Theme: Twists and Turns

The Rubik’s Cube – a puzzle that boggles, bewilders, and beguiles. For many of us, it’s a pathway uncharted, as its twists and turns yield seemingly unpredictable results; sometimes, however, the pieces perfectly lock together, each side its own unique color. The process of solving (or not) a puzzle, from start to finish, evokes a labyrinth of choices, a journey with many branches; so it is the choices we make and their intended and unintended consequences that form the center of TEDxSaintAndrewsSchool. We encourage speakers to explore a twisting, turning journey that perhaps didn't solve a puzzle, but did create a colorful mosaic. What were the unintended consequences of exploring a powerful idea? The surprises on a road less traveled? The beautiful tapestry that began with a single thread? TEDxSaintAndrewsSchool will provide the stage for the speakers to share their ideas through their left turns, cul de sacs, and surprising discoveries.

Saint Andrew's School
3900 Jog Road
Boca Raton, Florida, 33434
United States

Addison Gruber

Student

Addison Gruber is a senior at Saint Andrew’s Student. She is the president of the Rainbow Alliance Club and has been a member of the bowling team the past two years. In her free time she enjoys listening to podcasts, some of which include Welcome to Night Vale and Myths and Legends, as well as reading science fiction. Addison is undecided about where she will attend college, but she wants to study ecology.

Anthony Bartone

Student

Anthony Bartone is a senior at Saint Andrew’s School. He is involved in spearfishing and enjoys attending sporting events and car shows in his free time. Anthony will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder in the fall.

Christina Leonardi

Student

Christina Leonardi is a sophomore at Saint Andrew’s School. She’s interested in water sports like jet skiing and boating. In her free time, she interns at Sentry Data Systems, a healthcare data analytics company. She’s also currently participating in an MYP Capstone project. Christina also enjoys creative activities such as makeup, graphic design, and editing. At her former school, she was the recipient of several summa-cum-laude awards and English awards.

Emily Elhilow

Student

Emily Elhilow is a junior at Saint Andrew’s School. Currently, she works at Gypsy Surf Shop in West Palm Beach and is a tournament coordinator for Fillet for Friends. Emily is an accomplished beach volleyball player, having earned various awards outside of school, and enjoys going to the beach, traveling, and learning new things. She has also been recognized on the Headmaster’s List.

Erik Bloomquist

Director/Writer

Erik Bloomquist is a two-time New England Emmy® Award winner (Outstanding Director and Outstanding Writer), eight-time nominee, and Top 200 Director on HBO's Project Greenlight. His nationally syndicated drama series, The Cobblestone Corridor is the winner of three New England Emmy® Awards and recipient of nine nominations. His critically acclaimed short films have played internationally. Erik’s award winning short, She Came from the Woods, is currently on the festival circuit while his debut feature film, Long Lost, is in post production. Erik has also directed prolific musicals and plays at regional theaters and educational institutions across the country. In addition to teaching masterclasses throughout the northeast, Erik has served as adjunct faculty at Trinity College, Artist-in-Residence at Avon Old Farms School, and Visiting Artist at Miss Porter’s School. He graduated cum laude from Trinity College and is an alumnus of the London Dramatic Academy in London, England.

Esha Alwani

Singer/Songwriter

Singer/songwriter Esha began writing songs when she was only six years old, shortly after being diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome. “Music became my therapy. It helped me cope and gave me an outlet for my emotions. And it taught me to dream.”Esha has a lot to channel all her positive energy into as her career is taking off. She’s signed a management deal with the Nashville-based Copeland Tucker Group and her music video, “Yesterday” already has over 27,000 views in just a few short months. You will also find her featured in the 2017 and 2018 issues of Destination Magazine. The past year saw Esha bringing her live show to some very prestigious music festival events including, The Aruba Summer Music Festival where she performed to a crowd of over 8000.

Grace Nyanchoka

Student

Grace Nyanchoka is a sophomore Resident Life at Saint Andrew’s School. Outside of school, she is involved in bowling and theater, including National Thespian Society. She also participates in several clubs, such as Turtle Habitation Club (acting secretary), Horse Liberation Club, French Club, Drama Club, and I Am That Girl Club. In her free time, Grace likes going to movies, taking long walks, watching school games, and hanging out with friends. She is the recipient of the English Scholarship Award, French Scholarship Award, Breakthrough Award (theater), Gypsy Robe Award (theater), and multiple honorable mentions and excellent awards for French competitions.

