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).

Cathedral Catholic High School Theatre
5555 Del Mar Heights Road
San Diego, California, 92130
United States

Aaron Martinez

Aaron Martinez is an educator and advocate dedicated to transforming classrooms through creativity and play. Through inclusive education practices and innovative pedagogy, he inspires students and educators alike to embrace learning with joy and curiosity.

Annie Verkoczy

Annie Verkoczy is a junior at Cathedral Catholic High School. She serves as the founder and student director of the CCHS Jazz Ensemble, a member of the Mock Trial Team, a member of the National Honor Society, and has completed over 200 hours of community service. Annie is a passionate jazz pianist, playing with various ensembles in San Diego. She was recently selected in a nationwide search to be the sole pianist as part of the Next Generation Women in Jazz National Ensemble, playing at the Monterey Jazz Festival in the fall of 2025.

Georgia Brennan

Georgia Brennan, a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School, has a deep passion for public speaking. She participated in speaking competitions in her early years at St. Hilary School, starting at the age of five and winning for three years in a row. After transferring to two different middle schools, Georgia found that many students struggled with public speaking, something which all kids felt comfortable with at her past school. Noticing this gap, she realized the importance of every child being taught public speaking in school. She was additionally a featured speaker at Cathedral Catholic’s Poetry Under the Stars event, where she shared: “A Fragment of Fiction.”

James McCabe

James McCabe is a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School who loves writing, music, and tennis. He is a member of the school’s Music, Drama, and English honor societies and strives to promote creativity and individuality.

Jon Price

Jon Price, a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, enjoys piano, fencing, and working with technology. He is currently a member of the school’s robotics team and has seen firsthand the impact of AI on both his school and daily life.

Lukas Pascual-Gonzalez

Lukas Pascual-Gonzalez is a junior at Cathedral Catholic High School who is deeply involved in student life, as an ASB captain, President of the Hispanic Latino Student Union, and a Junior Leader of the Dons For Life Club. Through this, he gained a unique perspective on the pressure faced by his peers. Through his experiences on campus, he recognized how privilege often brings silent expectations that shape how students define success. Inspired by what he saw around him, he felt compelled to spark a conversation on an issue many experience, but few openly discuss.

Luna Smith

Luna Smith is a recent graduate from Cathedral Catholic High School and incoming freshman at UCLA. Committed to protecting the planet, Luna has actively worked as a Citizen Science Surveyor on Catalina island, combining her love for the outdoors with scientific inquiry. She hopes to encourage experiential learning as a powerful tool to make meaningful change in the world.

Marin Sougias

Marin Sougias is a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School and a competitive volleyball player. She was born with a limb difference; she is missing three and a half fingers on her left hand. Through her journey, she’s gained insight into how others perceive difference and the discomfort they sometimes feel in asking questions. In her TEDx Talk, Marin shares her experience with vulnerability, confidence, and the power of open, respectful dialogue in fostering understanding and acceptance.

Nate Lyons

Nate Lyons is a Sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School who finds fulfillment through Speech and Debate, Beach Volleyball, and most importantly, his friends.

Olivia Farmer

Olivia Farmer is a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School and a dedicated competitive dancer, performing on two elite dance teams. Immersed in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of competitive dance, Olivia knows firsthand how easy it is to fall into negative self-comparison. Through her talk, she hopes to inspire her peers to shift their mindset—viewing social comparison not as a source of self-doubt, but as a powerful tool for growth, motivation, and personal success.

Sam Alioto

Sam Alioto is a young musician and a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School. He has loved music ever since he was a kid, and plays the drums along with other instruments.

Sophia Miyamoto

Sophia Miyamoto is a student-athlete, speaker, and rising youth advocate from Rancho Santa Fe, California. As a freshman at Cathedral Catholic High School, she shines as one of the top players on the Varsity Tennis Team and competes in high-level tournaments throughout the year. She has also served as a ball girl at the Rancho Santa Fe Open, deepening her love for the sport and its community. Sophia’s passion extends beyond the court. After witnessing and personally experiencing the damaging effects of excessive parental pressure in youth sports, she launched Positive Parental Power, a movement advocating for more compassionate, encouraging, and supportive environments for young athletes. With fearless honesty and a powerful voice, Sophia speaks up for a generation of youth who deserve to feel seen, heard, and uplifted on and off the field of play.

Valentina Madrazo

Valentina Madrazo, a student at Cathedral Catholic, has lived in various countries throughout her life—including Germany, where a culturally ingrained emphasis on childhood autonomy left a lasting impact. Whether it was taking public transportation alone, resolving conflicts without adult involvement, or making meaningful decisions from a young age, these experiences sparked her fascination with how independence shapes personal growth.