Theme: TEDx X 10 Years of TEDx at SRDS

This event takes place on our Saddle River Day School campus in Saddle River, NJ. We are an independent, PreK3-12th grade school and this is our 10th year running this event for grades 5-12 and faculty. Our speakers are students from our TEDx club, in grades 8-12. We also invite two keynote speakers, one is usually a faculty member and the other often someone in the community under age 30.

Laura Hollis
147 Chestnut Ridge Rd
Saddle River, New Jersey, 07458
United States

Alexandra Baro

English Teacher

Alex Baro is an Upper School English teacher at Saddle River Day School. Her love of old books and big questions drove her to pursue graduate work in Classical Studies at UCLA, where she focused on ancient philosophy and poetry. Plato changed her life and, in her first TED Talk (“Philosophy is Dangerous”), she’s going to tell you how he might change yours.

Annabelle Harrison

Student Speaker

Annabelle Harrison is a junior attending her third year at SRDS. She enjoys playing instruments such as the electric guitar and drums, writing, playing sports like soccer and basketball, and has a passion for political science, government, and sociology. In her second TED Talk, Annabelle is excited to talk about the phenomenon of mob mentality and how it has affected society.

Cameron Alvaro

Student Speaker

Cameron Alvaro is a sophomore attending her second year at SRDS. She loves playing volleyball during the fall, theater in the spring, and traveling anywhere she can during the summer! Cameron also has a passion for debating and understanding why things happen the way they do. This is her first Ted Talk and she is ecstatic for the opportunity to discuss her three-step plan for winning an argument!

Faith Williamson

Student Speaker

Faith is a junior attending her 3rd year at Saddle River Day School. Among Faith’s favorite activities are playing basketball, reading, and hanging out with her family and friends. She is the SRDS Student Body President and is also involved in the Chem Club and Quiz Bowl Team. She’s excited to give her first TED Talk on the ethics of genetic engineering, the potential dangers associated with it, and how we can employ this technology in the most positive way possible.

Hailey Murphy

Student Speaker

Hailey is a sophomore at SRDS attending her 2nd year here. Some of her hobbies include acting, singing, stage management, and traveling. She is excited to share her talk on Overthinking and hopes you enjoy it. Thank you for coming!

Jennifer Maylath

English Teacher

Jen Maylath is an English teacher, Dean of Students, and Cross Country/Track coach at Saddle River Day School. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, playing with her 200 pound Irish wolfhound, and giving her two teenage sons a hard time. She is excited to give her second Ted Talk the day after competing in this year’s Boston Marathon.

Josephine Brooks

Student Speaker

Josephine Brooks is a sophomore attending her third year at SRDS. She enjoys playing volleyball and the oboe, and has a passion for science and sustainability. Josephine is excited to give her third TED Talk entitled “Taking Flight into the Future; How Drones are Transforming Science,” which explores how new technical innovations can benefit society.

Mason Lusk

Student Speaker

Mason Lusk is a sophomore in his 4th year at SRDS. He enjoys skiing, sailing, and seeing new places, and has a passion for both political science and the climate. In the past, he has given TEDx Talks about Coral Reef Conservation and Nuclear Energy. This year, for his 3rd talk, he will be speaking about the true “cost” (climate impact) of travel and how we can all travel sustainably.

Michael Pasenchuck

Student Speaker

Michael Pasenchuk is a senior attending his seventh year at Saddle River Day School. He enjoys writing, film, skiing, exploring the outdoors, tennis, and anything relating to the Ocean. His interest in the Ocean is why his second Ted talk is about some of the Ocean’s many mysteries.

Valentina Vasquez

Student Speaker

Valentina Vasquez is a sophomore attending Saddle River Day School. In her free time she enjoys listening to music, painting, reading, and spending time with her family. This is Valentina's first year giving a talk and she is very excited. Valentina's love for science and medicine prompted her to talk about stem cells and their use in regenerative medicine.