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).

Carlmont High School Performing Arts Center
1400 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont, California, 94002
United States

Avantika Swaminathan

Language Enthusiast

Avantika Swaminathan is a high school senior at Carlmont High. She is an aspiring opera singer who will study voice in college. She hopes to touch people’s hearts and put a smile on people’s faces with her singing. Her TED talk, "TV Taught Me Norwegian: and other adventures in language” will explore how a burgeoning love of media and TV during shelter-in-place spurred her to explore Norwegian. She shares that access to different languages and regional programs through media provides opportunities to appreciate other cultures and find commonalities and connection between each-other. She will explore how new tech and AI have changed how we experience different languages. She challenges us all to take a pause and ponder about which language and culture we are going to explore next.

Daivik Vennela

Student

As a junior at Carlmont High School Daivik enjoys playing baseball, traveling and watching TV. Being a student athlete Daivik works hard to achieve his goals on and off the field. As an avid bay area sports fan he likes to attend games at Oracle Park, Levi Stadium and Chase Center. Daivik hopes to be a part of neuroengineering and push the limits of our brains.

Jasneh Sasan

Student

Jasneh Sasan is a student at Carlmont High School. She enjoys dabbling in politics, pop culture, and social justice. She participates in Speech and Debate and has become a budding journalist. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in International Relations and diplomacy. Through her TEDx Talk, she hopes to encourage audiences to think deeply about political topics and social activism.

Mirabella Villanueva

Barista

My name is Mirabella Villanueva, I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life and consider myself to be a fashion loving artist who also loves rap, hip hop, and indie music. I plan on becoming a fashion journalist for my future career, and I hope to continue to pursue public speaking as I grow up to share my story.

Rohan Haldankar

Student

Rohan talks about the importance of not letting fear control one’s life. He speaks about his own personal stories and experiences and how that’s shaped him to better deal with his fears and become a better person. Rohan Haldankar is a junior at Carlmont High School. He loves to play sports, listen to music, and hang out with friends.