Theme: #CLIMATE

Rye Neck, New York, February 27, 2020 - On Friday, March 20th, from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm, the Rye Neck High School will host its second independently organized, licensed, youth TEDx conference. TEDx conferences include talks, participatory activities and presentations that encourage the audience and speakers to share ideas and perspectives around global themes.
Seventeen (17) high school students in grades 8 through 12 will present this year’s theme, “# CLIMATE.” This theme was chosen by the speakers because it reflects their deep concern for moving our community from apathy to action. This is not a performance, but instead a conference where the speakers will share their ideas in short, concise talks and the audience will have a chance to participate and exchange their thoughts in break out discussion groups. These presentations represent a wide range of climate change topics from large-scale impacts such as global migration and economic divestment to the importance of meatless family dinners and youth leadership. The young people want to share totally new and surprising ways of thinking and will present well-known basic facts from new perspectives.
The lobby will be host to various local resources and organization exhibitors committed to working with our community to help save the environment on a more microcosmic level. TEDxRyeNeckHigh # CLIMATE is about sharing ideas and our goal is to have everyone who attends make a commitment to go above and beyond what he/she is already doing to live sustainably AND to inspire others to do the same. Exhibitors at this event will share their mission and further engage with our audience members to work together to combat the detrimental effect of climate change.

Community Room, Rye Neck High School
300 Hornidge Road
Mamaroneck, New York, 10543
United States

Asha O'Reilly

Industrial Agriculture

Asha O'Reilly, grade 9, is an expert on industrial agriculture and the meat industry. Her TEDx talk focuses on climate change and the macro-level impacts of industrial meat production and then she hones in on how any family at a dinner table can become part of the solution.

Benjamin D'Amico

Economist

Benjamin D'Amico, grade 10, has a strong interest in the economics of climate change. In his TEDx talk he shares his perceptions of the divestment movement in colleges and universities and the need to reallocate funds in green industries.

Dylan Spencer

Education Reform

Dylan Spencer, grade 11, is a climate activist who founded ASAP Scraps, a community-based composting initiative. Dylan's TEDx talk focuses on the need for climate change to be integrated across the curriculum in order to prepare students for the problem-solving and critical thinking they will need to approach complex issues in the future.

Erik Hennefent

Ski Champion

Erik Hennefent, grade11, is a ski champion who fears that climate change will limit competitive and recreational skiing in the coming decade. Erik's TEDx talk highlights the ways that climate change has impacted his sport and how communities can fight back.

Erik Hennenfent

As the Earth warms, Erik Hennenfent, a 17 year old ski champion, links climate change to the devastation of ski communities that come together to enjoy the natural beauty of winter snow.

Gabriel Miller

Social Scientist

Gabriel Miller, grade 11, is leader of the Mock Trial Team and he conducts social science research for community organizations. His TEDx talk shares research he conducted in 2019 that demonstrates that increasing knowledge about climate change leads people to inaction rather than action.

Grace West

Social Scientist

Grace West, grade 12, is a community leader who uses empirical social science research to impact policy in her church and community-at-large. Her TED talk focuses on how young people gain respect and a voice through value-added research that impacts policy development.

Harry Sisson

Political Commentator

Harry Sisson, grade 11, is a political activist and commentator who speaks locally about the United State's climate policies and the Trump administration's record on the environment. His TEDx talk focuses on how climate issues and policy might sway the next Presidential election.

Jaime Latorre

Boy Scout

Jaime, grade 9, plans to create an insect farm and butterfly haven for his Eagle Scout project. He is an outdoorsman who cares deeply for the conservation of the natural world. His TEDx talk focuses on youth activism and how organizations, such as the Boy Scouts, support participatory communities.

Jessica Park

Naturalist

Jessica Park, grade 11, is a naturalist, activist, and spokesperson for human rights and climate change. Her TEDx talk expresses her passion for natural wonders and why she feels that a future generation might miss out on the magic she experiences outdoors.

Mirabelle Brown

Nature Deficit Disorder

Mirabelle, grade 9, is an athlete, actress, and naturalist who promotes outdoor play for children. Her TEDx talk focuses on the need for children to directly experience nature as a prerequisite for developing an appreciation for the outdoors.

Naomi Young

Refugees and Migration

Naomi Young, grade 11, has been active in Syrian refugee resettlement organizations since 8th grade. Her TEDx talk brings attention to issues of mass migration and how to move public perceptions of refugees from "other" to "neighbors."

Ruby Liebmann

Climate Activist

Ruby Liebmann, grade 11, is a climate activist who challenges people's perceptions of what is meant by "Mother Earth." In her TEDx talk, she explores cultural definitions of Mother Earth and challenges her audience to re-think their relationships to our planet.

Scott Beall

Environmental Educator

Scott Beall, founder of Integral Vision Learning and the DoRight Leadership Corps (a children's sustainability action organization) will present a short talk on the importance of integrating climate education into content curricula. Scott's presentations will take place during breaks from our main stage talks.

So Sato

Climate Activist

So Sato, grade 9, hails from Japan and is concerned about coastal flooding in countries that are not prepared for ocean level rise in the coming decades. So's TEDx talk highlights the experiences of Japanese citizens in the wake of recent natural disasters and how solutions might be found to keep people safe.

Sofia Statsny

Consumer-Negative Advocate

Sofia Statsny, grade 8, is a competitive skater and speaks publicly about the need for everyone to reduce their consumption of material goods. In particular, her TEDx talk speaks to the need for consumers to reduce their expenditures on clothing.

Sophia Engelen

Green Transportation

Sophia Engelen, grade 9, is an advocate for green transportation and biking. Her TEDx talk compares European models that have transitioned to predominantly bike-oriented societies with what needs to happen in her community to reduce carbon emissions.