Rhea Michael performs Moonlight Sonata First Movement: Adagio Sostenuto. This sonata captures a dreamlike yet somber mood through its mournful and lyrical melody. It calls for a moment of reflection. This piece was radical in its time as most opening movements were energetic or lively, but Beethoven took a different approach. Rhea has played the piano for 9 years and has earned awards from the Music Teacher’s Association of California’s Certificate of Merit program. She enjoys playing the piano as a way to relax and communicate with other people. Rhea Michael is currently a junior at Folsom High School. She has always been interested in piano and has been playing since she was a child. During this performance, she encourages the audience to embrace themselves in the melodic tunes. Take this moment to feel and reflect upon your life. Outside of piano, she is interested in pursuing astrobiology as well as engineering. 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

Growing up in an incomplete family, Alice Chen struggled with finding her own sense of self identity, value, jealousy, and negativity. The change occurred when she attended an event called Day of Understanding, as she understands the importance of acceptance, both internally and externally. Junyi (Alice) Chen is a current junior at Folsom High. She is an active member and officer of the Model UN Club in FHS, an English teacher and board member of non-profit organization Eon English, a swimmer, and a pipa player. Outside of school, Alice also enjoys reading, painting, taking pictures, and doing crafts. Through TedxFolsom High Youth 2025, Alice hopes to bring to light the power of acceptance, through accepting ourselves and accepting 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

“I’ll do it tomorrow” is a common mantra for many, but too often we use it as a way to delay action. This speech explores how we postpone our choices and actions as a way to avoid responsibility, but how that inevitably leads to stagnation and regret. Tomorrow doesn’t truly arrive — it only becomes today. This speech aims to call people to reframe the idea of tomorrow and take ownership of today instead. Cherry Chen is a junior at Pinewood School with diverse interests ranging from horse riding to musical theater. You can often find her spending her weekends, tea tasting and making traditional Asian desserts, and creating art. An animal lover at heart, she has 13 pets of many different species. Through her TEDx talk, she hopes to inspire others to choose to pursue their interests. 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 live in a world where every grade, every post, every accomplishment feels like it has to be performed. In her talk, Isabella Liang shares a reminder we often forget: life isn’t defined by numbers or appearances, but by the small, unfiltered moments that make us feel alive. She challenges us to slow down, notice them, and hold onto the seconds that truly stay with us. Isabella Liang is a sophomore at Saint Francis High School, where she is active in SYVEP and plays volleyball competitively. Beyond school, she is passionate about piano, horseback riding, and creating meaningful social impact. Isabella believes that the pressure to measure ourselves by grades, achievements, or comparisons is one of the biggest challenges facing young people today. Through her talk, she shares why noticing the small, unfiltered moments in life matters, and how they can reshape the way we define success and fulfillment. 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 a world saturated with picture-perfect snapshots of happiness on social media, it’s easy to feel like everyone else has life figured out while we’re left chasing something just out of reach. In this talk, Kai unpacks the paradox of pursuing happiness: the more we chase it, the further it slips away. He challenges us to rethink what happiness truly means. Through personal reflections and a reimagined “hero’s journey,” this talk explores why happiness isn’t a destination or a trophy to be won, but something discovered along the path of living with purpose and contentment. Kai Hsu is a rising senior at Leigh High School and an avid reader. He enjoys reading all types of novels, from science fiction to mysteries. During his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, coding video games, and watering his pet plant. Through his TEDx talk, he hopes to share his thoughts about the pursuit of happiness. 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 if the harder path in life is the one that makes it truly worth living? Drawing lessons from the classic game Oregon Trail, history, and Evan's own journey overcoming silence and self-doubt, his talk reveals a simple but powerful message. When faced with uncertainty, choose the harder path. Once on it, walk boldly. From finding a voice after a childhood speech impediment to unexpected leadership and personal growth, this talk challenges us to rethink comfort, risk, and what it means to live fully. Evan Shi is a senior at 7EDU Global Academy who lives in Houston, TX. As captain of a top-ranked varsity hockey team in the state of Texas, he has worked to shape its culture and spirit, and as a filmmaker, he directs films that explore history, culture, and community, from dying traditional martial arts to the story and growth of hockey in Houston. In his free time, Evan enjoys penpalling, coaching youth Ice hockey, building businesses, and meeting new people. Through his TEDx talk, Evan hopes to share his reflections on choosing the harder path and walking it boldly. 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