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).

Mountain View High School
3535 Truman Avenue
Mountain View, California, 94040
United States

Archish Arun

High school sophomore

Archish is a sophomore at Mountain View High School and a jazz multi-instrumentalist of a classical piano background. As the lead pianist of the San Jose Jazz High School All-Stars, he frequently gigs around the area, alongside which he releases self-produced-and-arranged records on major streaming platforms with band 52prime. He also enjoys coding Python, reading about machine learning, and writing on his personal Medium blog, all the while maintaining a passion for anime, tech, and anything cars.

Ariana Rich

High school sophomore

Arie is a sophomore at Mountain View High School and enjoys reading and gardening in her free time. As well as being a member of Science Olympiad, Arie also volunteers for the Democrats and Furry Friends (a therapy-pet organization) and is very involved in flute.

Diego Gonzalez

High school sophomore

Diego Gonzalez, a sophomore, was born in Jalapa, Guatemala. Diego currently works at a restaurant in Los Altos. He is still undecided as to what he wants to do once he finishes high school.

Edwin Hernandez Tobar

High school senior

Edwin Hernandez, a senior, was born in Agua Blanca, Guatemala and has being going to MVHS since he moved to the U.S. during the second semester of his sophomore year. Besides going to school every day, Edwin holds down two jobs; he works at a pizza place and at an Italian restaurant. After high school, Edwin wants to become a mechanic.

Ernest Chau

High school sophomore

Ernest is a sophomore in Mountain View High School, Scout, mellophone assistant section leader in the MV Marching Band, and also an Oboist in the MV Wind Ensemble and CYS. Needless to say he enjoys listening to music in his free time, along with playing video games, watching anime, and drinking tea.

Frieda Kahan

High School senior

Frieda is a senior at Mountain View High School and a proud member of the water polo team, Environmental Club, and Madrigals. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, hanging out with friends, and petting her dog.

Gautam Thapar

Executive Director

Gautam is the Founder and Executive Director of the Invictus Academy of Richmond, a charter school in Richmond, CA.

Heela Hayat

High school senior

Heela is a senior at Mountain View High School as well as the Vice President of Asian Student Union and a member of the Ambassadors Club. She likes to learn languages and has already mastered five languages

Jasmine Velazco

High School senior

Jasmine, a senior, is a first generation Chicana and Co-President of Latino Student Union.

Jennifer Huan

High school senior

Jennifer is a senior at Mountain View High School. She spends her time practicing badminton and calligraphy with her friends, giving tours to transfer students as an Ambassador, and organizing school events within student government. She enjoys watching movies and spending time with her two lovely cats. As a reclassified ELD student, she wants to promote cultural diversity in MVHS and let others hear the stories of ELD students.

Marc Bakvanski

High School senior

Marc is passionate about people, community, and making change. For fun, he leads the Mountain View High School's Computer Science Club, organizes the MVHacks hackathon, and leads software architecture and development at Deuce Technologies. He enjoys hiking through nature, minimalist photography, performing with Dance Spectrum, and building software that makes people happy.

Meredith Ackley

Philanthropist

Meredith Ackley is a Board Member of the Bring Change to Mind program, which works to end the stigma and discrimination of mental illness through public service announcements, public education materials and school programs.

Naya Chang

High School senior

Naya is a senior at Mountain View High School and a self-proclaimed yellow American. She is a visual arts and humanities nerd within STEM-obsessed Silicon Valley and she particularly loves sculpture and US history. Naya is President of MVHS’s dance program Dance Spectrum.

Padyn Kesselring

High school senior

Padyn is a senior at Mountain View High School, as well as a varsity football player, a varsity baseball player, the Senior Class Vice President and a Student Assistant Athletic Trainer.

Tameeka Bennett

Executive Director

Tameeka is the Executive Director for Youth United for Community Action.