Students sharing their passion and presenting their ideas.

4650 Bissonnet Street
Bellaire, Texas, 77401
United States

The Post Oak High School

Alex Donnenberg was born in Houston, Texas on August 21, 1998 to an American mother and Austrian father. Now I attend Post Oak High School, which I think is a great fit for me. Shiraz Ghauri was born in California. After Kindergarten Shiraz, and his family moved to Karachi, Pakistan. After completing 9th grade, his father decided to move him to Houston, Texas where he is further pursuing his education at the Post Oak High School. John Mellinger is a junior at the Post Oak High School. He is a state-champion cyclist and is currently training to compete in an Ironman Triathlon. John has grown up in Houston where his active hobbies have intermingled with the metropolitan infrastructure. Because of this, he has always been fascinated by transportation. His fascination has led him to start a school club devoted to converting gasoline-powered cars into electric vehicles. John enjoys mathematics and he thinking of pursuing a career in business or engineering.

Ahmad Hill

My name is Ahmad Hill and I am a 16-year-old student who attends Chinquapin Preparatory School. I have three loving parents: My mom, dad, and stepmom. Both my mom and dad work in education. My stepmom works in medicine. I would like to study film and media in college. I love being around people, experiencing new things, and really getting out of my comfort zone to learn about myself. I am outgoing and “boisterous,” as described by my teachers. My hobbies include playing sports, playing video games, and writing.

Alejandro Izaguirre

My name is Alejandro Izaguirre and I am a Junior at Chinquapin Preparatory School. I am 16 years old and I was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. I came to the United States with my parents and my older brother in 2003 and we’ve been living in Houston ever since. Over the past decade in the United States, I’ve grown so much and learned new things about myself. I learned that I am very passionate about stewardship and that I am a leader. I enjoy running and being in the outdoors. One of my favorite things to do is talk. Now when I say talk, I don’t mean in class. I mean having a conversation with someone about topics that are important to me such as the political issues we face in our society or simply about what I am passionate about. I tend to be a very outgoing person. I am always eager to participate. I aspire to major in International Relations and be an advocate for immigrants in the United States, helping them in the fight for their citizenship as I am currently in that fight.

Alexandria Gonzalez

My name is Alexandria Gonzalez. I have attended Duchesne since I was in pre-k. I have five other siblings in my family. love to taking pictures and traveling. I am also interested in many different pop culture subjects such as K-pop and anime. I am in debate, robotics, and cross country team at school.

Alyssa Kapusta

Alyssa Kapusta is 14 years old and is currently in the eighth grade. She loves to read and loves to interact with animals. She lives in Houston, TX with her little brother, her mom, and her dad. Her life consists of fangirling with her friends, reading, drawing, painting, sleeping, and running. She has family all over the world and meets with them every year or so.

Anne Marie Bollman

My name is Anne Marie Bollman and I attend 7th grade at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. I have one younger sister who just turned six in October. I have been involved in extra-curricular music activities since kindergarten. In kindergarten, I started playing violin, and in first grade I started piano. When I was old enough to join choir at my church, I eagerly took the opportunity. In 4th grade, my church started a hand-bell choir, and I was one of the original members. I still play piano, attend choir, and play hand-bells, but sadly, violin has been put on hold. In 1st grade, I started playing soccer for Duchesne’s Jr. Dash sports. Currently, I am on the 7th grade soccer team. I have always been active at my church, and I always enjoy it when I have the opportunity to cantor at mass or play hand-bells.

Baley Metclaf

Baley Metclaf is a typical energetic 4th grader. He occupies much of his time outdoors with basketball, baseball, soccer, Lacrosse, indoors with Tae Kwon Do, and is in his 3rd year as a Cub Scout. His favorite subject (after PE) is Science. Baley is an avid animal lover who plans to own a farm one day with many critters. He is a volunteer at a reptile store, where much of his experience has been cultivated. Baley visits The Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year, where he earned his Junior Range Badge over the summer. He enjoys anything related to his friends, the outdoors, camping, and critters.

Bradlee Few

Bradlee Few is a junior at The Kinkaid School in Houston. Bradlee is fully engaged in academics, sports, service, and she is an avid writer. She has enhanced her academic experience by studying abroad in France and China. She is a third year member of both varsity cross country and track & field. For the 2014 season she was selected by her cross country coaches as a team captain. Bradlee has served as an Admissions Ambassador for the last two years representing Kinkaid to prospective families through tours and open houses. She is the president and co-founder of the Bite of Kinkaid Club, a foodie club focused on exposing its members to world cultures through cooking, eating, and service. Bradlee is also a member of several organizations including National Charity League where she is the President of the Houston Memorial Chapter class of 2016, The Oliver Foundation Teen Board focused on ending childhood obesity, the Nordstrom Fashion Board and Jack and Jill of America, Houston Chapter.

Ethan Fang

Ethan Fang is a creative 11 year old with a great sense of humor. He was born in Berkeley, California and moved to Houston, Texas when he was 8 month old. Ethan has been playing violin and piano since very young age. This year, he is selected to the Junior High Symphony TMEA 2014 Regional 23 Orchestra. He also enjoys traveling, reading, writing, math, and singing. He was part of a chamber choir that performed with the Houston Symphony, and sang national anthem at the Astros game this past year. Ethan's parents are from Taiwan and Vietnam. He has always been interested in his heritage, which inspired him to give this TEDx talk about his family's past.

Evan Lewis

Evan Michael Lewis was born in Sugar Land, TX to Mike and Terrie Lewis. He has a brother named Clayton Lewis, who also attended Episcopal High School (’13) who currently attends SMU. Evan participates in student government as vice president of the student body and is also the Interact Governor of District 5890. He is one of the captains of both the football and wrestling teams.

