Students Deliver Speeches at TEDx Night

The auditorium lights dimmed on the night of March 7 as TEDxUnionvilleHS once again took the stage—an annual tradition that transforms the high school into a hub where students spread ideas worth sharing. TEDxUnionvilleHS is a student-led event affiliated with TEDx. As a high school club, TEDx provides students with the opportunity to write, memorize, and present a topic of their choice, showcasing the impact that they have made within the community.

The theme of this year’s event, “Cultivating Connection,” emphasizes the importance of human connection and fostering a strong sense of community, whether local, in school, or in a club. The success of TEDx fundamentally relies on the students themselves. Since the fall, TEDx Lead Curators, seniors Angelina Zhang and Muna Ikeme, along with leadership board members, junior Tiffany He, junior Mia Nie, and sophomore Eric Zhang, and club advisor Sue Matz, have prepared for the event by reviewing dozens of speaker applications, reaching out to potential guest speakers, and mentoring the student speakers. The leadership team works closely with the speakers to refine rough drafts and rehearse presentations during lunch.

“The TEDx event also allowed me to expand on my public speaking skills in a more professional environment,” said speaker Mahima Basker. Speeches ranged from five to fifteen minutes, with a rich array of topics, highlighting TEDx as an accessible platform that allows students to share their own stories and personal passions. The event featured six student speakers and one guest speaker representing Kennett Area Community Service (KACS). Talks included AI art, the magic of movie theaters, and the power of expectations, among others.

Basker reflects on why she was eager to try out for TEDx: “As someone who has always loved watching TED talks, getting a chance to share my opinions on a topic I’m very passionate about, movie theaters, was a great experience!” Her speech explored the magic of movie theaters, captivating the audience with her calm delivery and clear passion for the subject. Drawing on her personal experience, Mahima shared unique insights on why it is important to save cinemas and to slow down in everyday life. As the event comes to a close, TEDxUnionvilleHS once again demonstrated the power of student-driven ideas, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of curiosity and inspiration for the year ahead by building one connection at a time.