Theme: "Demur"

We have forever been intrigued with the paradigm shift. Imagine the mind that first realized the earth wasn't flat, or the first time someone challenged--or objected--or demurred--our comfortable geocentric notion of the cosmos. There is a freedom and a humility in thinking differently--another step closer to figuring out the truth of something. Or figuring out that there is so little we have figured out. Our event is centered around the power of this simple verb: DEMUR.

This is our first year at Arcadia Public Schools hosting a TEDxYouth event. Courageous, inspiring people have accepted the invite to share their moments of "demur." Moments where a hesitation or objection changed everything. Our theme is rooted in Emily Dickinson's poem #620:

Much Madness is divinest Sense --
To a discerning Eye --
Much Sense -- the starkest Madness --
'Tis the Majority
In this, as all, prevail --
Assent -- and you are sane --
Demure -- you're straightway dangerous --
And handled with a Chain --
​
"Demur" is defined in my old Random House dictionary with several options that range from "to make objection" to "linger or hesitate." We have set aside an evening in July to willing hesitate and linger with objections to our comfortable way of viewing our world.
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We hope you take the time to join us on July 11th, 2016 to experience TEDxYouth@APS: "Demur."

Arcadia High School
756 Raider Drive
Arcadia, Wisconsin, 54612
United States

Alonzo Genelin & Andrew Petz

Students

Alonzo Genelin and Andrew Petz were 2012 graduates of Arcadia High School. During their time in high school, they were both members of the high school band, and Andrew was in the high school choir. Alonzo went on to Earlham College where he graduated this year with a degree in Mathematics. Andrew went to The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he also graduated this year with a degree in Computer Science.

Angie Mazzuca

Teacher

Angie Mazzuca is a middle school English teacher in Pine City, Minnesota. She has been teaching English, coaching speech, and directing the All-School Play for the last three years. She has a passion for public speaking and is an active member of Toastmasters International. Besides public speaking, Angie is a writer. Both of these loves helped her to transition from teenage high school student, to college student, to professional adult. She continues to inspire and empower her students with public speaking and creative writing. In her free time, Angie enjoys reading, making bracelets, agate hunting, and ghost hunting.

Anne Peterson

Medical / RN

Anne Peterson is a wife, mother and an RN by profession. She worked in Pediatrics then took time off to raise four children and now works part time for the local Visiting Nurses Association. Combining her interest in nursing and psychology, she earned a Masters in Counseling Psychology. Having strong willed children, one of whom had a learning disability and another who was gifted and talented, much research was required in order to know how to support and advocate for her children. She is very involved in her church, both locally and on a diocesan level. She enjoys camping, quilting and spending time with her family.

Carol Rumpel

Teacher

Carol Rumpel was born in Wisconsin and lived here until she left for college to explore places like North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Minnesota and many other places around the world. During that time, she worked hard, learned many new and interesting things, and enjoyed all adventures. Carol's husband, Dave, and their 4 children (Kelly, Kyle, Cheyanne and Gina) have enjoyed the quiet life while living in the country near Arcadia, WI. Carol has many hobbies but her favorites are those that take place outside. She enjoys horseback riding, swimming, hiking, and chainsaw carving.

Jim Garofalo

Agriculture

Jim Garofalo was born in Monroe, Wisconsin. At the age of three, his family moved to Southern California. After graduating from High School, Jim served in the United States Marine Corp. He was educated at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where he earned a technical degree in Dairy Science. After completion of college, he returned to Wisconsin and has made Arcadia his home since 1986. He has been married to Barb for 27 years; they have two sons: Anthony 25 and Joseph 23. Jim has spent his entire professional career in the Dairy Industry and has been employed by AgSource Cooperative for the past 23 years. He is currently Regional Sales Manager. Jim enjoys spending his free time outdoors hunting, hiking, backpacking, shoe showing, jogging, and photography.

Lexi Haines

student

Lexi Haines is a 17 year old girl who has a passion for fashion and cosmetology. Lexi graduated from Arcadia High School in 2016. She has lived in Arcadia her whole life with her mom, dad and younger sister Kelsey. Lexi enjoys shopping, traveling, singing, reading, photography, movies and playing with her dog. Lexi will be attending The Salon Professional Academy in the fall and hopes to also go to further schooling for Fashion and Retail Management in the future. Lexi one day dreams of working in a big city doing what she loves. She gets her inspiration to do "big things" from her high school English teacher, Mr. Alan Herman.

Loren Wolfe

Dairy Farmer

Loren Wolfe is a semi-retired dairy farmer in the Waumandee area. He is a graduate of UW-River Falls, taught agriculture at Brookwood High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has been a dairy farmer for 48 years and was involved in developing of the Cowsmo Compost business at Rosenholm-Wolfe Dairy.

Paul Jereczek

Farmer, author, dad

Paul Jereczek dairy farms in Pine Creek, WI. He has been married to Jolene for eight years and has three children (Bronson, 6, Sophia, 4, and Silas, 1) with number four due in August. Last July he self-published his first book, "The Whispers of Dead Elms" and is currently working on his next novel. He enjoys eating handfuls of gummy bears while he writes and his favorite pop is Cream Soda.