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).

Indian Hill High School
6865 Drake Road
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45243
United States

Alyssa Questell

Only at the age of 17, Alyssa conducted biochemistry research for 6 weeks through which she met researchers, pharmaceutical company reps, and members of the FDA. After witnessing scientists never having enough funds to conduct their research, she decided to lead an annual campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Alyssa hopes to raise $50,000 for research on her own and will be speaking about her research in blood cancer.

Ayah Al-Zubi

Ayah Al-Zubi is a Jordanian American senior who aspires to foster youth empowerment in her home country of Jordan. Not only is she an advocate on the Young Activists Coalition, but she is also the founder of the United Nations Youth Delegate Program for Jordan.

Brad Kirk

Brad Kirk was a marketing executive for Unilever and 20th Century Fox for 30 years before becoming a teacher in 2010. He is also a member of the Courageous Conversations anti-racism team at Indian Hill High School.

Cody Szarko

Cody Szarko was born in Canada and raised just outside of Toronto for most of his upbringing. Cody began Dancing at the age of 10 when his Mother thought he needed to get some extra energy out. He instantly fell in love and set out on a journey to make his dreams a reality. Cody Trained under the direction of Vlad at Vlad’s Dance Company in Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada. Furthering his artistic ability, he obtained his BFA in Dance at Point Park University with a concentration in jazz in Pittsburgh, PA. Upon completion of his degree, He was offered a contract with Visceral Dance Chicago, a contemporary dance company in Chicago IL. Throughout his career, Cody has performed works by Ohad Naharin, Alejandro Cerrudo, Robyn Mineko Williams, Sidra Bell, Monica Cervantes, Banning Bouldin, and Jamy Meek to name a few. In Pursuit of something new, Cody relocated to Los Angeles, CA where he was represented by MSA. Cody has performed with the band Celtic Thunder, and featured in their movie “Celtic Thunder Storm”. Cody has been apart of the Miss America Organization for many years as a guest artist/performer. When not performing, Cody flourishes in teaching movement across North America emphasizing the connection of body and mind through his movement language. Cody has been fortunate enough to teach at national conventions such as Starpower’s “Power Park” as well as Tribe Dance among others. Cody is excited to take on the next chapter in his career with 2 Man Movement as Co-director/Choreographer/Dancer and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.

Danyang (Diana) Yue

Graduating class of 2022 at Indian Hill High School, Diana is the founder and Executive Director of Better Education for Stronger Teeth, BEST, a nonprofit organization that has spread oral health education and products to nearly 8,000 underprivileged children in the US, China, and Cambodia. She secured nearly 10,000 sets of toothbrushes and toothpaste that translates to a $30,000 sponsorship from corporations such as P&G. Her mission and vision have inspired nearly 1,000 teachers and student volunteers to also spread awareness and promote dental hygiene habits around the world. She contacted an OEM and produced water-free dental tablets for rural areas suffering from water scarcity. She also conducted year-long research, surveying 1,200 individuals on the disparity of oral health in rural China. Besides BEST, she is also the organizer and speaker of TEDxYouth@IndianHillHS and an avid artist and dance.

Elina Govil

Elina Govil is a senior at Indian Hill High School. She is a Teen Advisor for the United Nations Foundation Girl Up Campaign, who works closely with the United Nations in order to help enfranchise women in third world countries, prompted women to achieve jobs in STEM, and secure greater rights for women in the United States. She will be speaking about Finding Your Voice as a Tool for Change based on her experiences lobbying and realizing strengths as a young, introverted leader.

Joey Taylor

With an MA in Intercultural Studies and experience in interfaith engagement and international community development in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Joey Taylor is the Director of Bespoken Live on Campus in Cincinnati. Bespoken Live on Campus is a storytelling, story-listening and mindfulness program designed to create a safe space for students to be SEEN. He believes a story is key in crafting our perspective toward ourselves and one another and will be discussing this technique in communication.

John Litzler

John Litzler was born and raised just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. As a competitive dancer he received many top overall awards including, Mr. Dance of Ohio 2008 followed by 1st Runner up for Mr. Dance of America. John earned a B.F.A. in Dance with a concentration in Jazz from Point Park University under the direction on Susan Stowe. While attending Point Park University, he appeared in works choreographed by Kiesha Lalama-White, Christopher Huggins, Kevin Iega Jeff, Gerald Arpino, and Trey McIntyre to name a few. He also was given the opportunity to choreograph on many different occasions on peers and the next generation of dancers. During his senior year his piece was selected by the faculty to represent Point Park at ACDFA. Upon graduation, he accepted a company position with River North Dance Chicago where he performed and toured internationally for two years. Performing works by choreographers Frank Chaves, Ivan Perez, Ashley Rowland, and Adam Barruch. He spent a year working as a professional dancer in Los Angeles, getting the opportunity to work on music videos, a commercial, as well as perform with well known artist Sia. Outside of performing he has a passion for teaching, choreographing, and expanding his knowledge for the art. He has taught many master classes in various styles as well as for Power Park and Tribe, both National Dance Conventions. He is excited to be back in Cincinnati and share his love for dance through 2ManMovement as not only a co-director, but also dancer and choreographer.

Laura Hollan

Laura is a Cincinnati native and University of Cincinnati graduate. With a burning passion for bettering the lives of others, Laura was connected by hospitals to host and help people from other countries undergoing surgeries. By hosting and sacrificing her time for months, she has been able to transform the lives of individuals. Today, she will be discussing her experience with connecting with others through adoption, fostering and hosting.

Laura Holland

Laura is a Cincinnati native and University of Cincinnati graduate. With a burning passion for bettering the lives of others, Laura was connected by hospitals to host and help people from other countries undergoing surgeries. By hosting and sacrificing her time for months, she has been able to transform the lives of individuals. Today, she will be discussing her experience with connecting with others through adoption, fostering and hosting.

Michael Trimpe

Michael Trimpe/Marc-Aurele: Michael Trimpe has been a forensic scientist for the past 38 years at the Hamilton County Coroner’s Crime Laboratory, and currently serves as the Laboratory Director. He has published articles, presented papers, and taught workshops on his work in Trace Evidence. In addition, he has served many roles in this community such as President of the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists and founder and past chairman of the International Scientific Working Group for Gunshot Residue.

Natalia Cristo

Natalia always struggled with finding a safe, properly vetted and convenient method to provide aid to charities worldwide. After attending both the Non-Profit Leadership Institute and Philanthropy Innovation Summit at Stanford University and doing substantial research in Global Philanthropy, Natalia realized a public`s need for an easy technology or Mobile Application that can make a substantial impact on philanthropy worldwide, while being fun and rewarding to use. Thus, Mi People application along with Post4Good Foundation were born. Today Natalia is here to talk about the Issues that are plunging Social Media right now and the ideas and inspiration behind Mi People project that turned Instagram LIKES into direct help to charity organizations around the Globe and has a great potential to impact our everyday online interactions.