Theme: The Ball is in Our Court

This theme strives to stimulate individuals to take matters into their own hands, to make decisions, to take action, to take the initiative to begin the flame that passes down. This is an idea that impels today’s youth to grow and integrate in a worldwide network of ideas that will one day be a part of the change. The word “our” is to emphasise the importance of community and how change is achieved through the power of numbers. The community of GAA is extremely diverse consisting of over 90 nationalities; to maintain this harmonious relationship, this community takes enormous steps in the direction of interdependence and adaptability.

GEMS American Academy
Madinat Khalifa A, Next Seha
Abu Dhabi, Abū Z̧aby, 145161
United Arab Emirates

Abdullah Al Suweidan

Student

Abdullah Al Suweidan is a grade 11 student from Saudi Arabia. He loves playing sports like football in his free time. He prioritizes self-growth and hopes to be a recognized figure in the future

Aylin Ortiz

Student

Aylin Caballero Ortiz is a senior in GAA who hails from Mexico. She enjoys dancing, drawing, and painting as well as playing the piano and videogames. Aylin would like to become a surgeon or possibly a neuroscientist, but it was her great passion for mental health and sports that led her to share her perspective here on TEDx.

Chaimaa Fadil

Student

Chaimaa is from Morocco. She moved to the UAE with her parents and brothers at 6 years old and studied at the French school in Dubai - Lycée George Pompidou. After graduating from high school in 2014 she attended NYU Abu Dhabi where she majored in Biology and minored in Maths and Computer Science. She was then awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to attend Oxford University where she is doing a Master’s in Statistical Genetics. Chaimaa is interested in better understanding the genetic determinants of complex diseases in order to improve diagnostic methods for better disease prevention and management. She aspires to a career as a physician-scientist. Until this year Chaimaa used to enjoy the indoors. In her free time, she likes to bake, play tennis, host dinners with friends and think about what she would do after lockdown.

Deniza Ibrahimi - Dzaferovic

Physical Education teacher

Deniza Ibrahimi - Dzaferovic is a high school PE teacher from Germany. She loves basketball, street culture and street arts. She enjoys all sports including dance and meeting new people with diverse backgrounds. Her life motto is to focus on the importance of the community, responsibility and tolerance. She has a great interest in motivating young people to find their passion and pursue their dreams. This is why she chose to hold a speech on the topic: Ball is in your court!

Nathaniel Ayoub

Student

Nathaniel Ayoub is a grade 10 student from the United States. He is always brimming with curiosity and will not stop at anything to understand new concepts in topics he's interested such as game/software development. His connection and love for technology are what led him to share his perspective on TEDx.

Omar Al Nuaimi

Student

Omar Al Nuaimi is a grade 11 student from the United Arab Emirates. He is interested in politics and diplomacy and likes to listen to lectures to strengthen his knowledge in this field. Additionally, he enjoys his hobbies such as horse riding. His desire for ensuring that students like him are prepared for the future inspired him to give a speech today at TEDx GAA.

Samah Awad

Director of Arabic Studies KG- G12 at GAA

Samah Awad is the Director of Arabic Studies KG- G12 at GAA since 2015, originally from Palestine and grew in Lebanon, who embodies being a life-long learner. Samah likes to read a lot and cook healthy recipes. Her positive attitude always enables her to be solutions-oriented to any obstacle she faced. Her passion for helping, motivating, inspiring, and impacting others has led her to share the story that influenced her life and encouraged her to be the best version of herself here on TEDx. She believes that everyone has the key to change their lives regardless of what we are going through. We need to believe, accept, love ourselves and do our best to change our life.

Zaid Abuwandi

Student

Zaid Abuwandi is a senior from Jordan. He programs and games a lot, but also enjoys track and field. He wants to pursue a career in programming and software development. His experience with events in his own life inspired his speech for TEDx GAA..