In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
950 W 41st Ave.
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 2N7
Canada

Alex Zhang

Alex Zhang is an enthusiastic 9th-grade student at Sentinel Secondary School with a passion for badminton and guitar, and he will be serving as one of the speakers at the TEDxYouth@ArbutusRidge event this year! At this year’s event, Alex aims to spread a powerful message and share his unique ideas with the world, and he is deeply committed to using this platform to inspire others and to contribute positively to his community. Looking ahead, Alex aspires to become a more expressive individual, both in his personal life and in his public engagements. He hopes that through experiences like TEDx, he will continue to grow and refine his ability to communicate effectively and passionately.

Amy Shi

Amy Chen is a dynamic 11th Grade student at Point Grey Secondary with a passion for golf and horseback riding. Her dedication to these sports reflects her commitment to excellence and her love for the outdoors. At this year's TEDxYouth@ArbutusRidge event, Amy aims to practice and improve her public speaking skills, stepping out of her comfort zone to share her insights and experiences with us.

Angela Xu

Angela Xu is a dynamic 10th Grade student at St. Johns Academy with a passion for piano and games. Her musical talent and strategic thinking shine through in her hobbies, reflecting her diverse range of interests and skills. At this year's TEDxYouth@ArbutusRidge event, Angela is excited to improve her English and learn from the experiences and ideas of others. She views this opportunity as a platform to enhance her communication skills and broaden her perspectives.

Emma Wang

Emma Wang is currently a Grade 9 student at York House School. Emma moved to Vancouver from China in August 2023 and has since experienced both the harshness and the warmth of human interactions.

Henry Wang

Henry is a well-rounded 11th grade student at Point Grey Secondary with a passion for basketball, theatre acting, and fine arts. Having had his own Solo Art Exhibition just last year and winning multiple Art-related awards, Henry wishes to share his unique perspectives on a larger stage. His goal is to spread an important message and his idiosyncratic ideas to the audience. With the future on hold, Henry is looking forward to creating more miraculous artworks, and connecting with others through the process of creativity. Moreover, Henry intends to contribute to the up-and-coming group of young artists, using this platform for people to acknowledge the next generational art scene in Vancouver.

Justin Peng

Justin Peng is a current student at David Thompson Secondary School. Justin’s passion lies primarily in sciences, which is demonstrated through his impressive accomplishments as an innovative scientist! For the past four years, Justin has been working on patent-pending devices that use technology to assist the visually impaired, garnered over $50,000 in awards from universities, research institutions, and NGOs worldwide. At 16, his research has been exhibited in Ottawa, Fredericton, Edmonton, New York, and Victoria at various parliament buildings, conferences, and universities, and has been featured on the front cover of a magazine.

Maggie Zhang

Maggie Zhang is a multi-talented 9th Grade student at Stratford Hall whose interests span ballet, piano, painting, and music. Her artistic pursuits have not only shaped her creative expression but also taught her the importance of dedication and perseverance. Although she often regards herself as an introvert, Maggie is stepping out of her comfort zone today to share her opinions and insights with a larger audience. Her goal at TEDxYouth@ArbutusRidge is to connect with more people and inspire others through her experiences and perspectives.

Ruishan Hu

Ray Hu, an insightful speaker who has a unique perspective on problem-solving and overcoming challenges. Ray is currently a 10th Grade student at St. Johns Academy, and she is honoured to be serving as a speaker at the TEDxYouth@ArbutusRidge event this year. With a deep-rooted passion for biology, Ray brings a wealth of experiences, all of which contribute to her ability to overcome obstacles in her life. Ray hopes to hone her interpersonal skills and public speaking ability at this year’s event, and she is beyond excited to share her journey with you all. Outside of biology and continuous learning, Ray enjoys swimming, skiing in the winter, and resting at home. Ray has experienced firsthand the frustrations and difficulties of getting stuck on tough problems, both in her personal life and academic pursuits. Today, she will share her journey of navigating these obstacles and the valuable lessons she has learned.

Sky Liu

Sky Liu is a 10th Grade at Pacific Academy with a remarkable range of interests and talents. Sky is passionate about playing the piano and violin, and is also an avid tennis player. These diverse pursuits highlight her dedication to both the arts and athletics, demonstrating a well-rounded and disciplined character. Sky plans to pursue a career in law, driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to make a meaningful impact in society. Her ambition and commitment to her goals are truly inspiring. Pease join me in welcoming Sky Liu to the stage as she shares her journey and the vision she has for her future.

Sophia Shi

Sophia Shi is a Chinese-Canadian social activist and model passionate about sustainable fashion and climate justice. At 11, she became the youngest Vancouver Fashion Week model and, since then, appeared in British Vogue, Mexico Vogue and Vogue China. Sophia is currently the founder and CEO of GVE Management, where she initiated Vancouver Sustainable Fashion Week and Future Leaders for Earth to advocate for sustainable fashion and climate justice in the community. She is beyond excited and honoured to have been allowed to speak at TEDxYouth@ArbutusRidge.

Yingteng Li

Student

Yingteng is a passionate 8th Grade student at Lord Byng Secondary School with a love for drama and swimming. Whether performing on stage or gliding through the water, Yingteng's enthusiasm and dedication shine through in everything they do. At this year's TEDxYouth@ArbutusRidge event, Yingteng is excited about the opportunity to share his ideas with a wider audience. Looking ahead, Yingteng's ultimate goal is to lead a happy and fulfilling life, embracing every opportunity to grow and make a positive impact on the world around them.

Zoya Reebye

Zoya Reebye is a Grade 10 student at York House School passionate about social justice. With a love for advocacy work to combat inequalities, she knows she can use her voice to empower others. She has focused much of her time on her social media platform, Let's Talk WOC, to spark conversations about intersectionality, gender, and racial equality, collaborating on videos that have reached over 200k views. In her free time, she enjoys listening to artists like Kendrick Lamar and Erykah Badu, taking care of her houseplants, and watching sci-fi and true crime films.