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).

Santiago High School
1395 Foothill Prky
Corona, California, 92881
United States

Chisom Udeh

Student Speaker

Chisom will be talking about colorism, which is discrimination against skin tones. She wants to bring awareness to a topic that affects the African American community and what can be done to bring change for the better.

Gurnek Pahuja

Student+Speaker

Hello! my name is Gurnek Pahuja and I am a student at Santiago High School. Being a high school student, I have a special insight into education and wanted to provide my input on how to improve it. The world revolves around education. It prepares future generations to build on the work of prior generations and advance humanity; however, the current education system does not motivate students to discover who they are. Instead, it emphasizes complacency. Education must adapt to the needs of students in order to create a better tomorrow.

Julian Regli

Student

Julian Regli is a senior at Santiago High School and is planning to study Ecology & Evolution at UC Santa Cruz. Julian is the head drum major of the marching band and plays in both Santiago's festival winds band and jazz band. Julian edits for Santiago's news channel, "Shark TV" and is the treasurer of the Audio Visual Club.

Klarissa Palacios

Student Speaker

Klarissa Palacios is a rising freshman and Trustee Merit Scholar at the University of Southern California studying Pre-Law with a minor in Public Relations. After joining the Corona-Norco United Way Youth Board, a student-led 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the children and families of low-income and domestic violence within their school district.

Lorelei Tang

Student Speaker

Lorelei Tang is a distinguished scholar at Santiago High School. Enrolled in all AP classes and college courses, Lorelei is always up for a challenge and strives to be extraordinary. She was recently elected as the Inland Section president and California State vice president representing the Inland Section of Future Business Leaders of America. There, she leads her fellow officers and members to success and has won multiple awards at the section, state, and national levels. Lorelei is the president of multiple clubs on campus, including Partners in Health and Girl Up, the vice president of Mock Trial, and her school’s appointed Girls State delegate. Outside of school, she has won the title of national grand champion with her studio dance team, completed the highest level of the Certificate of Merit evaluation and competes as a pianist, and organized a project called “Cards for Connection” for senior homes and hospitals in her community.

Melisa Nguyen

Student Speaker

Melisa is an honors/AP student at Santiago High School. Ever since discovering a love for public speaking during freshman year, she has done FBLA and competed as part of the Speech & Debate team at her school. With a very deep passion for spreading Vietnamese culture, she has joined the school’s Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) to promote cultural representation within the student body. Melisa has utilized her leadership and communication skills to teach Vietnamese to kids within her church community as well as English (virtually) to kids in rural areas of Vietnam. She is also a part of Girl Up at her school and has been in California’s Student Council (CASC). During her free time, Melisa enjoys singing in her church’s youth choir, painting, reading, crocheting and learning about skincare! In giving out a summary of her whole life, Melisa realized a problem that was prevalent in all of the activities she’s done and people she met: a lack of deeper connection.

Michelle Quinonez

Student Speaker

Throughout the years, Michelle, with her prior experience as an ASB middle school president, has discovered her love of leadership and working with others. Now as a freshman at Santiago High School, Michelle is enthusiastic about discovering her passions and ambitions. Ever since a young age, Michelle Quinonez has always had a thirst for knowledge. She has always enjoyed reading from old English literature to current nonfiction books, she always pushes herself to learn more than what is needed. By doing so, she aspires to educate others as well. “Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.” -Robert Boyce “Knowledge is the evolution of the human mind.” -Michelle Quinonez

Nicole Hatton

Student Speaker

Nicole has been a part of the speech/debate team at Santiago since the beginning of her freshman year where she has competed in multiple original oratory and impromptu speaking competitions. She has also placed in the four way Speech Rotary Contest for persuasive speaking as well as the Dr. Dina Stallings Tournament for persuasive and impromptu speaking. You can also find Nicole dancing on Santiago’s hip hop team and leading in Key Club. This year, Nicole has served as Key Club President, division spirit team member in Key Club, speech vice president, and has been involved with a state leadership organization, CASL. After noticing how many people do things without the right intentions or to conform to standards, Nicole was inspired to do her TedX on authenticity. She feels people shouldn’t do things if the sole reason is to look good for college applications or for a resume. In her speech, she debunks what it really means to embrace your true self without the judgements of others.

Vaeh Nuñez

Student Speaker

Vaeh Nuñez is transitioning from high school Yearbook Editor-in-Chief to spiritual thought leader, light-worker, and entrepreneur. Topics of duality, yin and yang energy, and self development have been her topics of interest and research.