It’s critical that today’s youth—the leaders of tomorrow—find new opportunities to engage with the world around them. To that end, TEDxJacksonville hosted TEDxYouth@Jacksonville, its first conference designed for area high school students. We’re excited to help students from an array of local schools harness their energy, creativity and enthusiasm into a unique event that brings ideas worth spreading to all ages. Working alongside TEDxJacksonville’s own volunteer team, student leaders planned every element of the event, from performer and speaker selection, coaching and team development, social media and marketing efforts, tech and stage design, and overall conference organization.
The TEDxYouth@Jacksonville conference featured six speakers and one performer, The Raines High School Marching Band “Sound of Experience. It took place Tuesday, March 3rd, at the Florida Blue Conference Center.
SPEAKERS
Jabrea Ali
Stop The Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma. You Matter.
Jabrea is a high school senior. She also is the President of her school’s Black Student Caucus, a member of the National Honor Society and Golden Eagle (School) Ambassador. Jabrea also participates in the Student Government Association as a 12th-grade Representative. Outside of school, she plays for the United Soccer Alliance, a team in the United States Soccer Federation Developmental Academy. After high school, she plans to attend Howard University and major in Psychology, and then to pursue a Ph.D. in that field. In her talk, Jabrea discussed the three steps in self-transparency that can improve mental health among our youth. Watch Jabrea’s talk.
Mario Barrozo
The American Education System Needs to Change
Mario is a high school junior and an aspiring doctor. He is active in and holds leadership roles in numerous school clubs, including Key Club, Chief Executive Student Ambassador, Great Decisions Club, and National Spanish Honor Society. Additionally, Mario is an alumnus of Youth Leadership Jacksonville, a program that fosters connections with local leaders and promotes leadership skills in students across Northeast Florida. Mario has completed over 400 hours of community service with various Jacksonville organizations. In his talk, Mario proposes solutions for how the American education system can be changed to be better aligned with the highly productive education models used in other countries. Watch Mario’s talk.
Aidan Chau
A Solution to Climate Change: Algae
Aidan is a high school junior. Formerly the principal clarinetist at the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, Aidan is also the founder and CEO of Artfully Green, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness for climate change through art and conducts climate change research. Aidan sees an opportunity for humanity to take a step in the right direction against climate change. In his talk, Aidan discusses how algae might serve as a potential solution to climate change along with many other practical applications. Watch Aidan’s talk.
Jessica Malosh
Interconnected, Yet Lonely–Rethink Social Media Posts
Jessica is a high school sophomore. She is on her school’s Cross Country and Track teams and is a member of the Spanish Honor society. Jessica’s academic interests are diverse: she enjoys psychology, chemistry, and journalism. Through her involvement in Youth Leadership Jacksonville, she discovered an interest in public policy and inspiration to make positive environmental and social changes in her community. She volunteers at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and Willow Branch Library. She also has created and edited a yearbook to raise funds for the Florida Ballet, where she danced prior to becoming a runner. In her talk, Jessica discusses how the constant interconnectivity fostered by today’s social platforms comes at a cost; she argues that by consciously posting more inclusive content, teenagers can relieve feelings of isolation and decrease instances of depression. Watch Jessica’s talk.
Winston Seabrooks
Bringing Hope and Pride Back to Your Inner City School
Winston is a high school junior. He is the President of his class and volunteers in his community. He plans to attend college at Florida A&M University and is interested in studying law. In his talk, Winston discusses how to bring pride back into his inner city school and motivate its students to take the lead on projects big and small. Watch Winston’s talk.
Zariah Swanigan
Zariah is a high school senior. She is co-vice president of her school’s Tea and Poetry club and enjoys writing poetry in her free time. Although she is an identical twin, Zariah likes to embrace her unique qualities and is fascinated by different languages, societies, and cultures. After graduation, she plans to attend college as a double-major in Criminology and Musical Theatre. In her talk, Zariah discusses how negative labels and stereotypes impact our youth. Watch Zariah’s talk.
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
TICKETS
Student tickets (must show high school ID at event): Free
General adult admission tickets: $25
Tickets may be purchased through Eventbrite.
SCHEDULE
9-9:30 a.m. Registration
9:30 a.m. Welcome & Session 1
10:30 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. Session 2
1:00 p.m. Close
1:30 p.m. Buses load to return students to select schools
FOOD
Conference attendees will enjoy an Italian buffet.
LOCATION
The Florida Blue Conference Center is located at 4800 Deerwood Campus Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32246. Parking is free and signage will direct attendees to the conference center.