Theme: Horizons Beyond

TEDxLFHS is a TEDxYouth event designed to highlight LFHS students, teachers and innovative thinkers that have ideas worth spreading. Our 2021 theme is Horizons Beyond. The event places a strong emphasis on empowering young people in Lake Forest, area schools, and around the world. TEDxLFHS 2021 will premiere virtually on May 19, 2021: go to tedxlfhs.com to watch the livestream!

Lake Forest High School
1285 North McKinley Road
Lake Forest, Illinois, 60045
United States

Andy Wehmeyer

Student

Andy Wehmeyer is a senior at Lake Forest High School that enjoys rock stacking, stargazing, and camping (but mostly just rock stacking.) Over the last four years he has cultivated his love for filmmaking and science, an unlikely combination of interests consistent with his love of all things technology and nature. In the off chance he has free time, you may find him backpacking, launching rockets, reading 18th century science-fiction, shooting a short film, or working on the latest and greatest prototype of his potato cannon.

Anna Randall

Student

Anna Randall is a Senior at Lake Forest High School. She is delighted to be speaking about her experiences with Theatre and how it lead to her discovering the importance of pursuing her passion. When Anna is not on stage or behind the scenes, she loves to spend time with her friends and family. She is an avid reader and writer and finds inspiration from the beauty of the outdoors. She is so thankful for this opportunity and all the help she had along the way.

Ben Kras

Student

Ben Kras is a Freshman at Lake Forest High School with a passion for all things rap. He has been rapping for nearly two years, and has gained lots of experience from it. A lifelong content creator, Ben always strives to create the best music and always improve. He has always been fascinated with the science of TED Talks and is thrilled to be given the opportunity to make one himself, especially about something he is so passionate about.

Celeste Tomaselli

Student

Celeste Tomaselli is a Senior at Lake Forest High School. She is thrilled to be returning to the TEDxLFHS stage, and will be talking about comfort and growth zones. In her free time Celeste likes to hit things with a stick to make rhythm. In a normal year you can see her drum in every band event, every football game (Go Drumline!), and most acts of the talent show. She also is an avid member of the theatre department but you frequently won't see her because she works behind the scenes. She'd like to thank everyone who made this possible.

Chris Landvick

Educator

Chris Landvick came to LFHS in 2005 and has taught many courses until solidly becoming a Wall Climbing and Driver Education Instructor. He loves his job as he works with students to overcome challenges every day. He is married to LFHS Latin teacher, Ariel Landvick and together they have two daughters and a cat. Growing up, Chris loved looking at the comic books being sold at convenience stores, but his parents never bought them. Chris was most fascinated with the X-men. The many characters and interesting designs caught his attention. It wasn’t until adulthood that Chris dove into his love for geek entertainment. He owns an extensive comic book collection and has decorated his bathroom with a Star Wars theme. Chris thanks the Ed Techs (Mrs. Grigg, Mr. Holmer, and Mr. Juliano) for allowing him to share his love of comic books and assisting him through the TEDx Talk process.

Grant Huebner

Alum

Grant Huebner is the President of We Act Now, an environmental non-for-profit organization that works to promote sustainability in communities across the North Shore of Illinois. Since he cofounded We Act Now in November 2019, he has grown the organization from a small group of students into a community-centered movement. Grant passionately grows what he believes in: beyond We Act Now, he is the Secretary-General of the LFHS Model United Nations team, a co-founder of the Lakeside Stargazers, and is involved in various other organizations. He is thrilled to be speaking at this TEDxYouth event, and would like to thank everyone who helped get him to where he is today.

Helene Gu

Student

Helene Gu is a senior at Lake Forest High School who participates in Science Olympiad and Math Team. She also sometimes infiltrates chess club as a spectator and double agent. Motivated by the fact that she has a physical form and the strange ability to act in the world that comes with it, she lives by the phrase "do hard things." That is to say, she is thrilled to speak at this event.

Janel Sharman

Student

Janel Sharman is a sophomore at Lake Forest High School. She is very passionate about many things including New Media, math, singing, and acting. In her very limited free time, you can find her writing sad songs in her basement late at night. Although Janel does get occasionally stressed and upset with school work, she generally enjoys learning and wants to help others become more passionate for school by cultivating a love for learning. She is very excited to share her Montessori experience and ideas for public school reform with anyone who wants to listen.

Margot Pierce

Student

Margot Pierce is a senior at Lake Forest High School and excited to speak on the TEDxLFHS stage. At the high school, she is a dedicated violinist and percussionist, serving as co-president of the Orchestra Board and president of the Band Leadership Team. Outside of music, she is a passionate reader, writer, and member of the LFHS math team. Margot is looking forward to sharing her early experience with her dad’s cancer battle, and how she’s using what she learned from that challenge to persevere through today’s pandemic. She would like to thank her incredible parents, sisters, and friends for all their support.

Nick Tegel

Student

Nick Tegel is a Senior at Lake Forest High School. He has a strong interest in business, design, running, and bike touring. Nick enjoys a challenge in life whether it is academically, physically, or mentally. The summer of 2019 Nick biked across the country with 12 other kids his age with a group called overland, in search for something new and challenging to test his body and mind to new levels.

Ryan McFadden

Student

Ryan is a senior at Lake Forest High School

Saige Joseph

Student

Saige Joseph is currently a Sophomore at Lake Forest High School, and is excited to be involved with her first TEDxLFHS this year. She will be talking about films and how they have impacted her life. Saige is a part of the speech team and enjoys trying new things. Speaking of film, she would like to know if you think that Jack could have fit on the door in Titanic?

Sheila Falls

Student

Sheila Falls is a sophomore at Lake Forest High School. She’s very excited to have the opportunity to share her voice in a way that combines some of the things she is most passionate about, New Media, dance, and writing. Although most of her time is dedicated to her dance studio, she shares that same passion with music, reading, the outdoors, and film. If those who listen to her talk take anything away, she hopes it’s realizing the power of a free spirit.

Sona Hawkins

Student

Sona is a Freshman at Lake Forest High School. She is thrilled to be able to speak about women in STEM at the TEDxLFHS event, as STEM has always played a huge role in her life. Sona fills her spare time with many activities and extracurriculars, including Math Team, Debate Team, and Book Club. She also loves to binge TV shows, read obsessively, play tennis, and spend time with her family. Sona is incredibly thankful for the opportunity, and wants to inspire others to accomplish incredible things.