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).

Battle Mountain High School
151 Miller Ranch Road
Edwards, Colorado, 81632
United States

Amy Dose

Artist

In honor of my sixteenth birthday, my mother and I traveled from my hometown of Memphis to Nashville, Tennessee to see an exhibition of impressionist paintings. I can remember with great vividness how I first felt standing in front of Renoirs and Monets. Everything around me disappeared. My chest tightened, my eyes welled up with tears... I couldn't hear or speak. I was absolutely blown away. The power in those paintings was something that I couldn't define.

Carly Keyes

Student

Carly is a driven and compassionate individual who is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. Currently a senior at Vail Christian High School, Carly has a wide range of interests and hobbies, including skiing, reading, yoga, and exploring new activities. With a passion for helping others and spreading positivity, Carly aspires to be a change agent, sharing her story and experiences to inspire others and make a difference in their lives. Through her own personal struggles and hardships, Carly has gained a unique perspective and wisdom that she hopes to use to help others facing similar challenges. Carly is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, mental health advocacy, and finding joy in every moment. Whether it's through her involvement in community service organizations or her upcoming TED talk about the beauty of life and seizing new opportunities, Carly is always looking for ways to make a positive impact.

Casey Cuny

Teacher

At the age of 13, Casey Cuny was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. Cuny remembers his teachers as his source of hope in that difficult time, helping him realize what he was capable of. They inspired him to pursue a career in teaching — to give back and honor their impact on his life. Cuny teaches 10th grade honors English and senior mythology and folklore at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, California. He serves as English department chair and the school’s instructional coach. He also teaches at National University in the Master of Education program —working with teachers from all over the country.

Cat Ridgeway

Musician

Recently voted Orlando's Best Rock Act and Best Singer/songwriter (2 years running), Cat Ridgeway is a powerhouse performer from Orlando, FL known for her soulful vocals, high energy, and magnetic stage presence. Her 2020 release, ‘Nice to Meet You,’ marked her debut as a fully independent artist to commercial radio and a touring musician that has landed on many publications’ “Ones to Watch” lists.

Charlotte Chang

entrepreneur

s an entrepreneur and curious systems thinker, Charlotte thrives on connecting the dots between diverse ideas, unraveling the intricacies that form a bigger puzzle. Nothing excites her more than brainstorming disruptive ideas with friends, especially in the realms of outer space and food tech. As a freshman studying Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation at USC’s Iovine and Young Academy, she ultimately hopes to leverage engineering to innovate solutions to global challenges. Currently, she is building a social travel app for collaborative trip planning alongside her co-founders from the University of Southern California. Committed to fostering innovative spirit, she hopes to inspire others to be bold, take risks and embrace out-of-the-box thinking. Through her naturally bubbly, optimistic energy, she strives to be everyone’s biggest cheerleader!

Chase Williams

Student

Chase is a very dedicated person. With his passion for what he does, both for education and for fun. He enjoys a large passion for learning microbiology and studying immunologicy. He loves learning how to play a variety of instruments like the double bass and tenor saxophone. He comes alive in musical theater and singing in choir. He truly loves spending time with friends. Fun fact: he wields a lightsaber (yes) with the precision of a swordsmith.

Christina Fitzpatrick

Student

Christina Fitzpatrick. a Sophomore at Vail Christian Highschool, has lived in Vail Valley her entire life. She feels finding her young voice through her TEDxTalk is powerful path to finding out how to share what she has learned with public speaking. She is coming to terms with losing people from death, distance, or disagreement. It is hard no matter the circumstance. Her talk empowers people to get help when they are feeling down, to open up and reach out when they need, and to always be themselves. Most people aren't comfortable talking about death and loss. Her Talk changes that. Iron sharpens iron, and I want to do my best to make a difference and let everyone know they are not alone."

Emit Brown

Student

Emit Brown is an Eagle Valley High School senior. They advocate for LGBTQ, racial, and healthy relationship education in schools. Why does Emit advocate for this type of education? Emit is a part of the LGBTQ community and is biracial (Jicarilla Apache/Mexican/White). They hope that others receive this education at younger ages than Emit did. Why education on healthy relationships? When Emit was 14, they got into an abusive relationship. FUN FACTS: Emit was chosen to be on the “20 under 20 journalists” list for 2022 by PBS NewsHour Emit was part of the SRL Academy (Run by PBS Newshour) in 2022 Emit is a playwright and an actress Emit will go to the University of New Mexico to play rugby and study film Emit does three snow sports (Skiing/snowboarding/snow feet)

Maitreyi Muralidhar

Student

Maitreyi Muralidhar has always loved stories, be it the bedtime fairytales her mother read to her, or the poetry infused writings she posts on her blog. Listening to stories and sharing them are the reasons why she picked up a pen and a postcard and began her expedition around the globe. She has sent and received more than 260 postcards from over 40 countries and built several friendships along the way: all through the power of snail mail! Maitreyi believes that writing postcards can help bridge the gap between borders, bring together people of all ages, cultures, and perspectives, and form the first step towards becoming a global citizen. She hopes to spread this passion for writing postcards to as many people as possible and encourage future generations to keep this hobby ablaze! Maitreyi is also an avid reader, swimmer, quizzer, and a budding scientist.

Nicole Cantele

Student

Nicole Cantele is Xtremely Xtroverted energetic student at Vail Mountain School. She loves her friends, the beach, puppies, and sushi. Originally from MExico City, she lives in Vail with her active family. She has passion for tennis, figure skating, and ski racing. She has suffered the sadness of suicie in her family and has found the resilience to go through each day after that.

Skylar Liu

Student

Skylar is an aspiring changemaker and entrepreneur. She would love to launch a business related to the future of food technologies such as hydroponics, cellular agriculture, and genetic engineering. Currently, she is innovating a floating garden that uniquely combines regenerative ocean farming and hydroponics to reverse global warming and freshwater scarcity. She is also keen on learning other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. She would like to remove the stigma around women in the fields of STEM and business. Skylar likes to relax by curling up with a good novel, publishing writings, listening to music, and exploring cultures worldwide through their local languages and cuisines. She surprises family and friends with her homemade pad thai and banana bread.

Zara Pehlivani

Student

Zara Pehlivani is a high school junior with a passion for speaking, writing, language, and music. She is a competitive fencer and a casual cellist and poet. She is fascinated by the human brain, and hopes to delve deeper in the field of neuroscience. She aspires to combine this interest with law and public policy to create a meaningful impact in the future of biotechnology. She has participated in several global pitch competitions related to problem-solving with STEM and is affiliated with numerous youth entrepreneurship organizations. Above all else, Zara loves to read, travel, and meet new people. She values new experiences, skills, and perspectives and is always eager for new opportunities to broaden her horizons.