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).

American International School Riyadh
PO Box 5101
Riyadh, Ar Riyāḑ, 11422
Saudi Arabia

Alex Yeon

Student Speaker

Alex explores how our subconscious shapes our lives and identity, drawing parallels to the movie Inception. He highlights the significance of understanding this subconscious journey to develop a stronger sense of self and inner maturity. Alex was born in Florida, United States, and has lived in South Korea, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia, giving him broad exposure to diverse cultures. This unique upbringing has shaped his ability to view the world through multiple perspectives. Passionate about art—especially movies—Alex draws inspiration from cinema for his own creative projects. He also enjoys sharing his philosophical insights with others through media and art.

Amanda Hart

Educator + Speaker

Amanda reflects on navigating uncertainty and shares a personal story about the profound lessons she learned during an undefined period in her life. A Canadian educator, Amanda has lived in various countries, where she developed a rich worldview shaped by diverse cultures. She embraces growth and inspiration through her journey, from hiking the mountains of Geoje-do to exploring the bustling streets of Shanghai. Outside the classroom, Amanda enjoys hiking trails and discovering local cuisines.

Angel Wang

Student Speaker

Angel highlights the strengths of introversion, the dangers of isolation and bias against introverts, urging society to rethink how quieter individuals are perceived. Born in China, Angel left home at 8 and traveled to over 16 countries before settling in Saudi Arabia a year and a half ago. Her global journey and the cultural clashes she experienced as an introvert have deeply influenced her unique perspective on the world.

Charlotte Carswell

Student Speaker

Charlotte explores the purpose of education by examining some of the negative impacts of the school system and offering ideas for improvement. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Charlotte has lived in Riyadh for six years with her two brothers. A 9th-grade student, her favorite subjects are drama, art, and world history. She enjoys playing sports, participating in the school play, and spending time with friends. Inspired by murder documentaries and mystery books, Charlotte developed a fascination with psychology and forensic science, particularly understanding how a psychopath's mind works. She is passionate about public speaking, mental health, reading, cooking, and boba.

Derrick Jefferson

Educator + Speaker

In his TEDx Talk, Derrick tells a story about the importance of slowing down and being mindful. As an educator Derrick Jefferson is an educator who took the long way around. As a high school dropout, he learned many lessons the hard way and tries to use his experiences to help young people. Derrick started in the classroom and moved into counseling assisting students to find their voice, and relevance and always reminding them of their capability and worthiness.

Kammy Bahnan

Student Speaker

Kammy examines why certain creatures, like snakes, are unfairly disliked while others are glorified, influenced by media, books, and societal perceptions. From Palestine and the USA, Kammy is an animal enthusiast with a particular love for reptiles. At home, he cares for a dog and a ball python, advocating for reptiles' kindness and dispelling myths about them. His favorite subjects are math, humanities, and science, reflecting his love for the natural world. Outraged by the negative portrayal of snakes in movies, Kammy decided to use his advocacy skills to educate the world about these misconceptions through his TEDx Talk.

Katherine Shultz

Student Speaker

Katherine discusses how balancing media escapism with meaningful personal connections is essential, drawing on literature as an example. Born in the U.S., she moved to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2024 with her family, including two younger sisters, her parents, and two cats. Katherine enjoys studying botany, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Passionate about learning other perspectives through literature, she loves discussing books with friends. She is also an active member of the AIS-R Swim Team.

Khalid Al Sabawi

Student Speaker

Khalid addresses the challenges of expressing one’s identity and advocates for embracing and taking pride in it while respecting others' identities. Originally from Gaza, Palestine, Khalid was born in Riyadh and holds dual citizenship in both Australia and Canada, truly embodying global citizenship. A 12th-grade student at the American International School - Riyadh, Khalid aspires to become an engineer. He loves traveling to explore different cultures and broaden his horizons. His passions also include football and videography, through which he captures the beauty of the world.

Laura Banyacski-Correia

Student Speaker

Laura discusses the importance of celebrating others’ achievements—even when they represent goals we wished to accomplish ourselves—and how this mindset can create positive change in both our lives and relationships. Originally from Hungary and Portugal, Laura Banyacski-Correia, 13 years old, is currently living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She is passionate about MUN, volleyball, piano, and writing. A dedicated and adventurous student, Laura thrives on taking on challenges and trying new things. She has achieved and won many accolades but has also experienced losing to her peers. These experiences have taught her the significance of finding joy in others’ successes, even when faced with personal disappointment.

