Allison Joaquin
Student
Allison Joaquin is a 17-year-old Senior living in Southern California. Growing up in a community with little Asian American representation, Allison has always been passionate about connecting to her roots through history. Being involved in student leadership programs such as CNH KIWIN’S and HOSA has led her to find her love of leading and serving her community. Through her activism, she strives to give justice to the oppressed and speak for those who have no voice.
Anne Meissner
Student
Anne was born in Germany and moved to California at age 11. Her topic was inspired by the contrasts between European urban design and the more car centric Californian urban design. In her free time she enjoys playing video games, sewing, and playing guitar. In her Future she would like to have a job which involves lab technology or agriculture.
Calista Guese
Student
Calista Guese is a 17-year-old high school senior from Southern California. She is passionate about the power of diverse perspectives; that being different opinions or voices. Having personally experienced circumstances where the value of listening to others was disregarded, Calista is dedicated to emphasizing the significance of every individual's voice in a crowd. Her passion for this cause originated from her own self-expression through slam poetry, which allowed her to speak her own truth, as well as her involvement in mock trial, where she gained an understanding of the importance of each and every perspective. She hopes to remind people that one individual doesn't make a community; to shape our society in the best way it takes many. She hopes to remind people that in order to build a strong community and shape society in the best way possible it requires the collective efforts of many, as one individual alone cannot achieve it.
Casey Calcines
Student
Casey Calcines, a 16-year-old Junior raised in LA. From a young age, he and his brother have been raised by his single mother. From these experiences, he hopes to spread awareness about the greatness a single-parent can do. He enjoys: pottery, music, sewing, and writing. In the future, he aspires to dabble in the areas of cinematography and photography, expressing others through film and picture.
Gavin Delacruz
Student
Gavin Delacruz is a 17 year-old senior from Southern California. He's passionate about public speaking and wants to inspire others to interact and learn about their fellow human. He often spends his time reading, storytelling, and battling through roleplaying games with his friends. He eventually wants to turn his inter-personal skills to people outside his comfort zone and get to understand them better and work through their issues as a therapist.
Ishva Patel
Student
Ishva Patel is a 17-year-old from Camarillo. Ever since she was a child, she has never been able to put down a book. Growing up, she has read books from all genres and has noticed first hand how she is a combination of all of the books she has read. She is passionate about the world of fiction and how much of an impact stories have on society. Her other hobbies include baking, writing, painting, and volunteering in her community. Through this TedTalk, she hopes to express how stories have shaped who we are as human and will continue to do so in the future.
Lorena Ponce
Student
Lorena Ponce, a 17 year old high school senior, from Southern California, has always been passionate about helping people and advocating for injustices in minorities. She hopes to empower women to advocate for their rights, as well as to help all minorities to advocate for equity. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and helping those in need in her community. She has a passion to advocate for equality through healthcare and in society overall. One day, she hopes that her dedication to helping people through advocacy and civil rights will lead her in a position to help others either through law or healthcare.
Paloma Lazaro-Gregson
Student
Paloma is a Sophomore at Rancho Campana High School, her topic is how microsexism is ingrained in society. Palomas is passionate about playing roller derby, working at RC Makes, and doing her best in school. In the future, Palomas dream is to pursue a higher education at a well accredited university.