader in her community, she was recently named the “2016 Young Woman of Consequence” by the city of Worcester. When Lynn is not directing a meeting or writing an essay, she can be caught reading, crocheting, dancing or eating something chocolatey.

Moises Ramos

North High Alumni and Co-Owner/Co-Founder of Final Assembly

Moises "Mo", is an alumni of North High School and born and raised in Worcester, Ma. Mo is the co-owner and co-founder of Final Assembly Company, a local clothing brand that started in 2013. He is a single father, college graduate of Salter College, and is currently working as a Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist. Mo spends his time sketching ideas for his company brand, creating ideas that help Final Assembly move forward in collections that you see to this day. One quote that he always live by is "There is no such thing as scrap paper." He believes everything is used from the past to present, and everything around you can be inspirational, even an idea.

Troy B. Thompson

Creator of the No Evil Project

Troy is the creator of the No Evil Project, where he has photographed over 6,000 people posing as the three wise monkeys to challenge stereotypes and encourage conversation around the topics of race, religion, politics, sexuality, disabilities and more.  The project currently has four permanent installations; has photo shoots at festivals, colleges, schools, and other organizations; and facilitates youth programming around labels, self-awareness, and anti-bullying.  Troy is the founder of Daedal Creations, Inc. web design and Troy B. Thompson Photography.

Vanessa Acheampong

English Teacher

Vanessa Acheampong is currently a high school English Teacher at North High School in Worcester, MA. She is a product of Worcester, and the Worcester Public School system. After graduating from Burncoat High School, she went on to the College of the Holy Cross where she majored in Psychology. For the past five years, Vanessa has worked in the realm of education, and has witnessed the decline in excellence among students, and asks the question: What is excellence, and how do we (educators and parents) help students aspire to achieve it?

Yasseen Amellal

Student

Yasseen is a senior at North High School. With a love for science, he plans on majoring in biology at Umass Amherst. Yasseen is of Moroccan descent, is interested in photography, medicine, and traveling.