Mariam Shaikh

Student Speaker

Mariam expresses the importance of selfishness and shares her journey of discovering how prioritizing oneself can lead to self-fulfillment. Mariam has lived in Riyadh her entire life, spending 12 years at the American International School - Riyadh. She is an 11th grader taking three IB courses, with a strong passion for MUN and politics, aspiring to become a lawyer. After facing two challenging years in high school, she recognized the importance of shifting her mindset to prioritize her needs and well-being. Mariam is excited to share these insights with the TEDx audience.

Mayar Khoury

Originally from Lebanon, he has lived in Riyadh for the past nine years, offering a multicultural lens to digital-age challenges. A 12th-grade student with a passion for Biology, Economics, and English, Mayar also enjoys photography and exploring the outdoors. He finds inspiration in travel, learning from different cultures, and reflecting on how technology shapes global interactions. Through his TEDx Talk, Mayar hopes to spark conversations about navigating the complexities of our ever-evolving digital reality.

Nickolas Hironao Harris

Educator + Speaker

Nick explores the meaning of “home” through his experiences as a half-Japanese, half-American individual. Born in Tokyo to an American father and Japanese mother, he spent over two months annually in the U.S., yet often felt disconnected both in Japan and in the USA. A sense of belonging came only at his international school, The American School in Japan (ASIJ). Nick has taught in Bahrain, Japan, Honduras, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, enriching his teaching philosophy and cultural awareness.

Sean Walmsley

Educator + Speaker

Sean has always been fascinated by storytelling. He shares key experiences with storytelling in his TEDx Talk and discusses why it’s so important to him, his family, and for human connection. Sean is an international educator who has worked in various countries for over two decades. He is passionate about building community and creating large-scale performance opportunities for his students. He believes his role as an educator is to help students learn about themselves, each other, and the world, with the hope of fostering an open-minded, inclusive, and kind future.

Wali Hoque

Student Speaker

Wali shares his journey of being placed on an individualized education plan (IEP) at a young age and how he overcame the academic challenges associated with it through perseverance and determination. Wali was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and raised in Upstate New York. Early in his education, he was seen as different by traditional academic standards and often pulled from regular classes for extra support in occupational, physical, speech, and general education. While this created a stereotype of needing additional help, Wali turned it into motivation—working harder and studying longer than his peers on material that came more easily to others. His persistence led to the removal of his IEP, and he was later recommended for the Math Honors program, where he has maintained an impressive average of 94% or above.

Yara Iskandarani

Student Speaker

Yara shares her TEDx journey with the core message: “Be yourself.” She emphasizes that embracing this often-overlooked idea is key to living a fulfilled and happy life. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, raised in Dubai, and moving to Saudi Arabia at the age of 9, Yara has always been a confident and talkative individual. Inspired by the power of her voice, she developed a passion for public speaking. Despite facing criticism for her authenticity, she realized that staying true to herself is a source of strength and empowerment.

Yaseen Gamaleldeen

Student Speaker

Yaseen takes us through his volatile journey in investing in stocks, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs, sharing key lessons he learned along the way. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Yaseen has lived in several countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Vietnam, and Malaysia. He has a younger brother in 9th grade and enjoys playing competitive soccer in his free time. Yaseen has extended his competitive nature to the world of finance, studying investment strategies and honing his skills. These experiences are helping him pursue his dream of becoming an investment banker.

Youssef Mokhtar

Student Speaker

Youssef delves into how films and shows have profoundly shaped his identity and emphasizes the value of watching media with greater awareness. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Youssef has lived in Riyadh for the past 13 years with his twin brothers. A 12th-grade senior, he enjoys subjects like Psychology, Theater, and English. Youssef loves watching movies, writing stories, and exploring psychological theories about human behavior. Passionate about fitness, he goes to the gym and plays basketball regularly. He values meaningful interactions with others, using them as opportunities to help people grow. Through this TEDx Talk, Youssef hopes to help the audience discover more about themselves.