Sofia Vea discusses city planning, things that work, things that don't work and what cities might look like in the future. Sofia Vea is a senior day student from Seaside, and it is her fourth year at Catalina. When not in class, she can be found after school in the PAC rehearsing for school shows, singing with ecco!, or performing onstage. She is part of Senate, organizing the Grazing Patch; is a co-head of Granny Club; and has been a co-head of ecco! for two years. She has loved getting to watch TEDxSCS for the past three years, and watching the Catalina student speakers truly inspired her to participate. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of it this year! 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

Izzy Toole speaks about her non profit Books For Africa, an organization that has supplied thousands of books to Africa. All run by high school students. Izzy Toole is a Santa Catalina junior who grew up in Dallas, Texas. She started her own club, Books For Africa, which has successfully raised over $10,000 and 3,000 books to support schools in Malawi, Uganda, and Kenya. Izzy will share her unique experience and exposure to educational inequity in the modern world, and how it impacts our future as a generation. She will ask us to ponder and further explore our own privilege and the power we have to help others. 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 professional Taekwondo athlete, Châu Tuyết Vân believes there is a powerful intersection between the strength of martial arts and the grace of femininity. In this compelling talk, she challenges the common perception that toughness and softness must be in conflict. Instead, she reveals the inherent femininity within Taekwondo — from the flow of movement to the expression of inner strength. Through her perspective, Châu Tuyết Vân shows that martial arts and femininity do not cancel each other out, but rather, they coexist beautifully and elevate one another. ? Professional athlete and martial artist with 26 years of experience in Taekwondo, holding a 6th-degree black belt. ? Participant in "Chị đẹp đạp gió" - Season 2. ? Gold medalist at SEA Games 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32. ? Two gold medals at the US Open Taekwondo Championships. ? Ten world championship gold medals ? Awarded the First-class Labor Order in 2025; Third-class Labor Order in 2008 and 2013. ? Outstanding Young Citizen of Ho Chi Minh City in 2013. 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 his TEDx talk, Antoni Frasyniuk takes the audience on a journey through the evolution of football—not just as a sport, but as a global industry. He examines how the game has shifted from community-driven passion to a high-stakes business shaped by marketing, media rights, and global branding. With a sharp focus on the intersection between sport and enterprise, Antoni analyzes how modern football clubs are structured and managed like corporations. In the final part of his talk, he compares the contrasting business models of Red Bull Salzburg, Manchester City, and Real Madrid—showing how each club’s financial strategy reflects a different philosophy of growth, success, and global influence. Antoni is a high school student with a passion for sports, entrepreneurship, and public speaking. A lifelong football enthusiast, he chose to explore the deeper meaning of the game in his TEDx talk, reflecting on how sport can shape identity, teamwork, and resilience. Beyond football, Antoni has trained in boxing, played tennis and basketball, and continues to stay active through competitive sports. He is also deeply curious about the world of business—particularly how companies are built and what drives their success. This blend of discipline from athletics and curiosity about enterprise fuels his drive to grow, lead, and make an 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

Dr.Susan Lin speaks about her inspirational experience donating bone marrow. Dr. Susan Lin, a learning specialist at Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School, empowers others to reach their full potential. With 19 years of experience in education and a doctorate in education from the University of Washington, Susan has supported students from kindergarten through master’s level. Beyond her educational work, Susan is a dedicated Pilates practitioner and aspiring instructor. She honed her leadership and public speaking skills through active participation in her local Toastmasters Club, where she served as vice president of public relations. Passionate about personal development, Susan enjoys escaping into novels, staying active through exercise, exploring new cultures through travel, and pursuing a variety of artistic interests, including language learning, watercolor painting, and music. 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 his TEDx talk, How Inclusion Increases the Bottom Line, Zach Damon explores the intersection of media, storytelling, and disability advocacy—particularly within the context of corporate business. Drawing from his personal journey and professional experience, he highlights how inclusive representation in media can shape public perception, empower communities, and drive measurable success. Zach shares practical insights and an inspiring call to action for creators, broadcasters, and business leaders alike. Zach Damon is an award-winning professional actor, voice actor, and broadcaster. His voice can be heard on stations all across the United States and Canada. He is also the owner of Zach Damon Productions, LLC. The company produces local television, radio, and web-based media content for distribution. Since the early 1990s, Zach has been an advocate for disability issues through public speaking and media work. 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