Theme: Coming Alive

In this live event, our wide array of student and adult speakers will tackle the theme "Coming Alive" and how we can make a positive impact by fully engaging ourselves and the world.

Journey - 3:00-3:45
Sena Uctuk: "Are You Unsatisfied? That's Good!"
Sandhya Oaks: "Awakening to my Name"
Chris Bruno: "Restory: How to Live Your Truest Story"

Reborn - 4:00-4:45
Payten Nichols: "Thank an Ag Teacher"
Chris Thompson: "Influencer is a Verb"
Ryan Rouillard: "Flexible Journey: How Embracing Growth Changed My Life"

Growth - 5:00-5:45
Katherine Noce: "A Case for Logic"
Kim Ulrich-Suss: "Coming Alive in the Grass"
Kaden Forsha: "Embracing Obstacles: How American Ninja Warrior Helped Me Embrace My Dyslexia and ADHD"

Livestream the event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-HtGyAp0kM&feature=youtu.be

Live Event
4424 Innovation Dr.
Fort Collins, Colorado, 80525
United States

Chris Bruno

Speech topic: You don't just tell stories, you ARE a story. We are shaped by the stories we live, and far too often find ourselves stuck in a story not our own. ReStory is the process by which we dislodge ourselves and reimagine a new narrative in which we are free, more true, and come alive.

Chris Bruno is the Founder and CEO of Restoration Project, a non-profit committed to challenging men to transform their family trees by being intentional and present fathers. He is also a licensed professional counselor and the Founder and CEO of Restoration Counseling, leading a growing multi-disciplinary and national team of therapists, counselors, coaches and specialists. He is the author of Man Maker Project: Boys are Born, Men are Made and the Brotherhood Primer. Married for 25 years and father of 3 almost-adult children, he enjoys mountains, rivers, and hammocks.

Chris Thompson

Speech topic: Youtuber. TikToker. Influencer. But do we need followers to impact others?

Chris Thompson has been a content creator online since the birth of Youtube. Anything from music, to skits, then eventually settling on motivational subjects. He now speaks to people trying to get their foot in that industry. He teaches them how to become successful while remaining authentic and creating a positive impact.

Kaden Forsha

Speech topic: How finding my passion, American Ninja Warrior, has helped me to embrace the obstacles in my life, dyslexia and ADHD, and how embracing obstacles has made me better at my passion.

You might recognize Kaden Forsha as The Chatterbox Ninja from both seasons of the TV show American Ninja Warrior Junior where he finished in the top 8 of all competitors in his age group. He is 11 years old and in 6th grade. Kaden has ADHD and dyslexia and he uses his passion, American Ninja Warrior training to embrace all the other obstacles in his life. He has made a choice to see his dyslexia and ADHD as his superpowers and that makes him feel like he has "Come Alive". Kaden loves public speaking and has performed many speeches including speaking at the Colorado State Capital on several occasions.

Katherine Noce

Speech topic: Why don't they teach logic in these schools?! Here's every reason why they should.

Katherine Noce is a highschool senior, who has played varsity basketball and run long distance track for almost four years but for many years also enjoyed singing in an honor choir. Katherine spent her lockdown teaching herself basic guitar and sewing as well as working on her sketching and watercolors. She works as a lifeguard at a local pool during the summers but in the school year, she focuses on her studies and her sports. What really makes her come alive, though, is her writing. Katherine is currently working on a manuscript for a novel and has finished several short stories. She is thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of TEDx, and can’t wait for November 2nd!

Kim Ulrich-Suss

Speech topic: Sometimes, nature works better than drugs. Kim speaks on the benefits of nature on our psychology.

Kim Ulrich-Suss has a Masters in Counseling Psychology and has worked as a teacher, personal counselor and coach for the last 38 years. Her successful coaching career will culminate this April, 2021 with an induction into the Arizona HS Coaches Hall of Fame. Additionally, her resume includes 10 years of leading teenagers on summer wilderness trips and currently Women's nature retreats, as well as Life and Peak Performance Coaching.

Payten Nichols

Speech topic: Payten speaks on the issues surrounding the public's lack of agricultural knowledge, and why agricultural education is the key to advancing the world's oldest industry.

Payten Nichols is a senior at Windsor High School, graduating in 2021 and hoping to major in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Education. She is involved as the president of Windsor High School's FFA chapter, as well as participating in varsity track, high school swimming, rodeo, and working for her family's auction company. According to Payten, advocating for the things that she's passionate about, as well as having the ability and the privilege to educate future generations, is definitely what makes her come alive.

Ryan Rouillard

Speech topic: How embracing growth in my life opened up new pathways, and how you can learn to embrace change, too.

Ryan Rouillard, 26, is an EMT with AMR Denver. His conversion to EMS is recent, though, having spent the previous seven years as a baseball broadcaster. He grew up in the Seattle area, attended the University of Oregon, and lived four years in Dallas before moving to Fort Collins, CO in the fall of 2019. When he’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with Brynn and Bryan (his girlfriend and his bike), cooking, and reading. He comes alive most when experiencing or trying new things.

Sandhya Oaks

Speech topic: This is a transracial adoptee's story of discovery and radical transformation.

Sandhya is a speaker, advocate and co-founder of The Adoption Triad. Born in India and adopted at age one, Sandhya attributes her resilient personality, defiant hope, and love for the outdoors to her Midwest upbringing. Sandhya has been on staff with Cru for more than 12 years and also serves with The Lenses Institute. She is fiercely committed to guiding people towards freedom through story narrative work, loves developing the next generation of leaders through intentional mentorship, and has a craving for adventure both near and far! Sandhya's favorites include sipping Americanos, indulging in tasty charcuterie boards, and eating giant bowls of popcorn.

Sena Uctuk

Speech topic: Dissatisfaction is a common emotion many people experience. Sena explores why it is important to pursue satisfaction and the things we can do to ensure success.

Sena is currently in her senior year of high school. As of now, she spends most of her time procrastinating college applications and enjoying a nice tea to treat herself because she gets stressed from all the amount of work she must do. Sena is a philanthropist and enjoys teaching others about preventing suicide and bullying, as well as ending the stigma surrounding mental health. Learning about personality, and mental health are 2 things she loves to research and listen to videos about while she crochets or crafts. She loves listening to Ted talks so much, she was like “I’m going to have to be a part of this” and here we are. Public speaking and helping others are some of the things that make her Come Alive.