The TEDxWhitneyHigh Conference is a youth-led initiative that aims to instigate innovation and insightful discussion within the community. This year our speakers will bring to light their unique personal experiences and ideas, adding analysis, wisdom, and information from the broader context of societal issues. TEDxWhitneyHigh hopes to convey these messages to others, inviting them to explore what ideas they think are worth spreading.

We extend an invitation to all communities within Southern California to come and enjoy the performances by our distinguished speakers and students on April 30th. Light refreshments will be provided.

Whitney High School
16800 Shoemaker Avenue
Cerritos, California, 90703
United States

Astha Guragain

Astha Guragain's passion to consume knowledge and articulate her thoughts on world issues, many of which she witnessed first-hand in Nepal, have shaped her into who she is today. She has made use of the various opportunities around her by getting involved with her school's Philosophy Club and MUN Program. As Philosophy Club President, and MUN's Secretary General, she is constantly exposed to topics for discussion and deep reflection. Her hopes to pursue a career through which she can give back to the community motivate her daily.

Jonathan Liu

Jonathan Liu is currently a business development representative for Live365, an international education company whose mission is to help educate, empower, and inspire international students so that they can become confident communicators, creative collaborators, and global leaders. His passions are speaking and sharing his stories with audiences of all ages, spreading his message that “no matter what your background or circumstances are, you can transform your life and live your dreams!” In his free time, Jonathan loves spending time with family, who have been his guiding light through the darkness. He also enjoys being in nature: going on hikes, camping, and swimming.

Kennard Kim

Kennard Kim enjoys singing, playing the piano, drawing, and watching his favorite shows. In the future, he hopes to make his father proud as he studies civil engineering at Cal Poly Pomona. His most fundamental belief is that success isn't demonstrated by wealth or power, but by the love one has for life.

Lena Danya

From a very early age, Lena Danya was influenced by passionate, creative individuals including her mother, a fashion designer, her aunt, a musician, and her grandmother, a singer and dancer. She can’t recall a specific point in her life when she turned to art; her family tells her she's been doodling since she learned how hold a pencil. To her, it's an almost meditative process that fills her with life and happiness. Sharing her work keeps her motivated, so in 2010, Lena started her own Youtube channel. Over time, her channel grew exponentially in subscribers and views and continues to expand daily. She's collaborated with talented individuals and attended several gatherings where she's had the pleasure of meeting some of her 100,000 subscribers. She is constantly learning and doing her best to grow.

Ric Tolentino

Ric Tolentino attends Whitney High School in Cerritos, California. He spends most of his time playing video games with his friends. However, when he’s not playing games, he spends half the school-year with his school’s MUN program, and the other half as a member of the Volleyball Team, all the while being an active volunteer with Key Club. Ric believes these extracurriculars have granted him with speaking skills, compassion for others, and proper team-work mentality. Ric also enjoys tutoring kids who are having trouble in school, hanging out with his friends, and playing pick-up games of basketball.

Sameer Murali

Sameer Murali is an Obesity Medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente Southern Calfornia. Having struggled with his own weight throughout his life, Dr. Murali's personal and professional journey into weight management has taken him on a deep exploration of human behavior to understand the mechanics of what it takes to make lasting changes from the inside, out.

Shannon Chou

Smruthi Maganti

Smruthi Maganti loves watching documentaries, movies, and television in addition to reading everything. Literally, everything. In the future, she plans to study ecology and evolution. Attending Case Western Reserve University in the fall, she believes that it is our choices that make us who we are, not our abilities.