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).

Mountain View High School
3535 Truman Avenue
Mountain View, California, 94040
United States

Allison Nguyen

Ethnocentrism in American History Curriculum

Allie Nguyen is a senior at MVHS. When she’s not in dance rehearsal, Allie is listening to music or studying for speech and debate. She considers herself a boba connoisseur. In her talk, Allie recounts how ethnocentrism was exhibited in her childhood history classes and argues for the necessity of a global perspective.

Billy Peir

Monkey Man

Billy Pier is a junior at MVHS. Billy is a multi-sport athlete, having played both Baseball and Basketball from childhood, and now at the varsity level. In addition to his love for sports, Billy is a part of many campus clubs and organizations, including ASB and Spartan Buddies. Billy loves teaching kids and as part of the Math Mission Club (where he is Secretary) he gives free tutoring to middle school students, helping kids with math, baseball and basketball. In his TED Talk, Billy explores the importance of bringing others up and being a good teammate, through the life of Munenori Kawasaki. Kawasaki was a Japanese baseball player who brought his team up not by his play, but by his actions on and off the field.

Blythe Powaga

The Parts of A Whole I Resent

Blythe Powaga is a junior at MVHS who loves to spend her free time with friends and playing lacrosse. Blythe’s talk revolves around her late mother, and explains how she makes up a whole of what her mother once was. She weaves her journey of acceptance into a poem.

Christa Gannon

Coach, Consultant, former CEO, founder

Christa Gannon is a coach, consultant, former CEO, and Founder in Residence at Fresh Lifelines for Youth (“FLY”). Christa created FLY with a Soros Justice Fellowship based on suggestions of incarcerated youth on how to ensure all kids have an opportunity to live healthy, free, and productive lives. Today, with a $9 million budget, 90+ staff, and 200+ volunteers, FLY serves over 2,000 youth across five counties.

Citlali Orellana

The Single Story about people from Mexico

Citlali Orellana is a sophomore at MVHS. She was born and raised in Mexico City, and moved to Mountain View with her mother a year ago. She is a member of sunrise club and K-pop club on campus. Outside of school she takes karate lessons, and her goal is to reach the black belt level. She has tried several sports such as diving, rhythmic gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics, cheerleading, swimming and ice skating. In her free time she likes to listen to music, especially K-pop, read, watch Netflix on her couch with a warm blanket and talk with her friends from Mexico. In her talk, she will share personal experiences with stereotyping, analyze why we stereotype Mexicans, and its relevance in society.

David Fomin

Answering Problems with Intangible Solutions: Lessons from Kenya

David Fomin is a senior at MVHS. He is the founder and co-president of the Russian Club, plays Baritone Saxophone in Wind Ensemble, and competes on the varsity tennis team. Outside of school, David has a 2nd-degree black belt, and teaches karate at a local studio, along with playing classical piano. In his talk, David will discuss his experience shadowing doctors in a public hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, and the importance of making a small difference despite the magnitude of the problems in the developing world.

Esin Demiray

The Fear of Going First

Esin Demiray is a senior at MVHS. She tutors for the Unidos Tutoring Club and volunteers with the Turkish Educational Foundation to teach English and fundraise for the education of children-in-need in Turkey. In her free time, she loves to read mystery novels, paint, and hike with friends and family. In her talk, she will reflect on how her job as a swim instructor for school-age children at the YMCA helped her realize the power of being willing to venture into the unknown and overcome our fear of going first.

Lorenzo Varlaro

Finding Strength in Community

Lorenzo Varlaro is currently a senior at MVHS. He is an Ambassadors executive board member and a vocal advocate for mental health and wellness. Lorenzo is also a frequent contributor to the arts community on campus, as his favorite hobbies include music production, graphic design, and video production. Lorenzo also enjoys reading books by John Green, watching commentary videos on YouTube, and eating cereal. In his TEDx talk, Lorenzo will discuss his mental health journey, recent brain surgery, and the communities that helped him make the most of it.

Margaret Abe-Koga

City Council Member

Margaret Abe-Koga is in her fourth term on the Mountain View City Council. She became the first Asian American female to serve on the City Council and as Mayor in 2009 during the Great Recession, and again served as Mayor in 2020, where she led the city through the COVID-19 pandemic. Margaret is a champion for sustainability, transportation, affordable housing, public safety, diversity, equity and inclusion. Margaret graduated from Harvard University with an AB in American Government. She and her husband, Yotto, have two daughters, Aili, a graduate of Mountain View High School, and Aina, currently a senior at MVHS.

Rohan Shankar

Be a Changemaker

Rohan Shankar is a sophomore at Mountain View High School. He loves learning about the world around him, and is on the varsity MVLA Speech and Debate team. Language and ideas captivate him and have made him a voracious reader. His talk will explore the importance of making a difference, and being a key part of society.

Svasti Patel

Internal Medicine Physician

Dr. Svasti Patel is a Internal Medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center, and has practiced for more than 20 years. Her current role includes serving as Chief of Outpatient Quality within the medical center. She is a California native and grew up in nearby San Jose. Svasti is involved in the community through Girl and Boy Scouts of America and the Mentoring Tutor Connection of Los Altos. She is also known as “Mom” to two MVHS grads.

Tim Lynch

Founder of award-winning film production company

Tim Lynch (TL) is the founder of award-winning film production company & creative studio FARM LEAGUE. He has built a wide-reaching network of industry professionals with his talent for bridging strategy and creativity and his natural ability for connecting like-minded people. TL has helped brands like Patagonia, Pepsi, Yeti, and Stumptown Coffee produce and distribute content that embodies their corporate identities, while also setting new standards for what branded film content can achieve on a creative and cinematic level. A Texas native who fell in love with surfing and Southern California culture, TL now lives with his wife and two children in Santa Monica, CA.