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).

Escuela Americana
Calle y Colonia La Mascota, Final Calle 3
San Salvador, San Salvador, 0000
El Salvador

Alejandro Simán

Alejandro is a junior student at Escuela Americana who has served in leadership positions in student government throughout his life such; as 9th grade representative in the executive government and 10th grade representative in the executive government. Besides playing varsity soccer, he enjoys playing tennis, piano, and using his time to help those in need. He is currently the Regional Manager of Operation Hope in Honduras, an organization that works to address the many problems that Central American societies face. Through this organization he is working with Fundacion el Niño con Cancer to raise funds for their facilities. He truly believes that excellence is achieved with commitment and hard work and is passionate about achieving goals that would contribute to building a better world. He also believes in the importance of challenging yourself in every aspect of your life in order to grow as a person and find self satisfaction. A key factor to this is productivity, which he will talk about in depth throughout his talk.

Baltazar Quezada

Baltazar Quezada is a high school senior with two great parents and two great sisters. He likes to exercise, play video games, and jump out of airplanes. He considers himself a logical person, and always tries to be impartial or objective when it comes to formulating an opinion on general news or personal opinions. He believes that the modern world could use a bit more logic and inclusivity nowadays, and he firmly believes that every person can go through enough self improvement to be satisfied with who they are as a person.

Daniel Borst

Daniel Borst is a high school math teacher who pursues an interest in applying logic to situations that people--young and old--confront as they make their way through life. As a result, he gives "life lessons" about failure, friendship, maturity, relationships . . . , even super heroes! One of his convictions is that logic and math have a central role to play in the world, and he believes that the consistent use of logic is one of the cornerstones to society's advancing towards the goal of living together in peace. He often thinks the following: "The universe is a pretty big place, but there is only one location in the universe where humans can currently be found: Earth. We need to see ourselves as one human family, because we are the only human family we have."

Daniel Borst

Daniel Borst is a high school math teacher who pursues an interest in applying logic to situations that people--young and old--confront as they make their way through life. As a result, he gives "life lessons" about failure, friendship, maturity, relationships . . . , even super heroes! One of his convictions is that logic and math have a central role to play in the world, and he believes that the consistent use of logic is one of the cornerstones to society's advancing towards the goal of living together in peace. He often thinks the following: "The universe is a pretty big place, but there is only one location in the universe where humans can currently be found: Earth. We need to see ourselves as one human family, because we are the only human family we have."

Juan José López

Juan José is passionate about life, spirituality, soccer, communication, and digital content creation. As a rising Senior at Escuela Americana, he’s been part of the student government across different grade levels. He’s the former NJHS secretary, current member of the G Leaders club and the National Honor Society, part of the senior student government, and the school’s commentator for sports related events. During the pandemic, Juan José was part of the leading staff in Unidos Por El Salvador, which aided over six hundred Salvadoran families in need of food and other resources. He has also helped in multiple social projects promoting the benefits of education and raising awareness of the environmental and socioeconomic issues existing in the region. Juan José is the founder of four different social media organizations including his own YouTube Channel, SirJJ88, which has reached over a million views. Driven by his passion to motivate others, Juan José created Tu Éxito Diario, a motivational page where he posts inspiring messages to his community. To help others achieve their dreams, Juan José is always willing to lend a helping hand to all members of the community.

Julio Saravia

Julio is a 29-year-old communicator and human resource professional with a fair amount of experience working with people in different types of industries. He is a strong promoter of mental health, being accountable, and continuous human skills development in the workplace. Back in High School, Julio graduated in 2012 as Student Council President and as a G-Leaders Club founder. He concluded his higher education with a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications with a specialization in Management, and has completed different type of studies in leadership, human resource management and endomarketing. A passionate reader, foodie, photographer, and museumgoer; Julio is currently in the pursuit of developing an open system organizational culture model based on a strong leadership, daily recognition, employee wellbeing, and goal-oriented teams. He strongly believes that “Many small people, in small places, doing small things can change the world.”

Mariana López

Mariana López, a rising sophomore, is always looking for something else to do. Currently, she has her own business, Sugarbox, founded a the beginning of the Pandemic; is the Teens United for Health Secretary, the Friends Through Sign Language Media Director, and is the regional manager at Guatemala for Operation Hope, a student-led project with the aim of helping current problems in El Salvador and other countries. Additionally, Mariana has taken various government positions through her years at school, including Executive Representative for her ninth grade class and NJHS Secretary. With these opportunities and having lived in El Salvador her whole life, Mariana has had the chance to see first-hand the struggles third world countries face in a society where most people just prioritize their own interests. She has come to realize that the only way society will correct itself is through love and kindness, supporting those around who are in most need. However, this is not a task for just one person, and in her talk Mariana will express this urge for the transformed society we all need.

Ms. Christian Strayhorn

Originally from North Carolina in the United States, Ms. Christian Strayhorn has spent her life as an educator, writer, and lover of life. Originally educated as a historian with a BA in history from NC State University and an MA in history from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, she has taken that passion and respect for the stories of those that have traveled before us to teach, write, and support others in their journeys in the world of education. She has lived and taught in the United States, China, and Brazil. Now in El Salvador, she is the Assistant Director of the Secondary School. Ms. Strayhorn has published 4 books and a research article in a Russian academic journal and taught thousands of students. She is a lover of college athletics, puzzles, and dogs.

Sofía Lemus

Born and raised in El Salvador, Sofia is a rising senior at Escuela Americana. In her spare time she enjoys reading, learning Mandarin, playing the piano and violin, and spending time with her loved ones. Sofia is president of Friends Through Sign Language, which focuses on providing Deaf kids a better education; as well as part of the planning committee for the HeforShe club and a member of the National Honor Society. She was founder of ConeXiones, which focused on helping low-income families during the pandemic and tropical storms Amanda and Cristóbal by providing baskets of basic goods along with blankets and clothes. She advocates for gender and racial equality and believes that education paves the way for social change. As a speaker this upcoming fall, her talk explores how humans can seize the opportunity to improve themselves in unknown circumstances, and how we can find power in being uncomfortable.