The continuous battle between memorization and understanding; the experience of learning driven by grades and memorization rather than volitional understanding. Ana is a grade 8 student from Post’s Corners Public School in Oakville, Ontario. In her free time, Ana enjoys reading, writing, music, and topics related to the humanities. She will be speaking about a phenomenon that has affected both herself, and her peers. This is a topic that has played a large part in developing her education and mindset. Ana aims to make her surroundings a better place for those around her one day, through a career in law or policy. 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

Unpacking the ever-evolving relationship with gratitude—from childhood comparisons to highly profound levels of consciousness rooted in presence, perspective, and intentional practice. Audrey is a grade 12 student from Abbey Park High School. She has always been passionate about the idea that our thoughts shape our reality, the way we perceive the world can completely transform how we experience it. In her talk, Audrey dives into something we often hear but rarely stop to understand: gratitude. It is more than just saying thank you. It is a mindset, a lens that shapes how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. She will explore how our environment, identities, and internal dialogue all influence that lens and why recognizing it can be the first step towards real, lasting change. Through personal stories and global examples, Audrey hopes to challenge the way the audience thinks about gratitude and show just how powerful thoughts and perspectives can be in shaping reality. 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

Communication, leadership, and collaboration have unparalleled transformative power. From shy to spry, exploring the power of soft skills can contribute as one of the most important tools for communication in social settings. Adarsh is a student at Brampton Centennial Secondary School. He will be talking about personal development and his own experiences in developing skills that are often overlooked. He felt inspired to talk about this topic due to the fact that these skills aren’t as prioritized as they should be, especially considering the science that’s just now emerging around self-improvement. Adarsh is big on leadership, particularly in hosting events and promoting them in a simple, uncomplicated manner. He believes that the best leaders inspire others to work towards a common goal out of their own volition, rather than just telling others what to do. A quote that he loves is “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. His ultimate objective in life is to have a good work-life balance, though he strives to make an impact on the world and leave it better than he found it. His core values are humility, curiosity, humour, and communication. 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

Infinity has never ceased to puzzle mathematicians, nor will it ever stop doing so. From its fundamental role in mathematics to its mind-bending paradoxes, infinity continues to captivate and push the boundaries of scientific understanding. Nivaan, a grade 8 student from Rotherglen School in Oakville, Ontario. He is motivated to pursue his dreams without hesitation, inspired by the quote, “I want everyone to raise their hand. Now raise it a little bit higher. Ask yourself this question: why didn’t you go 100% the first time?”. Nivaan is also deeply inspired by his parents, who have worked hard to provide him with a wonderful life full of opportunities. 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

Bright ideas for the future often remain distant from the mainstream, as youth face alarming incarceration rates; restorative justice programs offer a way to break this cycle. Sophia is a grade 12 student from Isna High School in Mississauga, Ontario. She is passionate about public speaking, debating, and playing basketball with family and friends. She deeply values respect and empathy. Sophia hopes to shed light on the systematic practices which allow for the continuation of the school-to-prison pipeline and how we can fight it through her speech. Her goal in life is to be able to advocate for others through using her opportunities to shed light on issues that society turns a blind eye to. 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

Reimagining healthcare innovation through creative approaches—such as proactive care, precision medicine, gene editing, and phage therapy—has the power to transform patient outcomes. James is a grade 11 student from Abbey Park High School. His speech will explore how to think outside of the box through bringing to light the troubles that we are encountering in medicine. He is fascinated by how new technological forces shape the medical field. His goal in life is to find meaning in society, with his core values being confidence and independence. Beyond academics, James enjoys playing the piano and swimming. One of his favourite quotes is: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles”. 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