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).

York School Gatanaga Theatre
9501 York Road, Monterey, CA, United States
9501 York Road
Monterey, California, 93940
United States

Bryan Kim

Student Speaker

Bryan Kim is a senior who is dedicated to his lifelong hobby of music. He is excited to give a short TEDx talk about how he models his living after the drums and provide music during breaks of the show. When not playing music, you can find Bryan lifting weights, playing basketball or tennis, or debating over sports with his friends.

Candi Deschamps

Faculty Speaker

Candi Deschamps is the Chair of the Humanities Department at York School. Before joining York, Ms. Deschamps lived in New York City for eighteen years, where she worked for various arts organizations and soaked in a lot of life before becoming an English teacher. Beyond the classroom, she is a writer of fiction and memoir, and she is passionate about many topics, including sobriety, the criminal justice system, and Lana Del Rey. Ms. Deschamps lives in Marina with one spouse, two children, and three pets.

Dr. Kim Stone

Community Member

Kim Stone is a proud alumna of York School '99. After graduating from York, Kim attended Stanford where she majored in Human Biology as a premed student, and competed in the high jump on the track team. Kim now lives in the Bay Area with her husband and 2 boys, where they hike, bike, and frolic near Stanford where she works as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery. Kim's area of clinical expertise is in the treatment of breast cancer, and she is looking forward to sharing with you her journey.

Elizabeth Siva

Student Community Member

Elizabeth Siva is a junior at Palo Alto Senior High School. She’s passionate about mathematics and public policy and has a pet dog, Sandie. Over her high school career, she’s taken several university level math courses, and is a passionate advocate for mathematics policy. In her free time, she enjoys classic literature, choir, baking, and running. She’s excited to share her journey in mathematics!

Ja’Khiah McMillian

Student Speaker

Ja’Khiah is 17 years old and in the 11th grade. Her hobbies are sleeping and eating while always watching tv. She also enjoys crime shows and hopes to become a lawyer one day attending FAMU. Through the loss of her grandma, Josephine, she went through trials and tribulations at a young age and hopes to further find herself through her grief and her future career.

Justin Robles Parra

Student Speaker

Justin is 17 years old and is in the 11th grade. Some of his hobbies are deep thinking and building Legos. He also likes to meet and learn about new people. He tries to take opportunities that will help his future, like public speaking. Justin likes to volunteer and am the founder of York’s Service learning club.

Xinyao Zhang

Student Speaker

Xinyao (Shīn-yáo), a junior at York and an international student from Hangzhou, China, is thrilled to take the stage at TEDxYorkSchool 2025 to share her journey of navigating the delicate balance between seeking external validation and pursuing her true passions. A passionate adventurer who embraces new challenges, Xinyao made her musical theater debut last year as Constance Blackwood in Ride the Cyclone and will be returning to the stage this year as Fantine in Les Misérables. Outside the theater, she is a dedicated artist and serious academic who spent her last summer immersed in the study of biology and human physiology. With her love for spreading positivity, Xinyao hopes to inspire and uplift you tonight!

Yolanda Chen

Student Speaker

Yolanda, a senior student, artist, tennis player, a Chinese girl, a daughter, and granddaughter, is excited to take the stage at TEDx 2025. With a deep love for animals, trees, fossils, food, writing, and cherished moments with loved ones, her life is rich with exciting adventures and treasured memories that have shaped who she is. Through the adventure stories about her life and her grandfather's, she will embark on a journey of self-discovery, exploring the essence of who she truly is.