Theme: (Re)connecTED

TEDxStThomasAquinasHS is happening on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019.

Bienes Center for the Arts at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
2801 SW 12th Street
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33308
United States

Claudia Herrera

Director Campus Ministry, St. Thomas University

Claudia H. Herrera is a native from Bogotá, Colombia. She holds a Ph.D. in Practical Theology and an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from St. Thomas University. Her doctoral dissertation, Understanding Contemporary Practical Latino/a Theology Through the Lenses of College-Age Latinas in Their 20's makes use of the methodology of participatory action research in order to explore on the faith identity, spirituality and social location of first-generation college-age Latinas and their families in South Florida. Her current scholarly research reflects on the accessibility and engagement of Hispanic-Latinos/as in higher education and has allowed her to contribute directly to the formation, engagement, and mentorship of Catholic Latino/a ministry leaders. She is the elected secretary for the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States. She is actively engaged in theological scholarship, academic associations, and ministerial gatherings.

Elan Barenholtz

Co-Director Machine Perception and Cognitive Robotics Lab, FAU

Elan Barenholtz develops deep-learning neural network models and studies its applications. Since 2015, the MPCR has engaged hundreds of people across academic levels, scientific disciplines and industries in the new science of deep learning. Elan began his career as an experimental psychologist, investigating human perception from a behavioral/cognitive-science perspective. The remarkable recent success of artificial neural networks—computer simulations of brain computation that learn—convinced him that an important piece of the puzzle of the brain had been discovered. He co-founded the MPCR to develop theories and applications of broad brain properties—such as perception, attention, curiosity and creativity— and test them embedded in robotic/virtual agents. Elan earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology/Cognitive Science at Rutgers University. He is associate professor in FAU’s Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences and a visiting professor at Max Planck Florida Institute.

Federico Egui

Federico was a senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School when he presented this talk.

Jason Taylor

Professional Athlete

Once considered too skinny for football, Jason Taylor became one of the most feared defenders in the National Football League, and one of the most generous individuals off of it. Drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1997, Taylor was the greatest pass rusher in team history before moving on to a successful broadcasting career and being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Taylor’s seemingly endless resume of accomplishments over his 15-year career includes Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2006, 4 All-Pro selections, 6 Pro Bowls and a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2000’s. Upon retirement, he ranked 6th in league annals with 139.5 career sacks. Away from the field, Taylor lit up televisions with a 2nd place finish on Dancing with the Stars, but his most impressive work has been the Jason Taylor Foundation, established in 2004 to build a better future for South Florida youth. In 2007, he was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his community service.

Jayson Koss

Founder, Delivery Dudes

Jayson Koss launched Delivery Dudes out of his apartment in 2009. The driving force behind the company’s mantra, “be good, do good and have fun,” Jayson’s positive energy and Dudeist approach to both business and life have been the foundation for the company’s unique and exciting brand culture. After spending countless years in the New York City fashion industry working with brands such as John Lennon, Marc Ecko and Tommy Hilfiger, the native Floridian made his way back to South Florida to pursue his passion of creating a better life for himself and others. As founder, Jayson is at the helm of Delivery Dudes, striving for the company’s constant evolution and his team’s continual growth.

Lindsay Sutton

Behavioral Scientist

Lindsay Sutton is a research and behavioral scientist with a Ph.D. in Psychology and Masters in Outcomes Research. She continually develops methods to discover new insights, designs new ways to apply old insights and translates existing psychological and behavioral theory into actionable measures that give voice to unique populations. Her pursuit of human understanding, both in its strength and vulnerability, helps her design and create impactful physical, behavioral, and digital experiences aimed at shaping positive behaviors. Whether it is a large multinational corporation or small local non-profit or business, the mission is to improve human lives and she strives for this in everything she does by making people and their betterment the central focus of her work.

Michael Martinez

Rapper, Filmmaker, Poet and Philosopher

Michael Martinez seeks to become fully alive as a future Jesuit priest, rapper, filmmaker, poet and philosopher. A Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, Florida, he joined the Society of Jesus in the Antilles Province (Cuba, Dominican Republic and Miami) in 2013; called to a life of radical discipleship. He currently studies at Loyola University Chicago seeking graduate degrees in Social Philosophy and Digital Media and Storytelling. This digital ministry is just one small way of living and defining that mission.

Sophie Rier

Sophie Rier is a senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is an active member of the school's debate and forensics team.

Veronique Louis-Jauqes

Veronique is a high school senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School located in Fort Lauderdale Florida. She is also a leader of the high school's debate and forensic team.

Vittoria Marinoni

Vittoria was a senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida when she gave her talk. As an Honors student, she is committed to serving her community and is an active member of the school community.