Theme: Turning Point

Turning Point—a moment of realization, transformation, or challenge that reshapes our perspective and propels us forward. At this, our fifth TEDx@TashkentIntlSchool Youth event, we celebrate not only this milestone but also the voices of young speakers in grades 9-12 who dare to question, adapt, and grow. Through their stories of pivotal change—whether personal discoveries or life-altering moments—we explore the power of transformation and the resilience of the human spirit. Join us as we mark this special occasion and reflect on the turning points that shape who we are and who we aspire to become.

Tashkent International School
38 Sarakulskaya Street
Tashkent, Toshkent, 100005
Uzbekistan

Abheek Shukla

Student

Abheek is a grade 11 student with a passion for engineering and astronomy and all things STEM. His curiosity in these realms have led him to success in many competitions, such as FIRST Robotics. He transfers and furthers these passions by leading clubs and building communities. In a world where society often leads to its gradual decline, Abheek truly values curiosity as an intellectual tool of the highest order. Through his first TEDxYouth talk, he wishes to reach a diverse audience and highlight the importance of curiosity in our lives. He believes that a spark is always there; it just needs kindling.

Alejandra Garcia

Student

Alejandra is a grade 10 student from Spain who has spent 16 years of her life living in six countries: Spain, Jordan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Azerbaijan, and now Uzbekistan. These experiences have inspired and made her to change her perspectives on things, which in turn has led her to ask questions about customs and habits. In her first TEDxYouth talk, Alejandra explores situations in our modern, and not-so-modern world, where the line between right and wrong has been blurred. In today's turbulent world, our perspectives are solidified by our own real-life experiences, and we all live different lives. Events can change how people view things. There is always something or someone that determines the ethical compass. But is this really true, or is the world simply wicked without a cause?

Esther Hall

Student

Esther is a grade 9 student who spends her free time reading, playing volleyball, crocheting, and baking. She was born to an American father and Polish mother, and has lived in both the United States and Poland, but also in France and now in Uzbekistan. Living in such environments provided Esther with wide cultural and societal experiences, which have shaped her perspectives and interests. In her first TEDxYouth talk, Esther is interested in expressing her ideas through public speaking and using her voice to question and raise awareness of beauty standards and the effect they can have on young girls, therefore calling for change.

Hadeecha Azul Tadjieva

Student

A grade 11 student, Hadeecha was born in the United States, into an Uzbek-Mexican household. She moved to Uzbekistan five years ago and has continued to connect with her own culture and explore others in her international school. These experiences have helped change her perspective on her passions and ideas. Along with MUN, public speaking and debate, Hadeecha enjoys art as a hobby, and being surrounded by other talented artists has drawn her to the idea of challenging societal norms about art and artists. In her first TEDxYouth talk, and drawing from personal experiences and cultural perspectives, Hadeecha argues for a shift in how we value creativity and artistic expression.

Jayson Tchazou

Student

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Jayson is a grade 11 student who lived most of his life in the United States, and for a short time in Jamaica. In 2023, his family became diplomats and moved to Uzbekistan. Since this move, Jayson has been immersed in the different cultures he interacts with and experiences. In his free time, Jayson is an avid basketball player who plays for the school boys’varsity team and is a solo music artist on all platforms. He plays ukulele, trumpet, and guitar and composes songs of different genres. In his first TEDxYouth talk, Jayson talks about the time he realized his passion for music and expressing his identity through this art form. He encourages others to find their passion, not to give it up but work on it.

Valeria Silva Pinedo

Student

Born and raised in Mexico, Valeria is nearing the end of her senior year and looks forward to the next stage. She believes that life can’t be enjoyed if we are set back by our worst fears. In her second TEDxYouth talk, she explores the idea of social constraints, making connections between facial appearance and our biggest setbacks, often connected to self-doubt. Through her own personal journey of overcoming her transformation after a chin-surgery, Valeria reveals how she frequently feared the judgment and opinions of others when in reality she was her harshest critic. Her talk challenges the idea that life can be controlled by fear of being judged because in reality others are too focused on themselves.

Yunhan Grace Wang

Student

Grace is a grade 11 IB DP student from Hong Kong, who spends her leisure time reading various books and stories. Grace loves to draw and play music for others to listen to on the piano and other instruments. She finds great passion in arts, performance, and literature, oftentimes analyzing and connecting those to similar events in her own life. In her first TEDxYouth talk, Grace discusses how one of the most popular young girl’s media, traditional Disney princess movies, are not something that should be shown to young girls. She wishes to explain how her experience as an elder sister made her realize that these seemingly innocent stories and characters cause issues for the development of a young girl’s identity. She provides ideas as to how we can change this and move forward.

Zhanel Karabatyr

Student

Zhanel is a grade nine student originally from Kazakhstan. Recently, she has been very curious about what’s going on inside our heads - literally. So in her first TEDxYouth talk, she explores neuroplasticity, or rather how small, invisible moments, instead of one big event, create real change in our minds. Zhanel hopes to help people understand their minds, and the invisible changes that shape us everyday. By connecting this idea to the event’s theme, Turning Point, she indicates that change is not always something we consciously decide to do, and it can happen without us realizing it. When not diving into neuroscience, Zhanel enjoys playing video games, hanging out with friends and family, participating in MUN and debate, playing tennis, and reading books.