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).

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child
44 Blackburn Rd
Summit, New Jersey, 07901
United States

Anaïs Picciano

student

Anaïs is a sophomore at Oak Knoll and will be giving her second talk about social tendencies and how they hinder honest human connections. She was drawn to participate in the TEDx program due to her love of exploring multi-faceted topics and questioning everyday scenarios. As well as serving as TEDx co-president, she enjoys singing in Oak Knoll’s Ensemble, writing for the history magazine and participating in most Oak Knoll Art’s performances.

Cora Hsu-Laborde

student

Cora is a senior and a second-year TEDx member, delivering her first talk on a pressing issue affecting communities worldwide. Aside from TEDx she also serves as Senior Class President, President of the National History Day Club, Co-president of the Society of Black Scholars, and Co-chair of the Student Diversity Leadership Board. She joined TEDx to refine her public speaking skills and foster reciprocal learning within the club. In college, Cora plans to study business and chemical engineering.

Ellis Sobers

studnet

Ellis is in 8th grade at Oak Knoll and a first year member of Tedx. She chose to give her TedTalk on empathy and social interactions because of her interest in current events and the world around her. Aside from Tedx Club, Ellis is also an avid speller and reader and placed in the Regional Scripps Spelling Bee this year. She loves public speaking and writing, and found Tedx Club a great way to refine her presentation skills and learn from her peers.

Gianna Mazzoni

student

Gianna is a sophomore at Oak Knoll, and is participating in her first year in TEDx. Her talk is about the transfer of nervous energy into excitement, relating her experiences with competition dance. Gianna has danced competitively since elementary school, which prompted her to relate her talk to dance. Along with her involvement in TEDx, Gianna is on the Student Diversity Leadership Board, the Spring track team, and she is involved in many other clubs such as stem club and Italian club.

Margaret Curtis

student

Maggie is a sophomore at Oak Knoll and is so excited to be participating in her first year with TedXOakKnoll! Her debut talk, Celebrating Special Needs, is inspired by her younger cousin, Fiona, and her volunteer work with adults with special needs. She loves public speaking, so she jumped at the opportunity to join TEDx! Outside of TEDx, she is a leader in the Campus Ministry department at Oak Knoll and started the Liturgical Planning Committee. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with her friends, reading, baking, or spending time with her three brothers and yellow lab!

Vittoria Gentile

student

Vittoria is a sophomore at Oak Knoll School, and this is her first year presenting a TEDx speech. She is engaged in many clubs at Oak Knoll, including the Italian club and Yearbook. She decided to speak about the impacts of comparison because it has always been an issue she's struggled with and, through research, has found the lasting impacts of comparing yourself to someone who could either be more, less, or even the same amount fortunate than yourself.