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).

Durham Academy Middle School
3116 Academy Rd
Durham, North Carolina, 27707
United States

Aneesh Patkar

Speaker

Aneesh Patkar is a sophomore at Durham Academy Upper School. He enjoys swimming, playing tennis, playing video games, and talking and hanging out with friends, anywhere from restaurants to bowling alleys. Most of all, he loves finding answers to difficult questions, both in class and in the real world.

Connor Ennis

Speaker

Connor Ennis is a Junior at Durham Academy with a passion for sustainability, as shown in his TEDx speech "How to be a Raindrop in a Storm", which was on the subject of individual action in the face of the global climate crisis. Besides striving to help the planet in and out of school, he is also on the Speech & Debate, Cross Country, and Track teams, as well as participating in the school musical. His MBTI type is ENTJ-A (if you know what that means), and in his spare time, he loves to make/listen to music, play hacky-sack or DnD, and go on walks.

Elizabeth Wong

Speaker

Elizabeth Wong talks about the use of Chinese takeout food as a vehicle for discrimination in America by recounting her own experiences with cultural pride. She explains the history and transformation of Chinese food in America and highlights some implications and steps forward. She is an avid reader, foodie, and fan of Formula 1 racing. She is heavily involved in the speech and debate community where she participates in international extemporaneous speaking which has opened her eyes to varying political perspectives around the world. She hopes to pursue a career in business or finance in the future and eventually start her own company one day.

Ella Simmons

Speaker

Ella Simmons is a Senior from Durham, North Carolina. She has been an avid member of her school’s FIRST Robotics Team, DARC SIDE, during high school and plans to pursue engineering and robotics further in college. Ella is also passionate about planes and is currently working towards her private pilot’s license.

London Burnham

Organizer and Speaker

London Burnham is a Senior at Durham Academy where she plays Field Hockey, competes in Science Olympiad, and sings in XIV Hours acapella group. She loves ice skating, heist movies, and her dogs. Although London enjoys many subjects, she is fascinated by the intersection of Psychology and Political Science. She's spent the past year studying the Psychology of Power, with a specific focus on the psychological dynamics that allow oppressive leaders to hold power over those they oppress.

Triyakshari Venkataraja

Speaker

Triyakshari Venkataraja is an avid learner with a keen interest in neuroscience, psychotic disorders, and criminology. Apart from her education, she engages in a variety of brain-stimulating passions—chess, piano, taekwondo, and classical Indian (Carnatic) vocal—to maintain her trillions of neural connections. Triya looks forward to continuing her education in neuroscience throughout college and beyond.