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).

Old Scona Academic
10523 84 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, T6R 0P1
Canada

Alex Dudek

Old Scona Academic High School Student

Alex Dudek is a 10th grade student at Old Scona Academic. Intrigued by the idea of stepping out of his comfort zone into new realities, and exploring what the world has to offer beyond his own perspectives, he has come to realize the true significance of the famous proverb, “a journey of 1000 miles starts with the first step”. Whether it be leading STEM initiatives, participating in chemistry and Polish competitions, or even running during sunsets, many of his interests to this day have stemmed from his desire to try new things. In his speech, Alex will discuss the influence of this proverb in his own life, specifically how it has motivated him to take the first step on his cross country skiing journey. Although this first step may have been one of initial uncertainty and truly highlighted the idea of “expectations versus reality”, he hopes to emphasize that exploring new, challenging horizons can be the start of a journey that may spark a life-long passion.

Bella Jiao

Old Scona Academic High School Student

For as long as she could remember, Bella was passionate about art, science, and the humanities, yet for that same duration of time, she was told that she should only be passionate about science, or a subject of equal ‘value’. In her efforts to become skilled at everything she valued, Bella continues to do a multitude of activities ranging from frequently taking math contests and attending debate tournaments to being a member of the Art Gallery of Alberta Youth Council. As an artist, a writer, and an avid enjoyer of the sciences and humanities, Bella wishes to prove that individuals are not solely limited to one passion. In her speech, she would like to discuss the arbitrary value that society places on various interests as well as the double standards of praising ‘curiosity’ through an analysis of her own life and identity.

Evan Yin

Old Scona Academic High School Student

Evan is a Grade 12 student and connoisseur of all things sparkly, colourful, loud, or generally bizarre. This perpetual hunt for excitement and diversity has led him towards a one-way nosedive into the arts, where he has made a name for himself through his skills in performance, creativity, and theory. Evan is a national award-winning concert pianist, composer, music teacher, and freelance graphic designer, intent on one day finding the time and energy to bring all his passions together to build his multi-media earth-shattering magnum opus. But currently on a more practical plane of existence, he instead delights in sharing his discoveries with all that are willing to listen and instilling in others the same relentless desire to create, question, challenge, and love. Evan now spends much of his artistic career as the founder and president of Music Spirit Society, an organization dedicated to connecting young musicians across Alberta to learning resources and performance opportunities.

Jackie Cai

Old Scona Academic High School Student

Jackie Cai is many things: a filmmaker, an athlete, a high school student, a leader, a follower, and most importantly, a storyteller. As a previous TEDxOldSconaAcademic speaker, Jackie uses his voice to focus on his personal experiences going through high school and the important lessons he learned about himself. This year, Jackie explores the struggle of growing out of a past identity and the journey in finding oneself through the trials and tribulations of high school. He shares his navigation of the restrictions of old relationships, inability to fully express himself, feeling unsatisfied with his progress versus ambition, and the gruelling task of pushing himself out of his lows. He hopes his hardships and his ensuing resilience will resonate with others and that his story will encourage them to continue their ventures.

Jola Moyela

Old Scona Academic High School Student

Jola Moyela, a grade 12 student at Old Scona Academic High School is a lover of literature, science, and all kinds of music. She is an avid explorer of the power young people have, the change they can incite in their communities. She believes that everybody, no matter their defining factors, has the ability to make the world a better place. She exemplifies this ideal in her school community, pushing for inclusion and diversity, and in her personal life. She encourages everyone to live a life rich in experiences that allows for stories worth telling.

Jonelle Li

Old Scona Academic High School Student

Jonelle is a Grade 10 student with a passion for sports, speech & debate, and community service. Her love for sports began at a young age, and she has since excelled in competitive swimming, dance, and volleyball. She is an accomplished debater, with a keen interest in public speaking and she’s also the Alberta’s representative of LCOY Canada, advocating for environmental protection and sustainability. Her hard work has earned her numerous awards and recognition but not all of them came with ease. Jonelle has learned to bounce back and develop her resilience instead of shutting down in the face of adversity. Her passion for helping others is transferred into her TEDx Talk where she shares her experiences on resilience and how to become someone’s support network. Jonelle believes that supporting others is the easiest way to overcome difficulty and as a debate coach, she is constantly sharing her expertise with junior high students, helping them develop their critical thinking skills.

Katherine Cai

Old Scona Academic High School Student

Katherine Cai is an enthusiastic, outgoing student in Grade 10 at Old Scona Academic. Her passion for public speaking began at a young age, and since then, she has attended numerous speech and debate tournaments both nationally and internationally. In her TEDx talk, Katherine will explore the topic of expectations and challenge the audience to reevaluate the expectations they are setting for themselves. Drawing on her own experiences in speech and debate, she will share insights and ideas that will inspire and motivate listeners to think differently about the world around them.