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).

147 Chestnut Ridge Road
Saddle River, New Jersey, 07458
United States

Aiden Schwartz

Aiden Schwartz is a junior at Saddle River Day School. He is a leader of two clubs (the Philosophy Club and Wii Club), a president of his B’nai Brith Youth Organization chapter, and a Rebel Leader (peer leader)/ Aiden spends his free time delving into his interest such as music, movies, mixed martial arts, and conspiracy theories.

Alana Malanga

Alana is a 17 year old junior who loves doing all different things like sports, dancing, and working hard. She is also an avid theater fan and loves to sing and dance and spend time with her friends. Today, Alana will be talking about her personal view on the method to being positive and the major impacts it can make.

Avery Epstein

Avery is in eighth grade and is 14 years old. This is her first time doing a TED talk. She loves music, cooking, superheroes and art. She is one of three children in her family. Avery is the youngest speaker today and is excited to get more involved with the program. She has been involved in many school events such as founding the SRDS chapter of Etre, the girl empowerment club, the middle school girls basketball team and much more. Today, Avery will be talking about how SRDS changed her life after she lost her grandmother.

Cheyenne Haller

Cheyenne is a fourteen-year-old freshman at Saddle River Day School in Saddle River, New Jersey. She loves to dance, be outdoors, learn about politics, and hang out with family and friends. She also teaches young dancers at a studio in Waldwick, New Jersey. She is skilled in ballet, jazz contemporary, and musical theatre. However, her favorite styles are hip-hop and tap. Cheyenne hopes to do something either in engineering or dance in the future.

Davis Pennell

Davis is a 16 year old sophomore who spends most of his time either disassembling or building computers. He has a huge love for technology helping students around school with any problems, no matter the device. Not only does he love working with technology, but he also loves talking about everything he can about it.

Eli Weinger

Eli is a freshman at Saddle River Day School in Saddle River, New Jersey. He is interested in politics and has a passion for ensuring social justice and equally for all in the modern era. Eli is secretary of the student council, plays soccer and lacrosse, and manages the boys varsity basketball team.

Eric Lundblade

Mr. Lundblade was born in the misty temperate rainforests of Oregon, studied history at Haverford College, and has taught in Philadelphia, rural Ohio, and now Saddle River. He is fascinated by how changing circumstances affect people's' choices and brains. How have people’s rapidly changing relationships with smart phones, social media, and constant electronic connectivity. What effect is this new technology having on people? Is it wrecking a generation? The answer may surprise you.

Jamie Guterman

Jamie is a junior from Canterbury High School in southwest Florida. She is passionate about discussing international affairs, politics, diplomacy, and advocating for the special needs community due to her older sister having disabilities.

Layne Barber

Layne was originally born in Virginia ,but had lived her entire life abroad up until two years ago. Her whole life she has had a love for theater, literature, and history. She is a filmmaker in Ms. Hollis’ videography class, is involved in school productions, and spends most of her time crafting or making something new. Layne also loves to write, hopes that her TED talk will inspire, comfort, and help others in the same way it helped her, and she can’t wait to write more.

Lily Vellekamp

Lily is 16 year old Junior at SRDS. When she’s not at school, she can be found playing music or at work. This is her third talk, her first on being a teenager and the second on feminism. This talk is a much more personal one for Lily, being about a breakup, how it affected her mental health, and how she learned to recover. She would like to thank her mom for always helping her through difficult times. Lily has found TED as a way to express her ideas on a larger platform, and she hopes to share her ideas and help others in the future.

Linyi Li

Linyi is a junior at SRDS who loves arts, travel, food, learning languages, and fashion. Growing up reading fashion magazines and exploring the world on her own steps, she combines her view of different cultures into her fascination for fashion.

Lucinda Carroll

Lucinda is a junior at Nyack High School and she is super excited to have the chance to get to speak at SRDS! In her spare time she rows crew, does theater, and plays the drums. She is also one of the youth organizers for the Rockland County division of the March for our Lives, and is involved in several other activism organizations around the community. Her talk is about the necessity of activism, and why passive activism is no longer an option for our generation. She is so honored to get to speak at this event!

Natalie Janowski

Natalie Janowski is a sophomore at Saddle River Day School. She loves to perform, draw and act in school musicals and plays.

Rebecca Pall

Rebecca is 18 years old and is in 12th grade. She’s done many things in front of people, acting, performing, even singing at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. In her spare time, she writes songs, poems and short stories. When Rebecca grows up, she wants to be a teacher; and will be attending American University in the fall to start her path to that career. Rebecca is very excited to be speaking about a very personal topic, doing things for you. She is excited to share her stories and give you insight.

Samantha Cohen

Sam is a junior and is excited to give her second talk this year. She is an activist for mental health and helps with the youth council of the Child Mind Institute. She loves photography and hopes to travel more in the future with her camera. She’s been a huge comedy fan since she was a kid, and hopes her talk can inspire others. She would like to thank Ms.Hollis, Mr. Lundblade, and her parents for encouraging her to give a talk and use her voice for change.

Tony Maccarella

Tony has been an educator since 1982 and remains passionate about teaching and learning. As a faculty member of Saddle River Day School in Saddle River, New Jersey, he is regularly involved in discussions about instructional practice and ways to improve the learning experience for his students.