TEDxBillings Youth

Speakers

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

• Areesha Shah

  Student Leader

  Areesha is a junior in High School with a passion for exploring the world through curiosity and creativity. Growing up balancing her parents’ traditions with life in the U.S., she has learned to embrace the intersections of different experiences, cultures, and perspectives. Through youth conferences and other opportunities, Areesha works to help students like herself explore their identities, embrace their strengths, and grow into the people they want to be. She hopes to inspire others to notice the intersections in their own lives and use them to create meaning, connection, and personal growth.

• Ayeen Nautiyal

  Founder of Youth Empowerment in Military Careers (YEMC)

  Ayeen N is a 15-year-old leader, writer, and advocate from California, who is deeply interested in exploring how media shapes the way people understand the world. She is passionate about making a difference in her community and has taken action by leading clubs, organizations, and volunteering. In early middle school, she began leading several youth projects. After becoming a military cadet, Ayeen founded a youth-led initiative, Youth Empowerment in Military Careers (YEMC), dedicated to defying combat stereotypes of the military while empowering youth to take leadership roles. While leading this initiative, she noticed a stigma surrounding military careers. Many of her peers felt intimidated when considering the military as a career path, with their opinions often shaped by media and films.

• Brooklyn Eaglefeathers

  Student Leader + Billings Student Tribal Council Member

  Brooklyn E is a senior in High School. She is proudly Apsáalooke (Crow), Northern Cheyenne, and Chippewa, and is deeply passionate about uplifting and supporting Native youth in her community. Brooklyn credits her parents as her greatest role models and the foundation of her strength and identity. Brooklyn is an active member of the Billings Student Tribal Council, an organization dedicated to highlighting and empowering Indigenous student leaders throughout the Billings community. Through Tribal Council, she has built strong friendships and found a community that encourages leadership, growth, and cultural pride. In her free time, Brooklyn enjoys expressing her creativity through music, crafting, and shopping. She especially loves making ribbon skirts and beadwork, often creating pieces for her regalia and spending time crafting with friends and family. Staying connected to her culture is incredibly important to her, and she takes pride in honoring and sharing those traditions.

• Ellie O'Brien

  Student Leader

  Ellie was born in Billings, MT and is currently enrolled as a Freshman in High School where she participates in a variety of extracurricular activities. She was cast as Guildenstern in the production of Hamlet, plays French Horn in Chamber Band as well as Mellophone in Pep Band, and has just wrapped up her first season of Speech and Debate where she competed around the great state of Montana in Informative Speech and Humorous Interpretation categories. Outside of school, she is a voracious reader, passionate musician, and consumer of all things Montana History. Ellie is a newly participating member of Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra and in her spare time can be found playing Bass Guitar, creating sculptures and artwork from recycled materials, and volunteering for various Community Events.

• Frankie Struck

  Student Leader

  Frankie is a high-achiever with a diverse range of roles and accomplishments. She is a devoted member to the organization Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, having served as the President on the school, District, and State level. In Key Club, she has prioritized serving others and creating a sense of community throughout her years as club Secretary and President. Frankie is never not striving for success or the next opportunity to learn and grow, undoubtedly an inspiration to those around her.

• Hanna Beeler

  Musician

  Hanna is a senior in High School. She plays in the school’s Philharmonic Orchestra and is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Outside of music, Hanna competes on Silver Run Ski Team. Next year, she plans to study music and the violin in college.

• Jomanh Sharif

  Student Leader

  Jomanh S is a first-generation American born to Libyan parents who is passionate about advocacy, leadership, and creating meaningful impact in her community. She serves as President of her school’s FCCLA chapter, is a multi-state and national leadership title holder, and holds several leadership roles within her school where she actively mentors others and leads by example. Through her involvement in Speech and Debate and other leadership opportunities, Jomanh uses her voice to amplify underrepresented perspectives and encourage meaningful dialogue. She is especially passionate about empowering young women, particularly those from minority backgrounds, to take up space, lead with confidence, and embrace their full potential. Jomanh is committed to using leadership as a tool for change and inspiring others to step boldly into their own voice.

• Luis Hernandez

  Student Leader

  Luis is a student leader who is passionate about education, leadership, and public service. He aspires to become an educator and to pursue a career in law, using his skills in public speaking and critical thinking to help others achieve their goals. Luis has distinguished himself through his commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. He was recognized in the American Legion Oratorical Contest for his ability to deliver clear, powerful speeches and thoughtfully communicate complex ideas. Luis has also participated in highly selective international programs. He attended the Global Leaders Academy at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where he collaborated with students from around the world while studying public policy and contributing to projects focused on education, health, and social progress. Working alongside peers from diverse backgrounds strengthened his commitment to developing practical solutions that promote learning, dialogue, and empowerment.

• Makenzy Tracy

  Student Leader

  Makenzy is a junior in High School who has developed a strong passion for public speaking and leadership. While many people view public speaking as something to fear, Makenzy sees it as an opportunity to connect with others and share ideas that can make a difference. Since her freshman year, she has been actively involved in her school’s speech and debate team, participating in competitions and community performances that have helped strengthen her confidence and communication skills. Makenzy also enjoys taking on leadership roles, serving as a chapter officer for FFA and Key Club and as a junior captain for the speech and debate team. While she is still exploring what career path she wants to pursue after graduation, Makenzy knows she wants it to involve public speaking and making a positive impact in the world. She is excited about the opportunities ahead and the chance to use her voice to inspire others.

• Milli Bear

  Musician

  Milli Bear is a sixteen year old singer/songwriter from Cody, Wyoming. She has been performing and composing music from a young age, self-accompanying on the piano and ukulele. She was a finalist and award-winner at the 2025 Wyoming Singer/Songwriter Festival, and she performs frequently around the northern Wyoming and Billings, Montana area. Her songwriting style is unique and alternative, rejecting genre constraints and drawing inspiration from all things heartfelt and strange. Milli intends to dedicate her life to making music, hoping that she can use it to express ideas and make connections that words alone cannot.

• Nico Brown

  Student Leader + Advocate

  Niko is a 15 year old Freshman in High School. He is an officer within the FCCLA, being in charge of publicity and social media. He has been in choir since 5th grade, and currently is a 1st Soprano in Skyview’s Chantrelle’s choir class. This young man has a passion for everything musical and/or theater. Niko is headed for a culinary degree in college, while still hoping to advance within the performing arts. He is usually found in the library or FCS department at school, surrounded by his group of friends. Peers and teachers would describe him as “Determined, outgoing, autistically awesomesauce, and with high expectations for himself. Though he has and continues to struggle with mental health, he remains devoted to his relationships and plans for the future. His pastimes include baking, soccer, reading, music, fashion, video games, and tending to his cats. Niko is also a strong supporter of 406 Pride and LGBTQ causes, actively assisting in event planning for Rainbow Coffee House.

• Whitney Robinson

  Leader + Advocate + Speaker

  Whitney is an Indigenous youth leader, advocate, and speaker from Montana and an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe. She is passionate about empowering young people to use their voices to create meaningful change. Through her leadership and advocacy work, Whitney focuses on promoting inclusion, representation, and opportunities for youth in her community. Whitney currently serves as President of the Billings Student Tribal Council and as a student council senator, where she works to amplify student voices and advocate for policies that support diverse perspectives. In addition to her advocacy work, Whitney is deeply involved in her school and community through leadership, service, and cultural engagement. She believes that when young people are encouraged to share their perspectives and step into leadership roles, they can create lasting change that benefits entire communities.