Have you ever had that feeling of self-doubt? That feeling that we can’t move because the past mistake is holding us back? That was me about a month ago during my synchronized swimming competition. Hello everyone! My name is Hannah, and I am a 6th grader who attends Ecole Pauline Johnson. I can speak 3 and a half languages, English, Mandarin, Farsi, and a little bit of French. I absolutely love Artistic Swimming, because I love to dance, and I love to swim, so Voila! Artistic Swimming! In my freetime, I love to read, write, make crafts, and listen to music. I enjoy hanging out with my friends, and family, and socializing with people. I am very excited to having an opportunity to give a TEDx speech. I have always enjoyed speaking in front of a large crowd. I enjoy Freestyle Skiing up on Cypress Mountain. I love the feeling of the cold air whipping my face, as I speed through trees, and navigate moguls. One of my many favourite places to be is in my garden at home, there are so many different plants, and flowers there, including, pear, apple, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and so on! At school one of my favourite subject is Music, because I love playing the ukulele. 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 today's fast-paced, highly connected world, it's easy to become disconnected from our immediate surroundings. Megan Barta highlights unexpected examples of presence in action, emphasizing the value of being fully present in the moment--right where we are. Megan Barta graduated from Hope College in 2025 with a BA in psychology. She is passionate about team dynamics, intentional relationships, and the "Do Not Disturb" function on her smartphone. 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