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).

Maumee Valley Country Day School
1715 South Reynolds Road
Toledo, Ohio, 43614
United States

Abigail Berk

Abigail Berk is a senior at Ottawa Hills High School. In her nonexistent free time she enjoys researching at the University of Toledo, shadowing at Promedica and being active in her youth group, BBYO. Abigail is excited to continue next year at the Ohio State University as a biomedical science major with a pre-med track. Her talk is titled “how to be a GENEius” with a goal of allowing you to understand your own genetic information. She would like to thank the TEDxMaumeeValleyCountryDaySchoolTeam team for this opportunity.

Eric Slotterbeck

Eric Slotterbeck is currently a sophomore at Maumee Valley Country Day. He enjoys playing the piano, raising his tarantula, playing baseball, and most importantly learning about all the amazing thing the world has to offer. He also enjoys discussing ethics with his friends and most strongly sides with Kantian and Virtue Ethics. Because of his passion for ethics, his TEDx talk will be about something he discusses and debates often: the controversial topic of human free will.

George Willis

George Willis, a junior at Perrysburg High School, is a semi-professional violinist and student of Vasile Beluska. He is a member of PHS Select Strings, PHS Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra, Toledo Symphony Youth Ensembles, and has performed with the University of Toledo Symphony, Perrysburg Symphony, OMEA All-State Orchestra, and many more. After six years of study, George is planning to pursue a violin performance degree in college.

Jonathan Buchanan

Jonathan Buchanan is a junior at Maumee Valley. He enjoys studying math, science, participating in robotics, and working with computers. In addition to these activities, he has found a passion for music. He plays the violin, guitar, bass, and drums. He’s involved in a hard rock band called Half Step Back and a metal band called Atrofi. He also enjoys producing my own songs. Over the last three years, he’s become fascinated by heavy metal and its various subgenres. His talk will be about the subtle differences between these genres and he will demonstrate these on my guitar.

Quinn Dunlap

Quinn Dunlap is a sophomore at Maumee Valley, who loves to run. He participates in cross country, track, Model UN, and is the sophomore class president. He plays guitar in his free time, loves to read and listen to music. When he’s older he’d like to run for public office and someday be president. His talk will be about why running can transform your life mentally and physically and what running has done for him over the years.

Sawsan Alkhalili & Zainab Jaafar

Sawsan Alkhalili, known by most as “Susu,” is currently a senior at Maumee Valley Country Day School. She is co-president of the Global Leadership Program and the Muslim American Society, and also participates in Mock Trial, Model UN, and Student Government. In the future, Susu hopes to major in Neuroscience, eventually pursuing a career in medicine. Zainab Jaafar is a current senior at St. Ursula Academy. She is an active member of Student Council, Model UN, STEM Club, and serves as a mentor for her local youth group. Zainab enjoys playing piano and filming goofy videos with her friends. Although she maintains a variety of interests, Zainab will pursue a major in political science.

Sneha Kamath

Sneha Kamath is a senior at Maumee Valley Country Day School. A large source of her inspiration to speak at this year’s TEDxMaumeeValleyCountryDaySchool event is to further develop her public speaking skills as she plans to pursue a degree in communications after graduating from high school. While she is unsure of which school she will be attending, she hopes her future will entail more opportunities similar to TEDx, which will allow her to share what she is passionate about through both writing and speaking.

Sumaer Brar

Sumaer Brar is a junior at Maumee Valley Country Day School. He spends his time participating in speech and debate, Model UN, and plays basketball. His talk will be about willful ignorance and how people choose to listen to what they agree with. He hopes to see you all there at his talk!