Past TEDx event

TEDxTaft Charter HS

Took placeJanuary 23, 202610:45 AM - 1:00 PM (GMT-8)
LocationWoodland Hills, California, United States
FormatYouth
TEDxYouth at Taft Charter HS is a student-led event dedicated to sharing ideas worth spreading. Centered around the theme “Resiliency: Bending, Not Breaking,” this inaugural TEDx Youth event will showcase powerful stories of perseverance, growth, and strength from students who have worked courageously to bring their ideas to life. Through a series of student talks and guest speaker presentations, this event will explore what it truly means to face challenges, adapt through adversity, and emerge stronger without losing one’s sense of self. Our speakers will share personal experiences that highlight resilience not as the absence of struggle, but as the ability to rise, learn, and move forward. Planned and organized by students of the Taft, TEDxTaftCharterHS celebrates youth voice, leadership, and innovation. This event is a testament to the power of student creativity and the belief that young people have meaningful ideas capable of inspiring change within their communities and beyond.

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Antonio De La Cruz

    Student

    Antonio is a 9th grade student who will be sharing his take on resilience through his experience out of the country and the intricate Rubik's cube.

  • Debra Sarrafian

    Student

    Debra is a senior at Taft Charter who will be sharing a personal story about identity, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become.

  • James Williams

    Student

    James is a 10th grader who has experienced a lot and still has much to learn. He has a story of contrasts to tell you, about the loud in the quiet, the comfort from fear, and the struggle for relief.

  • Jenny Nava

    Student

    Jenny Nava is an 11th grade student and the girls team captain of the XC & Track & Field team. Her story depicts a unique perspective on the intense hardships faced by a season-ending sports injury, where her resilience helped her grow both as an athlete and as a person.

  • Jesse Billauer

    Founder of Life Rolls On | Adaptive Sports Advocate & Motivational Speaker

    Jesse Billauer is the founder of Life Rolls On, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with disabilities through adaptive sports and community support. At the age of 17, Jesse’s life changed forever after a surfing accident left him paralyzed. Rather than allowing his injury to define him, he transformed his experience into a powerful mission to create opportunity, inclusion, and empowerment for others. Through Life Rolls On, Jesse has helped thousands of individuals experience freedom, confidence, and joy through adaptive surfing and outdoor recreation. A lifelong athlete and passionate advocate, Jesse shares his story to inspire audiences to reframe adversity, embrace resilience, and recognize that life’s greatest limitations are often the ones we place on ourselves.

  • Russell Lehmann

    International Disability Rights Advocate

    Russell Lehmann is a charismatic activist, motivational speaker, and acclaimed author and poet for autism, mental health, and disabilities. He is the International Disability Rights Advocate at UCLA and captivates audiences with his powerful message of acceptance and resilience. Lehmann's work has had a positive and life-changing impact on many, and his advocacy and activism have helped to increase understanding and support for individuals in the disability community

Organizing team