Theme: Growth

This year, TEDxYouth@ASK is centered around the theme of “Growth”, the personal, emotional, and collective journeys that shape who we are. From finding confidence in the middle of change to overcoming stress, embracing discomfort, and building inclusive communities, our speakers share honest stories of transformation and resilience. The speeches reflect the many ways growth can show up sometimes quiet and unseen, sometimes bold and unexpected. With a lineup of young scholars and educators, and a student organized event, this TEDxYouth celebrates the power of storytelling, leadership, and reflection.

American School of Kuwait Auditorium
American School of Kuwait
Hawally Block 7, Street 320
Kuwait City, Ḩawallī, 32042
Kuwait

Ayah Basha

High School Freshman

Ayah Basha is a freshman at the American School of Kuwait. She is deeply passionate about science, literature, and music, and she enjoys exploring the connections between creativity and critical thinking. Known for her drive and ambition, Ayah sets high goals for herself and works hard to achieve them. Along the way, she often navigates the stress and pressure that come with juggling responsibilities and expectations—experiences that have shaped both her perspective and her personal growth. Her TEDx talk centers on overcoming stress and setbacks, a topic close to her heart. Drawing from her own challenges, Ayah hopes to offer encouragement and insight to others who may be facing similar struggles. With a thoughtful and honest approach, she aims to remind her audience that growth often happens in life’s toughest moments—and that no one is ever alone in the process.

Elizabeth Maarman

3rd Grade Teacher

Elizabeth Maarman is a proud teacher at The American School of Kuwait. Born and raised on a farm in South Africa during Apartheid, she is the daughter of farm laborers. Life brought many challenges, but even as a young girl, she dared to dream. She remembers standing in wide open fields, watching planes fly overhead, and wondering what it would be like to see the world beyond her small corner of it. That dream became reality through education. Becoming a teacher opened the door to the world—both literally and figuratively. Teaching abroad has allowed her to explore new cultures, connect with incredible students, and advocate for equity in education. Elizabeth is known for being honest, diplomatic, and patient. She loves to laugh—and likes to think her wit keeps things interesting in and out of the classroom. She also enjoys public speaking, especially when sharing stories, sparking change, or inspiring others. Education transformed her life—and that belief guides all she does.

Heba Mubeen

High School Junior

Heba Mubeen is a junior at the American School of Kuwait. Through her own personal growth journey, she has come to appreciate the power of perception and how it shapes the way we experience life. Heba believes that by shifting the way we see ourselves and the world around us, we can open the door to greater happiness, self-awareness, and emotional growth. In her TEDx talk, she shares how this realization has impacted her life and offers insight into how others can do the same. Her message is rooted in the idea that change begins within—and that when we change our mindset, we can begin to change our lives. Heba hopes to encourage others to embrace a more positive, intentional way of thinking in order to grow into the best version of themselves.

Melanie Abou Saleh

High School Senior

Melanie Abou Saleh is a senior high honour roll student at the American School of Kuwait. She’s a passionate actor who also loves to dance and perform in musical theatre. Outside the stage, Melanie is a dedicated athlete, especially in volleyball, football, and badminton. In addition to her academic and artistic pursuits, she serves as a president and student leader in several clubs and honour societies, including The Certified Youth Club, Model United Nations, and others. Melanie is also committed to making a difference in her community. Whether through organizing events, leading initiatives, or volunteering her time, she finds purpose in helping others. Her diverse interests and strong leadership skills reflect her belief in staying active, involved, and open to growth in every area of life.

Melshir Fredericks

Middle School Math Teacher

Melshir Fredericks is passionate about teaching Mathematics, this being her 33rd year in education. Melshir has dedicated her career to the teaching of teenagers. Her experience include her role as a Mathematics Subject Advisor affording Melshir the opportunity to humbly support and serve teachers in curriculum delivery. Melshir believes that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made and she is committed to empowering students to being the best version of themselves. Melshir chooses to live by her favorite quote, “It is a day to be tasted and not wasted.” Melshir is here to share insights on Synchronicity, and how it can inspire change in growth.

Mia Choueiry

High School Junior

Mia Choueiry is a junior at the American School of Kuwait. She is known for being kind, passionate, and hardworking both in and out of the classroom. Mia actively seeks out opportunities to contribute to her school and community—whether by creating spaces for innovation, providing support to others, or volunteering with various organizations that align with her values. Her identity is deeply rooted in her culture and family. As a middle child and a Lebanese girl with a close-knit family, Mia’s background has shaped her worldview and how she approaches challenges, relationships, and daily life. She brings empathy, leadership, and thoughtfulness to everything she does. Mia continues to grow through every experience, learning from the people and situations around her. She hopes to leave a positive mark wherever she goes and inspire others to do the same.

Michael Beckley

Middle and High School Tech & Math Teacher

HS

Rania Al-Nakib

Elementary School Principal

Dr. Rania Al-Nakib is the Elementary School Principal and an ASK alumnus. She previously worked at ASK from 2005-2008 as a grade 1 homeroom teacher and team leader and then rejoined in 2023. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant Professor at the Gulf University for Science and Technology. As well as teaching in their education program, she designed and taught courses in human rights and education for democratic citizenship. Rania holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Kuwait University, with a major in English Literature and Linguistics. She has a Master of Science degree (MS) from Georgetown University in Theoretical Linguistics and a Master of Education (MEd) degree from Marymount University, VA. She also holds a PhD in Education from the Institute of Education, University of London. Rania also does work with NGOs and civil society groups and is passionate about the role of education in creating transformative citizens.

Tala Al-Faleh

High School Student

Tala Al-Faleh is a proud Jordanian-Palestinian and a student at the American School of Kuwait. Known for her compassion and drive to help others, Tala has a deep passion for medicine and an endless curiosity about the human experience. She dreams of walking into emergency rooms—not away from them—and sees her future in a field where care, courage, and quick thinking can make all the difference. In her TEDx talk, Tala explores the idea that fear doesn’t have to be a stop sign. Instead, it can be a doorway—one that leads to personal growth, strength, and unexpected courage. Drawing from her own experiences, she reflects on how facing fear head-on can unlock parts of ourselves we didn’t know were there. Her message encourages others to see fear not as something to avoid, but as an opportunity to rise, learn, and become stronger.

Yara Abdulhadi

High School Freshman

Yara Abdulhadi is a freshman at the American School of Kuwait with a passion for discovering new things and pushing herself outside of her comfort zone. This past summer, she challenged herself to learn the piano completely on her own—without any prior experience. What started as a simple goal quickly became a journey of personal growth, resilience, and perspective. In her TEDx talk, Yara reflects on how this experience shifted the way she views learning and self-improvement. She explores the idea that growth isn’t just about talent or success—it’s about mindset. By changing how we approach challenges, we can transform not only the outcome but the entire process. Yara hopes her story will inspire others to embrace new experiences, even when the path is unfamiliar, and to believe in the power of persistence and open-mindedness.