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).

Newark Academy
91 South Orange Ave
Livingston, New Jersey, 07039
United States

Ayanna Varma

Speaker

Ayanna Varma is a senior at Newark Academy who encompasses a passion for learning and innovation, particularly in STEM fields. As a nationally ranked tennis player and co-founder of Rally for Tennis Eastern, Ayanna combines her passion for tennis and entrepreneurship to support a nationwide effort that has raised over $300,000 for underprivileged youth. Her curiosity about technology and global issues inspired her research on Central Bank Digital Currency and wealth distribution. Ayanna is excited to continue exploring the role of technology in creating meaningful change through her talk on AI augmentation of human judgment.

Connor Polen

Speaker

Connor is a junior from Morristown, New Jersey attending Newark Academy. He has been ranked top 20 nationally in the 800m and 1000m for the class of 2026 in track and broke 7 school records. Connor is equally active in engineering and robotics, where he ranked in the top 30 globally at Vex World Championships. He shares this passion with others as the COO of the non-profit “Techshare” that spreads technology and training to youth around the world.

Divya Rai

Speaker

She is an active member in SASU and knitting club. She loves playing the piano and has been playing it for over 9 years. Her favorite subjects include science, math, and Spanish. She loves traveling and her favorite trips were traveling to Italy, Santorini, and Singapore. She’s a huge dog lover since she has a 170 pound St. Bernard who is four years old.

Jason Tebbe

Speaker

Dr Jason Tebbe has taught in independent schools for fourteen years after spending time in academia. He earned his PhD from the University of Illinois in history and has published academic journal articles and book chapters on topics ranging from 19th century German history to the works of Bob Dylan.

Katie Liang

Speaker

Katherine Liang is a sophomore at Newark Academy. She is part of the Equity and Inclusion Team and is a leader of the Knitting Club. Knitting is one of her favorite hobbies. Katherine also enjoys reading, playing the violin and viola, and swimming. She values every day and every opportunity to learn and try something new.

Ryan Zhu

Speaker

Ryan Zhu is a junior at Newark Academy with a deep passion for STEM and a growing interest in the medical field. As a hospital volunteer and an intern at a doctor’s office, he actively explores the intersection of science and healthcare. Beyond academics, Ryan is a two-sport varsity athlete in soccer and baseball, where his love for the game extends far beyond the field. His fascination with baseball goes beyond just playing—it fuels his interest in sports medicine, psychology, and economics. In his TEDx talk, Ryan will explore how data-driven recruiting in baseball challenges traditional thinking, connecting it to a broader theme: getting comfortable with the uncomfortable