Eve Baliff

Eve Baliff is a freshman at the Emery/Weiner School. This will be her first time participating in TEDxYouth Day. Eve is a passionate feminist and believes that we need to adjust the lens through which many people view that label. This is an idea she will address in her talk today, “Changing Feminism: How You Can Make A Difference.”

Georgia McMayon

Georgia McMayon is an 11 year old girl. She attends Duchesne Academy and is in sixth grade. She enjoys music, art, and drama. She loves to play tennis and volleyball. Her passion is singing and when she grows up she wants to be a singer. Her friends say she is charismatic, friendly, sweet, pretty, and funny. She loves animals especially dogs. She is the oldest of two children.

Gia Gonzalez

My name is Gia Alexandrea Gonzalez and I am ten years old. I go to Duchesne Academy of The Sacred Heart and I and I am in 5th Grade. I have two brothers that are older than me and I have three dogs that I love to cuddle and play with. I love hanging out with my Friends and family. I do like social media. I like doing volleyball, soccer and I used to do swim team. I was born in Houston, Texas and I still live in Houston now with my parents and brothers. My best friends name is Avery and without her I don’t think my life would be fun. I speak three languages. I speak English, French and Spanish. The exciting things in my life are that I like to ski, I played soccer and last year I won first place in the championships, I like to shoot and hunt, I like the Walking Dead, I like to paint, I like to write songs, and after I write the songs I sing them while I play the piano, and I play the piano.

Ilana Vines

Ilana Vines is a 9th grade student at the Emery/Weiner school. Ilana is TED veteran ­­ this marks her second year participating in TEDxYouth Day. She is interested in empathy and learning how we can make the most of our experiences and gifts. Her talk today, “Attract Only The Best,” will encourage the audience to make the best of every day.

Isabella Neblett

My name is Isabella Neblett, and I am currently a sophomore at the Post Oak High School. During my hours of freedom, I read too much Psychology Today, collect cheesy quotes, and think about philosophy. I'm a professional procrastinator, and a passionate writer. I'm a lot of things, but the main ones are that I am 15, human, and count myself as being one of the future forty percent of American adults who have stage fright according to NBC. However, I have been learning to conqueror this fear since my first experience with Montessori Model United Nations when I had to deliver a speech in front of hundreds of fellow teenagers. While this was utterly terrifying, it also made me realize something about myself that I had never realized before. I really love people, and I want to help them all.

Lesley Robledo

My name is Lesley Robledo. I am a junior at the Chinquapin Preparatory School. I was born in Houston, Texas, and raised by both of my parents, and have two younger sisters. I have always been passionate about volunteering, and enjoy learning about new ways to help others. I enjoy reading, and am currently taking piano lessons. Through my junior project I hope to inspire young students to volunteer.

Madison Rice

Madison Trice was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, and has moved seven times through three other states since. She is currently a junior at St. John's School and will be studying at The School for Ethics and Global Leadership this upcoming spring. Outside of school, she enjoys Youth and Government, acting, writing, and spending time with her family and friends. She attended Seeds of Peace in the summer of 2014 and considers it to be one of the best experiences of her life.

Megha Neelapu

My name is Megha Neelapu, I am twelve years old, and go to The Post Oak School. Recently, I have become very interested in climate change: the biggest problem of the century. Instead of sitting around and worrying about it, I decided to fix it. I know that many kids are, or will be very interested in the topic of climate change, and they want to do something about it, but they don’t know how. That is why I am giving a talk at this TEDx event. My hope is that after I give my talk, kids will now be able to make our earth a better place.

Noah Rubinson

Noah Rubinson is a seventh grade student at The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas. Noah is originally from Andover, Massachusetts and lived in Miami, Florida for several years before making Houston his home, along with his mother, father and ten year old sister, Ella. Noah’s time in three diverse states has brought him the opportunity to enjoy many special life experiences. As a New Englander, Noah enjoyed family trips to historical sites in Boston, such as the Freedom Trial, USS Constitution and the Paul Revere House, and also experienced the foliage and beauty of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. As a Floridian, Noah enjoyed the beautiful blue oceans of Miami and trips to the Everglades to watch for alligators on airboat rides! Now, as a Texan, Noah takes great pride in living in a state so steeped in history and especially enjoys the challenges of his academic program at Kinkaid.

Saphia Zaman

My name Saphia Zaman and I am 13 years old. I live in Houston, Texas. I am an athlete. I play soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and track and field. I am a 7th grader at Duchesne Academy. When I grow up I want to become a surgeon

Suraj Pandit

Suraj Pandit is a sixth grader at Kinkaid. Outside of school, he has been training in the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do for 6 years, and recently he got his black belt. Through the process to achieve his black belt, he learned more about the philosophy of martial arts. One of his favorite quotes is, “The great masters are the ones who can make the difficult seem easy and the easy seem difficult.” Aside from martial arts, he enjoys playing competitive soccer and distance running. He likes music and plays the piano, as well as an Indian classical drum called tabla. He has two younger sisters for whom he is a great role model. When he grows up, he wants to be a doctor.

Zach Roubein

Zach Roubein is a seventeen year old with a passion for writing. He loves literature, art, and being creative. Zach is a junior at the Kinkaid School. He has two younger brothers who look up to him. Zach enjoys listening to music, going to his brothers' baseball games, and spending time with his family. A believer in giving back, he is also quite active in his community and serves on his school's Community Service Council. Zach's love of dramatic television led him to give his Ted talk.