In 2018, Philip was battling anxiety and self-doubt, struggling to find his place and confidence. Today, he's known on campus as the “Unofficial Mayor of Mason”—a title he gave himself, but more importantly, a persona that helped him grow into the confident, connected leader he is now. In this inspiring talk, Philip shares how adopting a new identity rooted in Persona, Purpose, and Perseverance helped him transform not only how others saw him, but how he saw himself. His story is a powerful reminder that we all have the ability to reshape our narrative, define our path, and grow into the person we aspire to be—one choice, one conversation, one day at a time. Earlier in 2024, Philip was nominated as the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)’s “Mentor of the Year” for supporting other higher education professionals throughout the country by demonstrating leadership and providing exceptional support his mentee(s). Additionally, he received the “Pillar Award,” which recognizes a GMU staff member who supports Black students. Most recently, he was honored with the Spirit of Giving Award from GMU Advancement for his dedication to fostering community and philanthropy. Philip is also a published author of the book Forty Years of Advice and serves as the faculty advisor for the Iota Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the GMU NAACP chapter. In his free time, he hosts a podcast called Positive Philter, which focuses on well-being and Toastmasters. He is married to Maggie Wilkerson, LCSW (JMU Class of 2007, Social Work), and is the proud father of two boys, Bennett and Miles. 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

What if one phone call could change a life or even save it?In this honest and compassionate talk, psychology student and Nightline director Katerina Bénier explores the overlooked power of helplines in a crumbling mental health system. With personal insight and powerful data, she explains how helplines fill urgent gaps in care, break stigma, and support those who feel voiceless. More than just a “band aid,” helplines offer human connection in moments when it matters most. Kat reminds us that we don’t have to be therapists, politicians, or heroes to change the world sometimes, it starts with simply listening. Katerina Benier is a psychology undergraduate and mental health advocate committed to improving public healthcare, especially in community mental health support. As External Director at Lancaster Nightline, she leads volunteer-driven efforts to provide essential support through helplines like Nightline and Samaritans.In her TEDxLancasterU talk, Katerina will explore the vital role volunteer-run helplines play in addressing the mental health crisis. Drawing from her experience at Lancaster Nightline, she will highlight the importance of helplines, their limitations, and their potential in shaping the future of mental health care.Katerina’s unique combination of academic knowledge and hands-on leadership provides her with a valuable perspective on how volunteer work is integral to the mental health landscape. 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

What if a single note could shift your entire perspective? In this talk, Vismaya reveals how music can really impact one's life. She invites us to explore the transformative power of music—one note at a time. Vismaya Yogesh is passionate musician, aspiring engineer, and dedicated volunteer for the community as a sophomore at Neuqua Valley High School. She is an Indian Classically trained singer, and believes that music is more than just entertainment—It is a universal language that has the power to influence, heal, inspire, and most importantly, connect people together. In her talk, Vismaya hopes to use her passion as her melody, and purpose as her rhythm to allow others to see how music has impacted her, and explore the wonders that music can offer. Music has a groundbreaking capability of changing our perspective of the universe—One note at a time. 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

Creativity doesn’t die as you age— it just morphs. Attacking the root of creativity “deficit” and understanding its okay to feel uncreative. Cormac Flanigan is a freshman at Neuqua Valley. From a young age he’s been obsessed with bugs and has lead this passion into creating an ambitious character with a desire for a voice. Being fairly talkative, Cormac thrilled to be involved in the speech team at his high school. Using these skills, Cormac is interested in sharing his ideas, he will be speaking about fostering creativity in children, how that creativity carries on to later years, and how you can bring creativity in to your own life. 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

What if we treated a heavy heart like any other vital sign? This talk explores how cultural expressions, funding gaps, and siloed care systems leave millions’ distress unheard. Discover how simple shifts in listening, investment, and design can weave mental wellness into daily life and close the 10–20-year mortality gap. Maya Sharma is sophomore at Neuqua Valley High School. She created HAAL, a mental health app that uses mood journaling and AI to help students recognize signs of emotional distress early, which earned national recognition through the Congressional App Challenge. She currently serves on the board of the Youth Advisory Committee for 360 Youth Services, a nonprofit focused on youth mental health and wellness. In her TEDx talk, Maya explores the need for culturally specific and inclusive approaches to mental health. Through technology, advocacy, and her own lived experience, she hopes to reshape how mental health is understood and supported in diverse communities. 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

What if the next life-saving emergency alert didn’t come from the government, but from you? In this talk, Shushan Arora explores how everyday technology and student-driven innovation can transform how people prepare for and respond to natural disasters. Discover how simple technologies could empower communities to act faster and save lives. Shushan Arora is a student at Bolingbrook High School with a passion for using technology to enhance public safety and emergency preparedness. After witnessing the destruction of a tornado in his hometown, he developed Prepshield, an emergency preparedness app designed to help families create personalized safety plans. More than just a tool, Prepshield has helped local residents better prepare for natural disasters and reflects an ongoing effort to explore how AI might one day anticipate threats even before official warnings are issued. For this work, Shushan was recognized as the 2024 Congressional App Challenge winner for Illinois’s 11th Congressional District. Shushan will talk on a youth-led innovation in crisis response. At school, he is the junior varsity captain of the Scholastic Bowl team and participates in Model UN, Best Buddies, Mathletes, The Word, SkillsUSA, and boys volleyball. He believes young people can lead change through accessible, purpose-driven technology. 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