Theme: Press Play

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).

TEDxClintonMiddleSchoolStudio
75 Chenango Ave S
Clinton, New York, 13323
United States

Allen Guy Wilcox

Artistic Director

Allen Guy Wilcox was born in Cooperstown, NY, and raised on his family’s farm, Woodshill Homestead, in Sauquoit. He graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont with a degree in English literature and minor in Religion, and lived and worked for fifteen years in NYC before returning to the farm, where he now lives with his wife and daughter. In 2016, Allen helped found The Theater at Woodshill, a Shakespeare theater company, where he serves as Artistic Director. At Woodshill he has performed the roles of Benedick, Orlando, Hamlet, Oberon, and Theseus, and he made his directorial debut in 2022 with a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Allen is also the founder of Time’s Arrow, a new way of exploring great literature online in a highly contextualized, multimedia-supported environment. In all his pursuits he endeavors to maintain a spirit of welcoming and invitation that he learned from his mother, Mary Mizzi Wilcox. Discover more at woodshill.org & timesarrow.org.

Dan Blanchard

Author, Speaker, Educator, TV Host, and philanthropist

Dan Blanchard, Bestselling and Award-Winning Author, Speaker, Educator, TV Host, and philanthropist is also a 2-time Junior Olympian Wrestler and Junior Olympian Wrestling Coach, and a veteran of the Army and Air Force. Growing up as a student-athlete, he is the first to admit that there was more athlete than a student. To make up for it, he completed 14 years of college and earned 7 degrees. Dan is a Special Education teacher in Connecticut at an alternative high school. He is a Teacher Consultant for the University of Connecticut’s Writing Project and the face and voice for educational reform for the American Federation of Teachers. Dan is also the president of the Teen leadership Network and the Association of Publishers for Special Sales. As an educator, author, speaker, and parent of five, Dan feels he must positively influence our youth every chance he gets! He lives with his wife, Jennifer, their children, and their family dog, Willow, in Connecticut.

Dr. Sugandika T Subawickrama

Psychotherapist

Dr. Sugi is originally from Sri Lanka. She is a licensed psychotherapist, a certified substance abuse clinician. She is a strategic leader and a motivational speaker as well. Dr. Sugi has worked in Behavioral Health, Mental Health, quality, research, and Substance Abuse Counseling for over 20 years. Her educational journey in Sri Lanka, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States helped her to learn coping strategies and leadership skills. Dr. Sugi completed her Doctorate from Liberty University, and is affiliated with Sigma Beta Delta and Omega Nu Lambda Honor Societies. In addition, she is a Six Sigma Black Belt and a member of the American Counseling Association. She also serves as a chairwoman for youth at the VFW. She has been selected/accepted to the roster for the Fulbright Specialist Program. Dr. Sugi is a volunteer TED translator/reviewer/language supervisor and has two YouTube channels in Sinhala and English on Mental Health and empowering individuals.

Jack Wilson

Student

Jack Wilson, a 7th grader studying at CCS, has a passion for Formula One racing and a heart full of love for dogs. His incredible skills in robotics and engineering led him to participate in the FIRST Lego League, where he emerged victorious in the competition. He is a proud dog owner of an adorable canine named Ellie, whom he cherishes dearly. Being the only child in his family, his favorite color, red, reflects his energetic and passionate personality. Alongside his love for pizza and chocolate, he enjoys exploring the world and learning about new cultures.

Jermiko Thomas

Author

Jermiko Thomas is a passionate Entrepreneur, Speaker, and International Award-Winning Author. Growing up, he didn’t start talking until he was six years old and also learned sign language. While doctors deemed him to be mentally slow, he still persevered and ended up testing out of the resource program in his junior year of high school. Harnessing the innate power of knowledge and reading any book he could get his hands on, his life underwent a complete transformation, and he ultimately made it his purpose to help people dismantle those no-outlet signs once and for all. Jermiko strongly believes that no roadblock is too large. Similarly, no dream is too big, so he encourages his clients to overcome any challenges that come their way and chase after their dreams relentlessly and unapologetically. In sharing his story, he strives to awaken the infinite potential in others, for that is one of the key ingredients to paving the path to lasting success.

John Shableski

Speaker and Developer

John Shableski is a nationally recognized expert in the development of the graphic novel/manga/comics category for the publishing industry including bookstores, libraries, and classrooms. He has served as a judge for the Eisner Awards and the Lynd Ward Prize at Penn State. He helped create and launch the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grant program for the American Library Association and he also helped develop the Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards for Pop Culture Classroom. Along with editorial development, design, and strategic planning, his scope of expertise includes the study of industry trends and market development. He has been a guest speaker for schools, conferences, book shows, comics and gaming conventions across the country and around the planet.

