Theme: Who Are We Becoming?

This year’s TEDxArbutus Ridge Youth event explores the powerful theme: Who Are We Becoming?

In a world shaped by rapid change—technological innovation, cultural shifts, global challenges, and new definitions of identity—we invite young thinkers, creators, and visionaries to reflect on the question: Who are we becoming as individuals, as communities, and as a generation?

From mental health to AI, climate action to cultural expression, this event is a space where youth voices lead the conversation about the kind of future we’re building—one choice, one idea, one action at a time.

Join us for a day of bold stories, creative insights, and meaningful dialogue as we discover not just where we are going, but who we are becoming.

Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
950 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC
Floor 1
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 2N7
Canada

Alice Xin

Co-founder of Sparks Youth Art and Service Association

Hi, my name is Alice and I'm currently a grade 9 student at Collingwood. I really love spending with my older sister, who has been my role model and inspiration my entire life, as well as hanging out with my friends anytime I can. Whenever I have spare time, I enjoy reading philosophical and classic books, writing, going on walks, and watching comfort shows on netflix. I also love listening to music, organizing my multiple spotify playlists, and mass buying jellycats for both myself and the people that I cherish most. I am mostly anxious to be giving a TedX speech, as I usually have an aversion and fear for speaking in front of crowds, but I'm also really glad to have been given this opportunity.

Andrew Xiong

Speaker

Hi! My name is Andrew, and I’m 12 years old. I’m in Grade 6 and I really enjoy being active. Two of my favorite hobbies are playing hockey and mountain biking. I love the speed and teamwork in hockey, and when I’m on my bike, I feel free and full of energy. I also enjoy spending time with friends, learning new things at school, and challenging myself to improve. Whether I’m on the ice or riding through trails, I always try my best and have fun. I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and trying new adventures.

Hannah Madani

Speaker

Hello everyone! My name is Hannah, and I am a 6th grader who attends Ecole Pauline Johnson. I can speak 3 and a half languages, English, Mandarin, Farsi, and a little bit of French. I absolutely love Artistic Swimming, because I love to dance, and I love to swim, so Voila! Artistic Swimming! In my freetime, I love to read, write, make crafts, and listen to music. I enjoy hanging out with my friends, and family, and socializing with people. I am very excited to having an opportunity to give a TEDx speech. I have always enjoyed speaking in front of a large crowd. I enjoy Freestyle Skiing up on Cypress Mountain. I love the feeling of the cold air whipping my face, as I speed through trees, and navigate moguls. One of my many favourite places to be is in my garden at home, there are so many different plants, and flowers there, including, pear, apple, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and so on! At school one of my favourite subject is Music, because I love playing the ukulele.

Kingsley Wu

Speaker

Hi everyone! I am Kingsley and I attend Collingwood. My hobbies involve basketball, go-karting, and dabbling in music. These activities grant me the most authentic version of myself, and they help me stay active and creative. I particularly love learning new things, especially in mathematics. Solving challenging math problems is very refreshing and it inspires me to think differently. I always look forward to learning new things when I am fully engaged in activities like basketball, running, or even writing a cheerful tune. There is always something fascinating to uncover in the world and each new day brings fresh opportunities to ask new questions and turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Marcus Zhou

Speaker

Hello! I'm Marcus and I am going into 11th grade attending St George's School. I have many different hobbies, such as volleyball, filmmaking, badminton, travel, hiking, and music. Some of my favourite artists currently are Drake, J.Cole, and Daniel Caesar. I am a big risk taker, and enjoy trying new and different activities. This is my first TedX speech and I am both excited and a little anxious at the same time. I try to bring a strong sense of curiosity to everything I do, and also hope to just have fun.

Robert Xu

Speaker

Hi everyone! My name is Robert and I am currently attending Steveston London Secondary. My favourite sport is badminton because I can express my true identity on the court. Besides that, I also enjoy skiing, traveling, and camping. These activities allow me to explore the environment around me and it also helps me connect with nature. Some things that I do in my free time include listening to music, biking, and reading. I love hanging out with my friends and family, especially during the weekend or summer. When I'm bored, I try to challenge myself to try new things such as boxing, golf or even learning a new skill! This is my first TEDx event, and I am honoured to have this opportunity and I intend to give it my best shot!

Shengchen Gao

Speaker

Hi, my name is Shengchen. I’m a Grade 10 student studying at Magee Secondary School. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports like soccer, swimming, and tennis. I also love playing Go, a traditional Chinese board game that challenges the mind. Listening to pop music is another one of my favorite hobbies—it helps me relax and unwind after a busy day.

Shengxuan Gao

Speaker

My name is Gao, I'm a grade 11 student at Magee Secondary School. I am enjoying in badminton hiking and music. This is my first speech in TEDX, I t felt very excited and tried to do my best to share my stories.

Tina Yang

President of iSmart Multicultural Youth Association, Member of Sparks Youth Art and Service Association, and Captain of school dance team

I’m currently a Grade 11 student at WVSS. I like to ski, dance competitively, and play golf. I’m really passionate about dance—I do hip hop, K-pop, and contemporary, and I’m also the captain of our dance crew. I enjoy working as a team and expressing myself through movement. When I’m alone, I like to listen to music. Some of my favorite artists are Ye West, Summer Walker, and Sexyy Redd. Music helps me relax and reflect. I also love matcha lattes—they're my go-to drink and always put me in a good mood.

Willie Lin

Self-help & Self-improvement

Hi, my name is Willie Lin. Over the past three years, I’ve worked hard on my mindset, which has made my life feel more exciting and fulfilling. I’m really into calisthenics, weight lifting, self-help books and talks, and day trading. My dream is to become a successful day trader so I can spend my days doing what I love instead of working at a job I don’t enjoy. I also believe life itself is an incredible opportunity, and I try to live in a way that stays mindful and positive.