Jade Hodge

Student

Jade Hodge is a sophomore Resident Life student at Saint Andrew’s School. She participates in Varsity diving, track, and Model Congress. In her free time, Jade listens to music, watches Netflix, reads, or calls friends and families overseas. In previous years, she has been a part of the honor roll and recently earned Academic Achievement last semester. Though she is not a senior, she hopes to one day attend Oxford University.

Jamie Spanier

Student

Jamie Spanier is a junior at Saint Andrew's School. Outside of school, he works at Chick-Fil-A. In his free time, he likes to spend time with friends and family, play guitar, play sports, and go to the beach. He has been the recipient of several math awards, a Comeback Player of the Year Award in soccer, and a Sportsmanship Award in tennis.

Jamison Pierre-Louis

Student

Jammy Pierre-Louis is a senior at Saint Andrew’s School. He is an accomplished member of the varsity boys basketball team, having earned several local player of the week honors as well as a Sun-Sentinel Honorable Mention All-County recognition. Jammy also broke the school’s single game scoring record this past season. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and spending time with friends. Jammy is currently undecided about where he will attend college next fall.

Jimena Ruiz

Student

Jimena Ruiz is a senior at Saint Andrew's School. She is in the IB Diploma program. She spends most of her time outside of school working on assignments and projects, like her CAS project. When she's not doing schoolwork, she takes barre classes and spends time with her family and friends. She also likes to read newspaper articles and watch movies. Jimena has been a recipient of the Headmaster's List for most of her high school career, and she has placed in gold and silver for the French Grand Concours exams. She is still undecided about what college she will attend next year.

Kathryn Arendt

Student

Kathryn Arendt is a senior Resident Life student at Saint Andrew’s School. She is an SA volleyball player and is committed to play at the College of the Holy Cross. Kathryn is also involved in the Students for Autism Club and enjoys working out, watching TV, and hanging out with friends. She has earned Libero of the year and as a junior was recognized as a member of the third team All State for New York State Volleyball Association.

Kristen DeAndrade

Motivational Speaker and Yoga Instructor

With little legs and a big heart, Kristen DeAndrade is living proof that perseverance prevails. Born with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, she is a passionista on a mission to erase barriers and eradicate stereotypes. Believing that disability is only a state of mind, Kristen shares her journey of living in the face of adversity with anyone who needs reminding of their own indomitable will. After recently coming face to face with paralysis and frightening uncertainty, she continues to be an advocate, supporting her fellow patients at The Paley Institute. Currently residing in West Palm Beach, FL, she is a beloved youth yoga teacher whose optimism and strength of heart are unparalleled. Kristen has appeared on several national television programs and networks including The Learning Channel and CBS Sunday Morning News. In addition to being a contributor for The Mighty, she has also been featured on Refinery29, Women’s Health, Huffington Post

Laura Caldeira

Student

Laura Caldeira is a junior at Saint Andrew’s School. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music, and watching movies and tv shows. She has been recognized as an Honor Roll student during the second semester of Grade 9, first semester of Grade 10, and first semester of Grade 11.

Lucia Martin

Student

Lucia Martin is a junior at Saint Andrew’s School. Lucia is a member of the girls’ varsity soccer team, the Saint Andrew’s Mu Alpha Theta Club, Harvard Model Congress, and SASSA. In her free time she enjoys relaxing and hanging out with friends. Lucia has been recognized on the Headmaster’s List and is looking forward to being the captain of the girls’ soccer team next year.

Quinn Fender

Student

Quinn Fender is a senior at Saint Andrew’s School. Quinn has been a member of the boys varsity tennis team the past two years. In his free time he enjoys playing tennis and hanging out with friends. Quinn is currently undecided about where he will attend college next fall.

Seth Wyatt-Manning

Student

Seth Wyatt-Manning is a junior at Saint Andrew's School. Outside of school, he plays for the South Florida Hockey Academy. During his free time, he loves to workout, play hockey, and spend time with friends. He has earned Honor Roll for the past two years, and he has been awarded Most Valuable Player in three hockey tournaments and Top 3 Players of the Week in the U.S. Premier Hockey League.

Timur Senaltan

Student

Timur Senaltan is a senior at Saint Andrew's School. He is the co-founder and current vice president of the Rock Climbing Club at school. He is also very interested in investment and business. In his free time, Timur spends time with his friends. He is the recipient of the Headmaster's List and is currently deciding between The University of Miami or Florida International University.