Theme: Diversity

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).

Woodbridge High School
2 Meadowbrook
Irvine, California, 92604
United States

Alexander Kerr

Student

Alex Kerr enjoys writing and poetry. He also likes to read and learn new information. He always had a vested interest in world issues, politics and economics.

Charles Archer

American Lawyer, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur, CEO and co-founder of The THRIVE Network

Charles A. Archer is an American lawyer, author, speaker, entrepreneur, CEO and co-founder of The THRIVE Network. THRIVE services thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in New York City. Archer has written the Everybody Paddles book compilations that provide strategies to creating organizational consensus and productivity through leadership, with the third edition Everybody Paddles: A Leaders Blueprint for Creating A Unified Team becoming an international best seller. His enthusiasm about personal growth and development has led him to receive a Masters of Public Administration; and Public Policy advocacy. Before his CEO appointment to THRIVE, Archer served as a Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney and the Associate Executive Director to the InterAgency Council of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disability Agencies of New York, where he liaised with state agencies and community and government organizations on behalf of the mentally disabled & disadvantaged. Archer worked closely with local, state and federal legislators and contributed to shaping the programs and policies that directly impacted this group. As a result, he has received Proclamations from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz for his leadership, business acumen and commitment to the betterment of New Yorkers. Charles A. Archer served as a Cuba research delegate with the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD); and a Ireland Research Delegate with International Association for Special Education (IASE) for which he has also lectured. In 2012, he was among a select group of public executives invited to participate in the Harvard University - Kennedy School Driving Government Performance consortium. Later that year he received The Network Journal Forty Under 40 achievement award for professionals who have significantly impacted their respective industries and community. The following year, 2013, he was the recipient of the King of Kings County award for his depth of community service with disabled and disadvantaged citizens and received a Citation for his advocacy and leadership as CEO for THRIVE from former New York City Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg. Early 2015, the Commissioner for the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities chose Archer to join an elite group of experts and individuals in the service of the disabled to lead their transformation panel initiative. In May 2015, Archer visited Israel as a community delegate with the Jewish Community Relations Council and United Jewish Appeal Federation to strength relations in New York, Israel and around the world. Also, in 2015, Archer participated as an invited guest of The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to bridge relationships between New York and China. In 2016 and 2017 respectively, Archer was appointed to the Human Service Council Policy and Strategy Council and Value Based Payment Commission. Charles A. Archer presented his first TEDx talk entitled “The Friendship Clause” and has been featured on television, radio, print, blogs and other media outlets. Later this year, Archer intends on publishing his fourth book.

Dion Gray

Teacher/Coach

Dion Gray has been an Irvine teacher for 33 years. Additionally, she has been the swimming and water polo coach at WHS for 20 years. She has been the goalie for the Women's National Water Polo Team for 10 years and a goalie coach as well as an USAWP Hall of Fame inductee in 2004.

Eileen Kim

Miss Orange County, Student

Eileen Kim is a graduating 20-year old senior at Chapman University, and plans to pursue her Juris Doctor degree in the following year. She has been recognized for her accomplishments in her academic and community efforts; in which she was the recipient of scholarships from the D.K. Kim Foundation, Rotary District 5280, PV Women's Club, PV Lion's Club, amongst others. In addition, she has been an avid violinist, by which she has served as concertmaster of four orchestras; however, she realized that her passion and higher sense of purpose lies in the service to others. As Miss Orange County, a local preliminary to the Miss America Organization, she uses this opportunity to serve her community and to represent those who feel misrepresented or unrepresented. She has chosen to advocate for her personal platform, "Self-Love: Preventing Self-Harm," and hopes to break the stigma surrounding mental illness by telling her own story as a source of empathy in order to motivate others to seek help

Irene Koo

Student

Irene Koo is a freshman at Columbia University, intending to study financial economics with concentrations in computer science and business management. At Columbia, she is an executive board member of Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs, where she is leading the high school mentorship initiative. With interests in social entrepreneurship, education reform, and international relations, she hopes to found her own charity foundation and keep learning.

John Tezak

English teacher

John Tezak teaches English at WHS. Originally, he is from Washington State, but he has moved a lot. He has been married to his amazing wife, Nam, for 5 years. He believes in God, travel, and Thai cooking.

Katie Kim

Student

Katie is an 18-year-old with a passion for opening dialogues among any and all people. She believes that humanity drives existence, so having the hard conversations about sexuality, religion, political beliefs, and otherwise are all necessary experiences to have. Regardless of whether or not an agreement is reached at the end, communication is an inherent part of life. She wants to show others that she respects those who may not accept her for who she am; it doesn't make them any less of a human with dignity that must be upheld. In her words, "We're all in it for the same reasons: to survive and to thrive. We shouldn't let any selfish endeavors get in the way of genuine human connection."

Phillip Chow

Biology Teacher, Adjunct Professor, Motivational Speaker

Mr. Phillip Chow has been teaching Biology at Beckman High School for the past 5 years. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Irvine and has been a Key Note speaker for large events at UC Irvine, Orange Coast College, Cal State Fullerton, the City of Irvine (Annual YAT Leadership Summits), and his high school. Mr. Chow grew up in Orange County and is a proud K-12 graduate of the Tustin Unified School District. After graduating from Beckman High School, he went on to receive his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and teaching credential from UC Irvine. His mission in life is to positively impact as many students’ lives as possible and inspire them to live meaningful, purposeful lives with passion.

Shayan Sadiq

Student

Shayan Sadiq is an ardent high school student, water polo player, and a voracious reader. On numerous occasions he has been caught reading the yellow pages and cereal box labels, just because there was nothing else for him to read. He relates to diversity first-hand, being born in an immigrant family, and growing up in a culturally mixed community like Irvine. His hobby is trying out new things – this year it was building model rockets, participating in a debate club at Woodbridge, and now he is trying out things like this TEDx Talk and pursuing a job as a lifeguard for City of Irvine.

Stephanie Zhang

Student

Stephanie Zhang is a current freshman at Portola High School. She believes in the overarching theme that success is a byproduct, and that we are all capable of making a positive impact on the people around us, our society, and ultimately the world. Through her talk, Stephanie hopes to inspire fellow students and spread insight and original ideas. With so many new ideas and revelations in her own life and perspectives, Stephanie began sharing these ideas in “mini TED talks” at her school, spreading ideas to some of her fellow classmates through casual conversation. She remembers the rush of excitement and fascination she felt whenever talking about ideas about life, meanings, ethics, perspectives, etc., and she knew she could not ignore this feeling. In addition to watching TED talks, Stephanie’s passions lie in cognitive sciences, including philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. Ultimately, Stephanie’s greatest passion lies in the very idea of learning and changing the world.