Theme: The Choice is Ours

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).

Clear Brook High School auditorium
4607 FM 2351
Friendswood, Texas, 77546
United States

Braden Hoefer

A recent graduate of Clear Brook High School, Braden Hoefer conducted his senior thesis on ways to conserve energy.

Chanmarie Un

My name is Chanmarie Un, I am 17 years old and I go to Clear Brook High School. For a long time, I’ve recognized the injustices that people face due to gender, race, socioeconomic status, etc...and I always felt the need to use my actions and my voice to help others. Ultimately, this has inspired my journey towards becoming an engineer. I don’t shy away from the things that need to be said or done, as I believe that society cannot progress unless it walks with purpose.

Christa Westheimer

As a junior at Clear Brook High School, Christa Westheimer discusses how to maintain your personal values rather than let society dictate your values.

Claire Tichy

A senior about to graduate, Claire Tichy is excited to move forward into the next chapter of her life, but not without reflection on her successes and failures in the past four years of high school. At school, Claire holds the position of yearbook Editor-in-Chief and orchestra President. Her proudest achievements are graduating summa cum laude and surviving high school in general. In her free time, Claire likes to read, play with her three cats, and ignore the piled heaps of clutter in her bedroom. Next year, she plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study Journalism. She most looks up to her mom, Ruth Baxter, and would like to thank her for her unlimited generosity and support.

Fizza Dhanani

After years of being outcasts of society, the stigma that had grown against Ismaili Muslims was one that hit extremely close to home. Not only did I experience this first-hand in my earlier years, but it was a conflict both within me and around me that had followed my identity to this very day. It impacted my thoughts, actions, and lifestyle on a day-to-day basis. But this wasn’t an issue that solely plagued my family or myself, it was one that many others endured daily, and still continue to, especially in the West. By sharing the personal events that have occurred in my life, as well as the stories of others, I hope to increase awareness about this topic. Finally, by providing a few steps that everyone can take in their own lives to make the lives of others more optimistic, I believe that our community can truly spread pluralism to become a more positive setting for all types of people.

Jyothi Manoj

As an 8th-grader, Jyothi Manoj spent a year researching the lives of mass-murderers and serial killers to find commonalities. She then used her data to create a screening that counselors could use to assess a troubled student's risk of violence.

Saad Durrani

Saad will attend the University of Texas at Austin for mechanical engineering. He is very interested in innovating and creating change and that has allowed him to participate in programs such as robotics and intern at NASA. He is very interested in traveling and does so whenever he can with his family. Saad also enjoys playing sports, especially Ultimate Frisbee and soccer. He also loves to lead and has taken on many leadership positions while growing up, such as being Class President and Trumpet Section Leader within band. Overall Saad plans on getting an MBA after a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in order to help him obtain a career in the leadership side of engineering.

Smiti Gandhi

While still in high school, Smiti Gandhi utilized bioluminescent bacteria to create more efficient solar cells that could capture light energy both day and night.

Syamantak Payra

Syamantak Payra is the graduating valedictorian of Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, Texas. He has a passion for helping people, both through his inventions and through teaching. In the summers, he can often be found in libraries across the Houston area conducting free spelling bee workshops based on his experiences competing at the National Spelling Bee. Syamantak has earned the President's Volunteer Service Gold Award, twice, and is a 2018 US Presidential Scholar. He is an avid participant in science and math competitions, and earned 9th place in the nation at the 2018 Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation's oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors. Syamantak was one of only 50 US students selected for the legendary Research Science Institute at MIT, where he earned the Rickover Award. Syamantak qualified for the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) three times. He earned second place once and first place twice, including winning both the Best in Category award and the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award, one of the top three awards in the entire fair, an honor that motivated him to pursue grant funding for and launch a new STEM outreach program that reaches underserved students in elementary schools.