Theme: TEDxYouth Miami

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 Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida, 33132
United States

Area Stage

Area Stage Company (ASC) is a non-profit organization with an award-winning professional theatre company and a prestigious conservatory program that speaks the language of artistic excellence. ASC began producing theatre on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach in 1989, presenting a mix of contemporary plays and original new works. It quickly "changed the perception and standards of what South Florida's theatres can and should be,” according to the Sun Sentinel, which described the organization as “one of the most influential theatres in the region.” The critically acclaimed Area Stage productions have earned over 30 Carbonell nominations and awards, over 10 "Best of New Times" mentions, and numerous accolades throughout the region. Founded under the artistic vision of John Rodaz, ASC has enjoyed national recognition in TV networks such as ABC, CNN, Univision and Telemundo.

Daniel Dager

Daniel is a 17-year-old, senior at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. He is a varsity lacrosse player, avid musician, and president of his school’s student body. Daniel is active in the community by volunteering much of his free time to the Special Olympics.

Delaney Reynolds

Delaney is a 16-year-old honor student at Palmer Trinity School. She is the founder of the Sink or Swim Project and its website, www.miamisearise.com. In addition to serving in various ecological organizations at her school, Delaney also devotes time to her community by serving on the youth boards of Dream in Green and the CLEO Institute. Delaney is a published author and illustrator of three children’s books, including a comic-adventure book on ecological topics. She is currently writing a book for young adults about sea level rise in South Florida.

Felisha Ortega de la Paz

Felisha Ortega de la Paz is an 18-year-old, senior honors student at New World School of the Arts. She graduated as Valedictorian in 2012 from The Cushman School. She trained at In Motion Performing Arts Center studying various forms of dance, including ballet, modern, contemporary, tap, jazz, and hip hop. In addition to her rigorous dance schedule, Felisha is a member of her school's National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Felisha plans to pursue a fine arts degree in dance performance. Her dream is to become a professional dancer.

Javier Aranzales

A New World School of the Arts alum and Gates Millennium scholar, Javier is a senior at Harvard University interested in the development and invigoration of communities around the world through education, social enterprise, and arts and culture initiatives. These interests are inspired by his hometown of Bogota, Colombia, his connection to ballet since the age of 13, and the communities around the world, from the Philippines to India to Tanzania, which have opened up their doors and allowed him to witness the beauty and struggle of the human condition. Javier enjoys attempting to have conversations in Swahili and Urdu/Hindi and connecting with others through Disney Channel musicals, romantic comedies, and social entrepreneurship.

Lazaro Arbos

As a person who stutters, Lazaro has collaborated with the National Stuttering Foundation and has spoken to collegiate and undergraduate audiences about overcoming disabilities. As a philanthropist, he has also been a speaker for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation at the Levine Children’s Hospital and performed at homeless awareness events in order to help raise funds for various charities. Lazaro is currently working on his new LP.

Malcolm McNeish

Sons of Mystro honed their skills in the Broward County public school system, attending Bethune Elementary School, Parkway Middle School, Dillard High School for the Performing Arts and Broward College. Since becoming a group in June of 2010, Sons of Mystro has performed at a variety of events around South Florida, including playing the signature song, “BACK IN BLACK”- AC/DC” for Miami Heat games, Keys to the City ceremonies, ESPN/BCS Championship Party, opening for The Fray, and the 8th Annual Jazz in the Gardens. Sons of Mystro also won the Emerging Artist (under 21 years old) Award at IRAWMA (International Reggae and World Music Awards).

Marissa Manley

Marissa is a 14-year-old, freshman honors student at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School. A seasoned flutist, Marissa is active in her community by providing educational sessions for children with “Marci, the Flute Bot”. She also volunteers her time with Coloring Away Pain, a group that provides art therapy to children through the donations of coloring books and crayons to children worldwide who have experienced natural and man-made disasters. Additionally, Marissa volunteers her time for Cooking Without Looking, a program designed to teach visually impaired individuals how to cook and perform independently.

Norberto Orellana

Norberto is a 17-year-old senior at School of Advanced Studies. Despite the many adversities he has faced, his ardent passion for chemistry and medicine have remained intact. Norberto, who dreams of becoming an orthopoedic pediatric surgeon, will attend Colorado College this fall on full scholarship. On his next academic journey, he plans to continue the pursuit of excellence that afforded him such great opportunities as being selected as a presenter in this year’s TEDxYouth@Miami.

Rody Lafrance

GOGO is a non-profit organization that pairs at-risk students with professional musicians and ar sts who use contemporary music, visual arts and dance to teach the skills necessary to unleash student’s potental to be leaders both in and out of the classroom. Since 2008, GOGO has served over 1,000 students in a erschool, summer, and outreach programs. Every week, GOGO mentors work with over 200 students in under-served schools and neighborhoods across Miami and Chicago. Over 90% of students in GOGO a erschool programs have increased their GPA, school a endance, posi ve behavior, and decision-making skills.

Salma Abdelrahman

Salma is a 17 year old of Egyptian American descent and a senior at Coral Reef High School. Her passion is to share stories. Through her video project, Fabula Rasa, Salma aims to capture the power of storytelling and utilize it to create positive change. Fabula Rasa aims to invoke empathy through innovative storytelling, using whiteboard animations and voice-over in order to share the stories of marginalized and oppressed groups. She hopes to attend law school with a focus on Human Rights Law and work at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

Santamarie Arocho

GOGO is a non-profit organization that pairs at-risk students with professional musicians and artists who use contemporary music, visual arts and dance to teach the skills necessary to unleash student’s potential to be leaders both in and out of the classroom. Since 2008, GOGO has served over 1,000 students in afterschool, summer, and outreach programs. Every week, GOGO mentors work with over 200 students in under-served schools and neighborhoods across Miami and Chicago. Over 90% of students in GOGO afterschool programs have increased their GPA, school attendance, positive behavior, and decision-making skills.

Zachary Fotiadis

Zachary is a 13-year-old, 8th grade student at The Cushman School. Aside from his passion for history, political science and education overall, Zach serves on his school's Speech and Debate Team and is active in community service as the President of The Cushman School’s Kiwanis Builders Club. Zach also enjoys playing Jeopardy and participating in the National History Bee to meet other “history buffs” from all over the country. Last year, Zach submitted his “Zachipedia” YouTube channel as part of a Community Learning Partnership project and was honored by Barry University for his idea. That recognition led him to apply to be a presenter at TEDxYouthMiami.

Zoe Terry

Zoe is a nine year old, fourth grade student at Miami Country Day School. She is the CEO and founder of Zoe’s Dolls, a non-profit organization she started when she was just five years old. Zoe’s Dolls distributes new dolls of color to little “brown girls” in need during the holiday season. Zoe has been featured in the Miami Herald, The Miami Times, the South Florida Times, on WHQT Hot 105, WEDR 99 JAMZ, Musgrove TV and WMBM. She was recently designated the Kohl’s Cares Regional Winner for her philanthropic work and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Zoe lives in North Miami with her mother, godmother and her rescue dog, Nikko.