Lizzie Moore

Student

Lizzie Moore is a remarkable student leader who serves as the Student Council President of her school. She deeply values her relationships with her friends, family, and her school community. Her exceptional commitment to philanthropy earned her recognition as a recipient of the Hundred Heroes Award. In addition to her leadership skills, Lizzie is a multitalented artist, writer, and actor, who pursues her passions with equal enthusiasm. Her experience in leadership and creativity has inspired her to become a teacher in the future, where she aims to share her unique insights and experiences with her students.

Lucas Mazzei

Student

Lucas Mazzei, a soon-to-be-13-year-old, has a huge heart and a love for dogs that knows no bounds. Drawing and creating masterpieces are his passions, and he pours his soul into every piece. He has a little brother named Vincent whom he adores. Despite his young age, he takes pride in the small things and has a heart full of support and compassion for all. His favorite color is purple, and he enjoys spending time with his friends and savoring delicious food. He is exceptional in his field and always strives to do his best. His eagerness to help others is unwavering, and he hopes that you will join him in making a difference.

Sindhu Surapaneni

Student Artist

Sindhu Surapaneni is a creative artist, cultural enthusiast, dancer, international storyteller, TEDx speaker, change-maker, and student body president at Selkirk Middle School—all at just 14 years old! At the age of 11, she became an art instructor, guiding over 400 free creative sessions on Zoom and Facebook Live during the pandemic. Sindhu began offering art workshops and selling her artwork, donating more than $20,000 to charities that support low-income and homeless families. You can find her artwork displayed in Washington and New York public schools, city halls, libraries, universities, health facilities, and credit unions. Sindhu has won the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award (twice), the title of young woman leader, the Spokane Young Philanthropy Award, and the Most Inspiring Youth Award. She's been featured on several media outlets, with her story being broadcasted around the world to further spread her mission. Sindhu runs Imaginations2Creation, a nonprofit.

Sri Nihal Tammana

Environmental Campaigner

Sri Nihal Tammana is a 13-year-old schoolboy and environmental campaigner from Edison, New Jersey. He was inspired to act when he learned that 15 billion batteries are thrown away each year around the world. Nihal first learned of these issues at age 10 and began collecting used batteries. In 2019, he founded the nonprofit organization Recycle My Battery to promote and facilitate the recycling of used batteries. The organization installs free battery recycling bins and educates people about battery recycling. In 3 years, Nihal has built a team of over 300 student volunteers globally, recycled over 225,000 used batteries, and educated over 10 million people. For his work, he has won multiple international awards and gained recognition from politicians, business leaders, and his peers. His motto continues to inspire young people that they too can make a difference: “If I can make Earth a better place to live, you can! If you can make Earth a better place to live, we all can!”

Sucheta Rawal

Author. Food & Travel Writer. Speaker

Sucheta Rawal is an award-winning South Asian food and travel writer contributing to over two dozen publications including TIME Magazine, CNN, Travel+Leisure, HuffPost, and AAA. Sucheta is a five-time author of 'Beato Goes To' series of children's books that educate kids about the diversity of the world. She has personally traveled to over 100 countries across seven continents and writes about her experiences from her firsthand perspective. She also founded the non-profit, Go Eat Give, to raise awareness of different cultures through travel, food and community service. Sucheta’s mission is to promote meaningful and sustainable travel for the betterment of the global community. Read more at www.suchetarawal.com

Warren Sanutha Pinnawalage

Student

Warren is a 9-year-old, 4th grader, who is a proud Boy Scout. Born in New York, Warren is bi-lingual, speaking Sinhala, the official language of Sri Lanka. His speaking journey started when he was four years old, at his first presentation was at a cultural show in Staten Island. Warren is working on his Presidential Volunteer Service Award. He is highly involved with VFW and is a regular volunteer. He is in the school choir team and band, a drummer and pianist. His cultural drum activity was also featured in an international children’s TV program. He is a gardener and has been featured in international newspapers and on TV. He was a member of “Muthuhara”; (Children’s Talent showcase group) and Sunday school. He is an athlete, and he is involved in tennis, basketball, swimming, and soccer. He is a good cook and a pet lover; his pets are a dog (Ace), a hamster, a guinea pig, a goldfish, and a turtle.

Xiang “Leo” Liu

Author & Speaker

Xiang “Leo” Liu Is a 9th grade student, and even though he's 15 years old, he already has a lot of different projects on his plate: Leo is the owner of Super Meteors Basketball, an AAU Basketball club. Leo's greatest passion is taking on challenges, and to him nothing is as exciting as trying to change the world. Leo has previously spoken at a previous TEDx event, TEDxEustis, where he gave his speech titled "Building Connections Between Generations," a theme that he later built on in his book, "A World Split in Two: Generational Division." In both his talk and book, Leo emphasizes that if we want progress to be made in the world, then we're all going to have to slow down and listen to each other: without perspective, it's hard to progress. Recently, Leo has also started a multimedia project titled "Educate the Globe," which aims to encourage connection between teachers and students with both an annual publication and a podcast.