Living with OCD can be difficult, but not impossible. What makes it manageable is when others can step back and consider what a person is experiencing. Learning about mental health and being kind are the most supportive things we can all do. Christiana Koncir is a current senior at Unionville High School. She is a part of a variety of clubs, including Women’s Empowerment, Women in Engineering, and her participation in LINK. As a coxswain on UHS’s crew team and soon UMass Amhert’s program, Christiana aspires to guide others with her voice. In her TEDx talk, she wants to speak on her invisible battle with OCD, and how it's not too late to seek answers. 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

Taking charge of your plans and schedule can bring benefits that meet all of your needs. Sometimes it's a matter of creative thinking and asking for what you need. Advith Rajkumar is a current junior at Unionville High School. A leader both inside and outside of school, Advith is the Vice-President of the FFA chapter at TCHS, where he champions agricultural education and leadership. He also serves as the Secretary of Paws and Pals at Unionville, helping to foster connections between students and their community while promoting animal welfare. A talented competitor, Advith recently earned 1st place in the district SkillsUSA competition and will be advancing to the state level. His musical accomplishments include placing 4th in the PMEA Choir competition, where he is set to compete at regionals. Advith balances academics, leadership, and extracurricular excellence with resilience and determination. In his TEDx talk, Advith will share his perspective on personal growth, overcoming challenges, and the importance of embracing diverse passions. 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

This speaker addresses the need for transgender rights and gender-affirming care in our society. Showing others in simple ways that they are valued as a whole person can make a difference in a person's life. Ben Budicak is currently a senior at UHS. He enjoys listening to and playing music, drawing, being outside, psychology, and stand-up comedy. Ben has spoken on Transgender rights during his freshman year and is excited to bring his thoughts and ideas to the stage. Ben has also taken inspiration from humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers and his work with the Rogerian argument. He plans to attend New York University. 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

What do you want vs. Who do you want to be? This is the essence of creating our own character. Listeners are encouraged to think about what their values are, and whether or not their actions are consistent with them. What is it that's consistent with your character? Mr. DelDotto is a Social Studies teacher at Unionville High School, where he has been working with students for over a decade. His teaching philosophy is rooted in the principles of kindness, community, and creativity. In such an environment, students are empowered to take bold risks, think critically, and embrace their creativity. Mr. DelDotto strives to make his classroom a vibrant and inclusive space where students feel inspired to explore their full potential. His teaching style is characterized by lively energy and an infectious love for learning. He strives to spark curiosity, inspire self-reflection, and cultivate a sense of joy in his students, encouraging them to approach education with enthusiasm and wonder. By fostering a supportive and dynamic atmosphere, Mr. DelDotto promotes not only learning, but also connection and collaboration, as students grow and thrive together as a team. 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

We often fear what we don’t fully understand and nuclear energy is no exception. From alarming headlines to half-truths passed down for decades, misconceptions about radiation and reactors have clouded public perception. This talk separates myth from measurable fact, unpacking what really happens inside a nuclear power plant, what radiation truly means for human health, and why the future of clean, reliable energy might just depend on seeing nuclear power with fresh eyes. A top nuclear scientist of India, Shri K.N. Vyas has played a defining role in shaping the nation’s atomic energy program. As the former Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (2018–2023), and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, he has led with vision and scientific rigor at the highest levels of India’s nuclear establishment.His pioneering contributions have been recognized with the Indian Nuclear Society Outstanding Service Award (2011), the Homi Bhabha Science and Technology Award (2006), and multiple DAE Awards (2007, 2008, 2012, 2013)—a testament to his enduring impact on the field.For Shri K.N. Vyas, nuclear science is not merely about technology, but about humanity’s future. He believes that atomic energy is a clean, sustainable source capable of meeting the world’s growing energy demands and solving the global energy crisis. 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

3,000 handshakes, stories and reminders that connection isn’t rare, we just stopped noticing it. This is what the world looked like when we finally paid attention. It started as a simple idea bring a few strangers together for meaningful conversations. Four months later, 3,000 people had shown up. They came with questions, with stories, with the same quiet ache to belong. What unfolded wasn’t a networking event. it was a revelation. Each stranger held up a mirror, showing how much beauty lives in the unfamiliar. This talk uncovers what we discovered about humanity when we stopped chasing comfort and started chasing connection. Two vibrant souls from Surat, Sanchi and Nishtha, believe that strangers are simply friends you haven’t met yet. What began as two friends sharing an idea has blossomed into Stranger’s House - a lively community where people walk in as strangers and often walk out as companions for life.Through themed parties, dinners, and unique gatherings, they have created a space in the heart of Surat that celebrates inclusion, joy, and the art of conversation. Their energy and vision have turned ordinary evenings into extraordinary connections, reminding us that even in fast-paced cities, there’s magic in pausing to meet someone new. 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