Students, parents and faculty gathered at the Ossining High School auditorium on May 22nd for TEDxOssining High School Youth – the school’s first-ever TEDx event.
The theme: “Collective Ideas for Change: How we can use our diverse voices, perspectives, and cultures to share ideas that improve our community.”
TEDx is a grassroots initiative that’s licensed by TED – the group that has featured some of the most famous and influential people from the world of politics, business, science, academia and entertainment.
The list of TED speakers includes former President Bill Clinton, Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking and Bill Gates – plus too many other big names to mention.
TED’s mission: “To discover and spread ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding, and drive meaningful change.”
The speakers in Ossining included 15 OHS students, SUNY Binghamton freshman Gavin Thomas Walters, teacher Oumar Sarr, and Andrew Curiel, the founder of Be You Stay True – a Bronx-based non-profit that empowers students.
Sarr is also a My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) advisor, and he co-organized the event along with fellow MBK advisors Harold Corporan, and School Counselor Kevin Brooks.
MBK is an initiative launched by President Obama in 2014, in response to the tragic death of Trayvon Martin. The organization was formed to “address the persistent opportunity gaps boys and young men of color face and to ensure all young people can reach their full potential.”
“It’s important to give students a platform to have their voices heard,” said Sarr.
“One of my favorite things about Ossining is diversity” said Brooks during his introductory remarks.
But Brooks says he decided not to speak during the presentation because “as adults we have to remember that we sometimes have to step back and listen as young people have brilliant things to say.”
Principal Latoya Langley also spoke before the program began, saying she was “filled with immense pride and joy,” and “there is such a positive spirit moving through the building.” She also praised the students who participated “This is a labor of love that has taken hours of dedication and time with mentors preparing for the event”
And it showed, with the presenters using the big screen to show graphics, quotes and pictures to enhance their presentations.
The program featured a wide range of issues and ideas, including the impact of social media, challenges faced by students on the Autism spectrum, how immigrant students can learn to assimilate, turning hatred into acceptance, the impact of education on people of color – and more.
Derick Campos, an 11th grader, spoke at the afternoon session. The topic: technology’s effects on students and teachers in the modern classroom and how we should deal with its impact.
“Thanks to TEDx I can voice my passion and hopefully inspire someone,” said Campos. “I want people to walk away with something by the end of the event. Thanks to TEDx I can voice my passion and hopefully inspire someone.”
Fellow 11th grader, Aiden Mendez, spoke about “the evolution of education, the importance of education for people of color, and how people of color can take advantage of the opportunities provided to them today.”
“I chose this topic because I am originally from New York City, and I have witnessed education from completely different perspectives,” said Mendez. “I understand how difficult it can be for students to home in on their full potential both personally and academically.”
Both Campos and Mendez also say that diversity is important.
“With diversity, comes unique perspectives. With a unique perspective, comes a thriving environment where the community can prosper with different opinions and new ideas,” said Campos.
“Diversity helps people have empathy towards others as well as expand their perspective on different topics. It helps to ensure all sides are heard equally” adds Mendez. “I got involved because I heard about it through MBK, and I felt like this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to have a voice about something they feel passionately about.”
This is the first TEDx event at OHS, but Brooks says hopefully it won’t be the last “We’d like it to be an annual thing that students can look forward to.”
“The license is for one year, we want to keep applying every year and make it a staple,” adds Sarr.
