A well in her fathers home of Togo inspired her to study water access and remediation. Laura is a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, inspired by her Haitian and Ewe Togolese heritage, her parents’ immigration journey fuels her passion for research. She is Twirler Captain and Auxiliary President of the STA Raider Regiment, lead alto saxophonist and vocalist in the STA Raider Blues Jazz Band, and co-coordinates the St. Helen Youth Ministry. In her TEDx Talk, she discusses bioremediation of eutrophication, emphasizing its global economic impact. 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

Samrat Parasnis, Founder & Chairman of NovaVente Limited, challenges the common misconceptions about sales and shares how the most successful salespeople excel not through scripts or gimmicks, but through trust, belief, and conflict resolution. Drawing from over 25 years of experience building global sales organizations, Samrat takes the audience through real-life stories—like closing high-stakes deals in London, handling crises, and navigating complex negotiations—that reveal the human side of selling. He explains why sales is everywhere in life, from childhood bargaining to professional negotiations, and why trust and authenticity are the ultimate currency in any interaction. This talk is a deep dive into the psychology of influence, the power of belief, and the art of resolving conflict, leaving viewers with actionable insights to succeed in business and in life. "Samrat Parasnis is an entrepreneur and B2B Sales Thought Leader with over 25 years of experience in building, scaling, and enabling world-class sales organizations across global markets.He is the Founder & Chairman of NovaVente Limited, a global Sales Partner Organization headquartered in Reading, United Kingdom. Since its inception in 2015, NovaVente has been the trusted partner for Fortune 500s, mid-sized enterprises, and high-growth startups across the USA, Europe, APAC, and India. Under Samrat’s leadership, NovaVente has helped technology companies design, build, and scale their sales engines — going beyond prospecting and lead generation to drive full-cycle sales, close complex deals, and expand strategic accounts for sustainable revenue growth. 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

Joseph Farrell III discusses the environmental impact of Nurdles in marine environments. Joseph Farrell III (STA Alum) is the Chief Executive Officer of Resolve Marine, bringing 18 years of field operations and business experience to the role. He joined the company in 2006 as a salvage officer and quickly advanced to naval architect and project manager, leading high-profile salvage projects globally. In 2018, he was appointed Director of Business Development, where he managed the company’s U.S. West Coast and compliance divisions, shared resources, marketing and communications, and Resolve Academy. In April 2022, Joe was promoted to Deputy CEO, and in January 2023, he became Chief Operating Officer. In February 2024, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Farrell oversees emergency response, special projects, shared resources, HSEQ, business development, human resources, and finance and administration. 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 this inspiring TEDx talk, Dr. Varsha Agarwal shares her personal journey of courage, resilience, and the power of “beginning.” From raising her hand as a young student to give her first English speech, despite fear and self-doubt, to overcoming academic and health challenges, she emphasizes the importance of taking the first step in life.Dr. Agarwal recounts pivotal moments—struggling in school, preparing for her MBA, facing setbacks in placements, and navigating career breaks—that shaped her path. Through persistence, strategic learning, and continuous self-improvement, she turned obstacles into milestones, eventually leading her to become the Director of the PhD Program at ATLAS SkillTech University, guiding thousands of research scholars, overseeing patents, and publishing groundbreaking work.Her story is a testament to the power of courage, perseverance, and seizing opportunities, showing that beginnings, no matter how uncertain, pave the way for extraordinary growth. This talk is a motivational guide for anyone facing fear, doubt, or challenges in their personal or professional journey. Dr. Varsha Agarwal, Ph.D. in Healthcare Service Quality from Christ University, Bangalore, is the Director of the Doctoral Program and Research Promotions at ATLAS SkillTech University. With over a decade of experience in academia, industry, and research, she is dedicated to advancing the research culture at the university. Dr. Agarwal has published over 80 papers, authored five books, and holds seven patents. She has trained 45,000+ students and faculty and is certified in data analysis by Harvard and Johns Hopkins universities. Renowned for her leadership in organizing academic events, she has hosted Global Summits featuring luminaries like Dr. Philip Kotler, Dr. David Aaker, and Dr. Marshall Goldsmith. Dr. Agarwal has also organized TEDx events and serves as a reviewer for CRC Press and Emerald Journals. Her work has been presented at prestigious forums, including IIMs and the Harvard Conference in 2021. 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

Silvia discusses the change in mindset needed to combat waste. Sylvia is a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, a Silver Knight Nominee for Digital and Interactive Media, founded Raidernauts (NASA Club) and InterTech. InterTech repurposes technology to support low- income students in Broward County and Colombia while reducing e-waste. Silvia has helped create three computer labs in Colombia, repurposing 41 Chromebooks, three computers, and a robot. 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

Ryan discusses the skills needed for modern Eco-tech employees Ryan began his career with Right Management in 2009, joining the accounting team where he played a key role in implementing an updated accounting system. In October 2019, Ryan was promoted to President of Right Management Florida/Caribbean, where he is responsible for driving the growth and development of the region. Under his leadership, the Florida/Caribbean division has experienced significant expansion in the outplacement business, leading to the addition of team members and the creation of innovative consulting solutions to meet the increasing demand. Ryan is known for his inspirational leadership, consistently driving impactful activity and delivering successful outcomes for both associates and clients. 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