‘This is a work of fiction’. When artists draw from personal experience and actual events, who gets to decide what is truth, and what is fiction? At the heart of the art form is the creator’s ability to tell a story that is both completely invented and undeniably true. Liana Cusmano (they/them) was the 2018, 2019 and 2023 Montreal Slam Champion and runner-up in the 2019 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship. Their first novel, Catch & Release (2022), was published by Guernica Editions. They were also a 2022 finalist for the QWF Spoken Word Prize and the winner of the 2024 Society Pages Poetry Contest. They are currently Fiction Editor at carte blanche and Associate Editor at Accenti Magazine. They have led workshops for writers of all ages and levels of experience through Youth Fusion, ELAN, QWF, the Repertoire culture-éducation, and PIV (Poetry In Voice),as Director of Communications. They have offered writing and editing mentorships through the Association of Italian Canadian Writers and the carte blanche magazine Fresh Pages Initiative. Liana has been a guest speaker and performer at various universities, conferences and literary festivals across the globe. An open, inclusive and intersectional approach is at the core of their practice. 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
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- 7:56Wandering and Wondering is Still Part of the Plan | Vincy Khor | TEDxPOWIIS YouthIndecisiveness can sometimes bring better opportunities. In Vincy's case, hesitantly joining her school's LEO Club (the junior chapter of Lions Club International) in order "to enhance her curriculum vitae" has led her on a remarkable journey of growth. From student leadership roles to a corporate training internship serving Fortune 500 companies, her transformation from self-conscious to self-assured underscores the importance of taking the first step towards change.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 An alumni of Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS) Balik Pulau, Penang, Vincy was the founding president of the school's Soft Skills Committee and pivotally engaged in the revival of the LEO Club of POWIIS after the COVID-19 pandemic. She was the 2024 recipient of the school's Couzens Award for all-round excellence. Since graduating from secondary school, Vincy has taken a gap year which led her to an internship opportunity at a company training corporate clients from Fortune 500 companies. Embarking soon on her undergraduate studies, she believes in the power of taking the first step as embracing opportunities opens up better doors. 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
- 3:21Where have All the Turtles Gone? | Hanson Chen & Hao Ran Yee | TEDxPOWIIS YouthMembers of the Prince of Wales Island International School Marine Conservation enrichment activity engaged in a year-long commitment towards research and hands-on activities to rehabilitate the coastal environment of Penang. As part of their research presentation for the school's STEM carnival, Hanson and Hao Ran shared their findings on the impact of human activity towards sea turtles and how society can help to halt their decline in numbers. 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 Hanson is a student at Prince of Wales Island International School Balik Pulau, Penang. He has a strong interest in Science and joining the Marine Conservation enrichment activity has strengthened his resolve to protect the oceans.Hao Ran is a student at Prince of Wales Island International School Balik Pulau, Penang. His experience participating in the Marine Conservation enrichment activity has enhanced his interest in Science and he enjoys taking part in the various activities that are aimed at rehabilitating the seas around Penang. 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
