Theme: Gladiator Grit

Time under tension has potential to build or break. Goshen, New York finds itself at a metaphorical and literal crossroads. Many people are watching Goshen as it works through the tension as a historical landmark while expanding with new businesses and people. TEDxGoshen will be a forum for members of the school community young and old to identify what it means to identify with their community at a crossroads. We sit at the juxtaposition of past and future in this important moment in time. Living in tension between historical identities while forming new ones in the community takes a certain amount of “grit,” defined by Webster as “unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger.” The Goshen School District mascot is the Gladiator, which exemplifies much of the character of living in tension. It is with that in mind that TEDxGoshen will be branded as “Gladiator Grit.” We believe that regular people can change the world. We want to empower voices in our community to speak to an authentic audience with a global impact.

C.J. Hooker Middle School
41 Lincoln Avenue
Goshen, New York, 10924
United States

Ana Loter

Student

Ana is in 8th grade at CJH. She is an avid reader, plays the violin and piano, and is captain of her volleyball team. She is an Honors student and in advanced art. She is kind, considerate, intelligent, and empathetic. There are too many things to list about why she loves Goshen; she is just thankful this is her hometown. Her TEDx Talk is on a topic that many people can identify with, trying to make everyone happy.

Andrew Rampulla

Student

Andrew is a freshman at GHS and has been described as “the total package.” He is an Honors student, the President of the Class of 2022, runs track, does robotics, and is in Science Olympiad. He is happy that he chose to Say Yes and hopes more people make that choice too.

Bella Obligado

Student

Bella is a freshman at GHS. She plays softball on both our JV team and a travel team. She also in Chorus and a member of the Leo Club. She appreciates the diversity of Goshen and how supportive the district is of the Music program. Bella is most inspired by her mom, who is strong and brave. She wants people to become more aware of Type 1 Diabetes, which is something Bella lives with daily.

Chelsea Baez

Student

Chelsea moved to Goshen this year and is a sophomore at GHS. Her perspectives about stigmas and support are moving and deep. She will move you to think about the ways we can support each other better.

Erin Smith

Student

Erin is a junior at GHS. She plays basketball on the Varsity Basketball Team and volunteers her time helping with Unified Basketball. She feels the best thing about Goshen is the caring teachers within the school district. Erin is most inspired by her mother, who is hardworking and selfless. She chose her topic because she is passionate about creating open conversations with people and to get them to look up from their screens.

Hailey Meyers

Student

Hailey, an Honors student in 8th grade at CJH, is heavily involved in the arts. She sings, acts, plays the flute, piano, and ukulele, and is in Advanced Art. You may recognized her as Jasmine from Aladdin Jr. She is mature, confident, conscientious, and responsible. She loves how close of a community Goshen is and she is grateful to know she’s not in this 21st teenage adventure alone.

Jack Loughran

Student

Jack is a well adjusted model citizen of his high school, but his story will move you to think about what lies beneath and understand that people have way more in their lives than they let on. His talk will help you become more empathetic to people we typically we have stigmas about.

Jay Jung

Student

Jay is a junior at GHS and as such a hard worker, but he understands that it might take more than hard work to be successful.

Kiara Paulino

Student

Kiara is in 8th grade at CJH. She is a member of the Mural Club, in Science Olympiad, runs track, an honor student, and the president of Student Government. She has been described as emotionally intelligent, self-aware, socially conscious, humble, and would make a great future president of the United States.

Kyle Roddey

Former Mayor and School Administrator

Kyle is a graduate of GHS, Class of 2004. He was the mayor of Goshen for 7 years and is currently an Assistant Principal of Goshen High School. He is a co-founder of Illuminate Goshen, which organizes various community events that includes the Summer Concert Series and the Painted Trotters of Goshen.

Lee Karchawer

Community Activist

Lee is a community activist inspired to do better for others. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to begin Pay Away The Layaway charitable foundation.

Shir Kidron

Israeli American

Shir Kidron's life did not pan out as one may have predicted. Her perspective on growing up in Israel and then America will move you.

Susan Armistead

Community Activist

Sue is practically the unofficial mayor of Goshen. She can motivate a crowd to do more good than many normal people. Her calls to action elicit tremendous support all around our community.

Xander Danella

Student

Xander is in 8th grade at CJH. He is an Honors student with a dry sense of humor. He plays football and runs track.