Dt. Nidhi Nigam shares her deeply personal journey of navigating body shaming, weight struggles, and the harsh judgments society places on appearances. Drawing from her experiences and her work as a clinical nutritionist, she highlights the importance of self-acceptance, resilience, and women's empowerment in the face of societal bias. Her talk is a powerful reminder that true health is not just about physical appearance, but also about confidence, dignity, and embracing one's identity unapologetically. Nidhi Nigam is a clinical Nutritionist, health Coach, and TEDx speaker with over 13 years of experience in therapeutic nutrition, weight management, and lifestyle counseling. As the founder of Nutrify with Nidhi Nigam, I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals achieve their health goals through personalized, evidence-based strategies.Her journey in the field of nutrition has been one of passion, resilience, and impact. From transforming lives through holistic health approaches to empowering women with knowledge and confidence, her story needs to be heard—not just as an expert, but as someone who has witnessed firsthand the power of the right nutrition in shaping lives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In high-stakes moments, many of us feel pressure to stay silent, to wait for the right moment, or to hope someone else speaks up. But what if the most powerful thing we can do is simply to be present, and to find our voice—even when unprepared?In this talk, Maggie Beckett explores the power of speaking up and challenges young leaders to own their place in decision-making spaces. She offers a compelling blueprint for stepping into these crucial moments with courage and clarity, and the importance of supporting those who do. This is a powerful call to action for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider looking in. Maggie Beckett is the Youth Mayor of Milton Keynes for the 2024–2025 term and a passionate advocate for youth engagement in politics. First elected to the MK Youth Cabinet in 2022, Maggie quickly rose to become Chair, leading its transition into the current Youth Council. She is committed to making political education more accessible and breaking down barriers between young people and decision-making spaces. As Youth Mayor, Maggie champions the voices of young people across Milton Keynes and serves as a representative on the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee of the MK Council. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Sophomore Emmet Stitely stands in his teen shoes, on the sidelines of the AI revolution, and wonders about the rules of this new technology. “All my friends are using it,” he says. “So should I?” At 16, Stitely sees the costs of asking a program to write a paper or solve his math problems. Using research and perspectives from both sides of this debate, Stitely explores the unprecedented time he and his classmates find themselves navigating. Emmet Stitely gave this talk as a sophomore at Chatham High School. He plays varsity volleyball and varsity soccer, as well as participates in a handful of school clubs. After seeing his soccer teammate do the TedX event, he knew it was what he wanted to do because of his passion for creative writing and public speaking. When Emmet is not playing a sport or grinding out homework, you can find him spending time with his close-knit friend group and lifeguarding at the pool. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Reading can have a profound impact on an individual’s perspective. When reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Cara Lynch found herself empathizing with Angelou’s difficult childhood and feelings of abandonment. As our world grows more and more polarized, she says, we need to strengthen our muscles of compassion and curiosity. Cara Lynch gave this talk as a sophomore at Chatham High School. She is passionate about helping those around her, and aspires to one day work in health care. Cara loves to share her compassion within the Chatham community; she does this by volunteering through the school's Key Club, serving as an assistant Stage Manager for the Middle School plays, and fundraising for various organizations with the Cougars Care Club. She is a varsity member of the CHS sailing team, where she acts as social media manager and will serve as Co-Captain next year. The daughter of two lawyers, Cara values the importance of public speaking.When she can find some free time, Cara enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the beach, and reading a good book. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

As a young teen, Noelle Grady struggled with the unrelenting pressure to have an ideal body. As she scrolled social media, her feelings of unworthiness and self-loathing grew. This talk explores the growing epidemic of comparison, which is fueled by social media and causes mental health challenges for younger and younger children. How do we get back to honoring our own selves? Grady asks. Noelle Grady gave this talk as a sophomore at Chatham High School. As a dedicated athlete in both the basketball and volleyball programs, she thrives in the team environment. Off the court, Grady has a big heart for taking care of others. She spends time volunteering at the local nursing home, where she enjoys bringing joy to the residents. If you catch her with any ounce of free time, you’ll find her hanging out with her friends and family. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

With exponential opportunities to connect with others – through texting, social media and email – our language is rapidly expanding and changing. In this talk, David Demakos explores the fast-pacing changes in slang and how one generation often can’t “hear” another. By slowing down and getting curious, Demakos concludes, we can truly listen to and support our fellow humans. David Demakos is a freshman in the Elliot School for International Affairs and Political Science at George Washington University and gave this talk as a senior at Chatham High School. David was an active leader at Chatham High School: They helped plan the Baccalaureate program; they were a leader in Model United Nations, the Managing Editor for the Chronicle, and the secretary of Book Club. A passionate public speaker, Demakos was excited to take the TedX class and speak on stage. Demakos is fluent in French and Spanish and has a passion for learning languages. In their free time Demakos plays piano and loves to read. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx