In a world driven by the "dream job" narrative, Noah Fenstermacher — Director of Admissions at the U.S. Naval Academy — challenges us to rethink what truly constitutes a valuable career. He uses the "Passion Tax" as a shorthand for focusing on meaning rather than money, and explains why it might be worth paying. This talk isn't about shunning financial stability; it's a call to embrace a career that uplifts others, arguing that the most fulfilling jobs might not come with the biggest initial salaries. Noah Fenstermacher is the Director of Admissions for the U.S. Naval Academy, the youngest to hold this position at 26 years old. In this role, he guides applicants and coordinates recruitment programs, contributing to the Academy's top rankings. Over the past five years, Fenstermacher achieved similar success in enrollment and student success roles at Harvard University, Dartmouth College, King's College School in China, and Moonshot Academy in Beijing. As the founder of 1st Gen Class, an educational consultancy, he assists high school students with college admissions. He is also the author of the Keystone State Literacy Award-winning book, College Admissions of Guilt, with 10% of proceeds supporting a new community college in his hometown. A first-generation college graduate, Fenstermacher is committed to supporting students' academic journeys and promoting career satisfaction. 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

Dying is an inevitable part of the human experience, yet we’re often unsure of what to say about death — or even how to witness it. Ivy, a palliative care physician, invites us to normalize and demystify death. She shows how connecting with those at the end of life isn't about grand gestures or even about death, but about teaching us how to live. This talk empowers us to foster healing relationships, accept loss, and ultimately embrace our relationship with death as an integral part of living. Dr. Ivy Akid is a physician at Johns Hopkins, where she focuses on palliative medicine, caring for elderly patients and those with advanced illnesses. Her unique insight into healthcare stems from her firsthand experience as a patient with a benign brain tumor and as a caregiver for her mother. This multifaceted perspective deeply enriches her practice and her role as an instructor for doctors specializing in palliative medicine. A native of New York City, Dr. Ivy's passion extends beyond medicine into the arts; she is a published poet and contributes to a creative film group in Baltimore, embodying a love for life and creativity. 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

Today's students face an epidemic of anxiety and disengagement, which can lead to rampant cheating in the classroom. Beth, a veteran teacher, challenges the conventional wisdom that cheating is a result of laziness or moral failure. She reveals a powerful truth: true self-trust, resilience, and integrity are forged when students fully own their missteps and navigate their own comebacks. Beth shares her tested approach for using failures as an opportunity to empower children and help them develop the self-confidence they need to thrive. Beth Barr has nearly two decades of experience as a middle and high school English teacher, currently teaching AP Language and Composition, Writing and Communication, and Contemporary Literature. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Pre-law Concentration from Albion College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oakland University. Prior to her career in secondary education, Ms. Barr worked as a healthcare recruiter, corporate trainer, and with adult special education students. She also works in a coaching role with teachers, parents, and students. 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

The current senior care culture is broken, leaving many aging Americans neglected, disrespected, and surrounded by burnt-out caregivers. Melissa, driven by a passion sparked during the pandemic, has a solution: family-based care model in a real home, where residents receive intimate support, caregivers are valued, and dignity is valued more highly than counterproductive rules. Despite industry skepticism and resistance from "big box" facilities, Melissa created a space that prioritizes connection and a fulfilling life for seniors. Discover how this radical rethinking of care can transform the last days into a truly beautiful experience for everyone involved. Melissa Hunt is a co-founder of The Home at Baer Creek, established in 2021 with her husband, Tracy, to set a new standard for luxury personal care homes. Her innovative vision for senior living builds upon a diverse professional background that includes degrees in both Mathematics and Vocal Performance. Prior to her work in senior care, Ms. Hunt dedicated herself to teaching and fostering teens in San Antonio and successfully owned a cake and catering business. Through The Home at Baer Creek and their subsequent initiatives, Elder Care Solutions Group, and tramelda training, Ms. Hunt is a driving force in a movement to enhance the quality and excellence of family-based senior care. 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

Every 14 minutes, someone joins the kidney transplant waiting list. Marc Coronel, a kidney transplant recipient and advocate, redefines courage by revealing his unconventional path to finding his own living donor through social media. For over a decade, Marc has empowered countless patients to harness digital storytelling to save lives, proving that asking for help publicly isn't desperation—it's bravery. His talk shows how individual voices can solve a collective problem in healthcare: getting more organs to the people who need them. Marc Coronel is a kidney transplant recipient, patient advocate, and social media strategist focused on transforming how patients find living organ donors. Diagnosed with FSGS, Marc successfully found a living kidney donor by sharing their story on social media, an experience that ignited their passion for advocacy. For over a decade, Marc has guided patients in using digital storytelling to connect with potential donors and advocate for themselves. Their work extends to influencing healthcare policies and engaging with congressional leaders to improve organ donation and transplant accessibility. As a speaker, consultant, and storyteller, Marc shares a unique perspective on courage in medical adversity, aiming to challenge the stigma around asking for help and highlight the life-saving impact of sharing personal stories. 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

Less than one percent of former foster youth earn a graduate degree – a statistic that makes Laura Singer, a successful attorney and product of the New Jersey foster care system, an exception to the rule. Her talk describes how the foster care-to-prison pipeline funnels traumatized youth into incarceration instead of graduation. Laura challenges us to rethink courage not as just surviving adversity, but changing the odds for all the youth in foster care. A product of the New Jersey foster care system, Laura Singer is a passionate advocate for children and systemic reform. She is a proud graduate of Syracuse University and Georgetown Law, and is currently a doctoral candidate at American University, where her dissertation focuses on policies and interventions to eradicate the foster care-to-prison pipeline. By day, Laura is a corporate attorney, but her dedication to children’s rights extends beyond the office. She works tirelessly as a volunteer attorney with DC Children's Law Center and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), ensuring vulnerable youth receive the support and advocacy they deserve. 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