Theme: Limitless

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).

TEDxOrangeCountySchooloftheArts
1010 N Main St
Santa Ana, California, 92701
United States

Angel Shen

Student

Angel Shen is a junior in Classical voice. She enjoys exploring various interests in life, whether it's the arts, music, or behind-the-scenes production. Coming to the US at the age of 11, she adeptly navigated the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, all the while enthusiastically pursuing her passion for promoting Chinese culture and the arts. As one delves deeper into Angel's diverse pursuits, they can anticipate an unfolding narrative of creativity, resilience, and cultural celebration.

Eddie Chen

Student

"Eddie Chen is a senior in the Integrated Arts Conservatory and Ballroom Dance Conservatory of OCSA. He is a 2023 National YoungArts Finalist in Hip Hop Dance, current 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts nominee, and president of Two Step Together, his dance community initiative which has impacted over 600 students. He specializes in the dance forms of popping, isolations, and Latin dance, and he enjoys freestyling and training in his backyard. Outside of dance, Eddie advocates for compassion and connection as a United Nations Youth Delegate for an international humanitarian organization.

Grace Li

Student

Grace Li is a 7th grader in Commercial Dance. Her favorite styles are contemporary and modern. When she's not at the dance studio, Grace loves creating art, swimming, building legos, listening to music, and spontaneously redecorating. Lastly, she would like to give a shoutout to her cat, Sesame, her family, and her earbuds.

Iris Wang

Student

Iris Wang is currently a junior in the Creative Writing conservatory. Iris is a proud recipient of a Scholastic Silver Key award and spends a good amount of her time competing in speech competitions. Though, in her free time, Iris enjoys staying at home and petting her cats.

Kaya Sparnicht

Student

"Kaya Sparnicht is a junior in the Acting Conservatory at OCSA, where she has been a part of 14 productions. She especially loves Shakespeare and comedy. She is also a slam poet and part of the Get Lit Players, a competitive slam poetry troupe in Downtown Los Angeles, which promotes teen literacy through performance poetry. For Kaya, writing and performing poetry is a powerful way to process emotions and connect with others. She believes that everyone has an inner poet, they just need the key to unlock it.

Lucy Hunter

Student

"Lucy Hunter is a sophomore in Film and Television, she has been writing her television show, ""You Should Be Dead"" for three years. Lucy has been dedicated to filmmaking since her father introduced her to the horror genre when she was six. Alongside filmmaking, she has a passion for learning and public-speaking on topics that involve her creative passions.

Olivia Le

Student

Olivia Le is a Junior in creative writing. Her time is spent in spoken word, dance, family, crochet, and caring for houseplants. She is a Vietnamese American who loves travel, food, matcha, and coffee and is passionate about environmental justice and marine science. Inspired by her instructor’s research at a marine science summer program, she wrote a poem incorporating it with the ideas of legacy and generational trauma which then shaped her TEDx talk, Change is a Whale Fall.

Rebecca Yang

Student

"Rebecca Yang is a freshman in Creative Writing. She loves to explore new things, especially different forms of writing, and is open to trying anything (as long as you include free food in the deal). This translates over to her talk, as she details the dangers of sticking to familiar beliefs and how that forms an echo chamber---a bubble---with its effects in our day to day life. But bubbles are a very common thing and with a few simple steps, Rebecca explains how it's possible for us to burst them.

Sarina Marzbani

Student

Sarina Marzbani is a freshman in the Creative Writing Conservatory. As a writer, she enjoys writing about her experiences through various forms so, hopefully, someone can relate and feel seen. Sarina believes in the power literature and media have on creating social change. When she is not writing or reading, Sarina can be found watching sitcom reruns, journaling, or taking personality quizzes to find out what bread she is (she is brioche).

Shijoon Bae

Student

Shijoon Bae is a junior in the Creative Writing Conservatory with an undying commitment to spreading awareness on mental health. His unique journey has only fueled his determination to share his story; through his work, he hopes to change the lives of others—acting as a spark of light in a dark yet beautiful world. In his daily life, he loves to read and involve himself with all things nature—from fishing all the way to writing near lakes and forests.

Sydney Noelle Haik

Student

Sydney Noelle Haik is a senior in the Creative Writing and Popular Music conservatories. She is an aspiring songwriter and singer of various local bands. She has had the opportunity to play at venues like the Whiskey A Go Go, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and was featured in the children's choir for the Black Eyed Peas single "Where is the Love".

Vedant Dayal

Student

Vedant Dayal is a Junior in Creative Writing. Vedant enjoys playing the guitar, rewatching “Real Steel,” and walking his white labrador, Fudge. He’s always had a drive for STEM, starting from the humble beginnings of a Lego Ninjago set. Watching "Real Steel" as a child ignited a particular passion for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence that he still carries with him today—one he would like to share with you tonight.