Theme: Why Not?

In the rush of modern day society, we have come to greet ideas with skepticism instead of first asking Why Not? Everyone has a moment when they question the status quo and have Why Not? idea that might seem crazy or wrong, but it could be the next breakthrough in science or technology or help save millions of lives. And if it is not, at least we are one wrong idea closer to success. This Why Not? mindset encourages open-minded thinking and thus will help solve global problems by bringing in more unique perspectives and thoughts. So, what is your Why Not?

North Creek High School
3613 191st Pl SE, Bothell, WA 98012
Bothell, Washington, 98021
United States

Akash Thakkar

Composer, Sound Designer

Akash Thakkar is an award-winning composer, sound designer, and public speaker within the video game industry. Inspired at a very young age by the music of his favorite video games, he eventually married his two loves, video games and music, to find his career. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and now a leader in the video game industry, having the honor of speaking at events and conferences around the world.

Antyush Bollini

Student, Scientist, Business Leader

Antyush is a junior at Inglemoor High School where he is a candidate for the International Bachelorette Diploma. He is heavily involved in business programs like FBLA and DECA as well as Science Olympiad. He is also very passionate about STEM.

Deepthi Chandra

Student, Researcher, Storyteller

Deepthi Chandra is a ninth grader at Northshore Junior High and a future North Creek High School student. In 2017, she organized the first annual TEDxYouth@NorthCreek conference with the theme Why Not? to foster a sense of open-mindedness and acceptance of ideas that do not fit the status quo in the Northshore School District community.

Eric McDowell

Principal of North Creek High School

Dr. Eric McDowell has been North Creek High School's planning principal for the past two years and is extremely excited to become the Principal of North Creek High School as it opens this fall. When he's not trying to figure how many desks the school needs or sitting in interviews hiring staff, Dr. McDowell loves traveling, reading, hanging out with family and friends, and playing tennis. 

Kayla Yagi-Bacon

Kayla Yagi-Bacon plays violin in Northshore Junior High's chamber orchestra. She has studied music for 8 years.

Maya Oleynikova

ASB President at Northshore Junior High

Maya is currently a freshman at Northshore Junior High and will be heading to Inglemoor High School for her sophomore year in the fall. She is the ASB president at Northshore and in her TEDx talk, she tells a story about 2 people who achieved a lot despite their unfavorable circumstances.

Michelle Reid

Superintendent of Northshore School District

Dr. Michelle Reid was unanimously selected as superintendent by the Northshore School District Board of Directors in June 2016 following a national search. She is known regionally and nationally for instructional leadership and crafting sustainable systems for district support of the instructional core. She has been a conference keynote presenter, STEM panel participant and has been a leadership facilitator at both the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership and the Harvard Institute for School Leadership.