Bios
Our 12 speakers of TEDxYouth@DoyleAve 2022!
Cassidy Kurtz
Age: 15
Grade: 10
School: Kelowna Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Living Beyond Limits - Amy Purdy
Title of Talk: Breaking the Stigma on Mental Health
Bio: I am a grade 10 student at Kelowna Secondary School. I am a dancer at The Village Dance Academy and I am very passionate about mental health and fitness! In my spare time I enjoy reading, working out, and hanging out with friends!
Daisy Osberg
Age: 16
Grade: 11
School: Mount Boucherie Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: Do we see reality as it is? - Donald Hoffman
Title of Talk: It’s okay not knowing what’s after graduation
Bio: I’m Daisy and I am a grade 11 student at Mount Boucherie Secondary School! I spend a lot of my time with my family and friends. If I’m not with them then I am probably watching Grey’s Anatomy or hanging out with my cat, Tubbs. A lot of my days are also consumed writing notes for school which is definitely one of my favorite activities. One day I hope to become a lawyer but in all honesty, that plan may change in the next year or so.
Gurnoor Chawla
Age: 17
Grade: 12
School: Rutland Senior Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: How to sound smart in your Tedx talk - Well Stephen
Title of Talk: Stop toasting marshmallows over a burning world
Bio: I am an opportunist who loves to explore new things. My hobbies include playing the guitar, the drums, drawing, robotics and video editing. I hope to study engineering at university.
Thomas Abresch
Age: 14
Grade: 8
School: Dr. Knox Middle School
Favourite TED Talk: Fifty Shaed of Gay - iO Tillett Wright
Title of Talk: It's Hard to Be Yourself
Bio: My name's Thomas. I'm a fourteen year old guy who loves video games and horror movies. I do some creative writing in my free time and I've been told I'm pretty decent at it. I like Stephen King books and Tally Hall's music, sometimes together. I'm also transgender!
Sarah Walter
Age: 16
Grade: 11
School: Okanagan Mission
Favourite TED Talk: Too many to count!
Title of Talk: Using ADHD to your advantage
Bio: I am a strong independent women, that also likes women. I base my day to day life on humour and I am a very respectful individual. I can talk a lot, I’m also quite stubborn. My hobbies include art, long discussions with my mother, learning about and shaping myself, and other teen like enjoyments.
Katie Jones
Age: 16
Grade: 11
School: Kelowna Secondary School
Favourite TED Talk: What makes you special? - Mariana Antencio
Title of Talk: Let's open up our ears to mental health.
Bio: I was told to describe myself in 150 words. However, in my opinion, 150 words to describe me doesn’t do it justice; but I will give it a shot. I am a competitive figure skater, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a mega dog lover. My whole life I have tried to be someone I think people want, or expect me to be. However, in the past year I have realised that all those versions of myself that I created weren't me and that I just wanted to be the real me. The real me is still a competitive figure skater, sister, daughter, friend and a mega dog lover. But she is also someone who gets joy in making other peoples day better - even if it’s for the dumbest reason. I am the girl who just wants to enjoy and live her life to the fullest, however and whatever that may be.
Aria Haller
Age: 11
Grade: 5
School: Sensisyusten School
Favourite TED Talk: Captíkwł is Medicine - Madeline Terbasket
Title of Talk: Tupl's Captíkwł Can Lead Us to Truth & Reconciliation
Bio: My indigenous name is Ts'utanchuny, which means hummingbird. The hummingbird is a symbol of life, joy and freedom to many people. It is a bird, portrayed as a messenger in traditional stories. Like a hummingbird, I am tiny, but powerful.
Farah Abboud
Age: 15
Grade: 9
School: Dr. Knox Middle School
Favourite TED Talk: I Am Not Your Asian Stereotype - Canwen Xu
Title of Talk: Your Idea of Me is Stereotypical
Bio: My name is Farah Abboud, I am fifteen years old and originally from the lively country of Lebanon. I’m in the ninth grade at Dr.Knox middle school. I’m really passionate about helping others and defending those who aren't able to defend themselves, which is why I want to become a human rights lawyer with the goal of creating a platform where I can fight for others. I enjoy the little random aspects of life, such as when you and your friend spontaneously start singing at the same time. I moved here two years ago, and since then I have learned a lot. In these two years, I have learned how to love more, such as loving my background and culture more and appreciating what it gives me.
Our Voice for Change
Erin Work
Age: 15
Grade: 10
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary
Favourite TED Talk: Grit: The power of passion perseverance
Title of Talk: Dissection; Our Past Not Our Future
Bio: Erin is a grade 10 student at OKM who is energetic, organized, and determined. She enjoys hanging out with friends, volunteering, baking, and skiing. When she was younger she was apart of Earth Rangers and left feeling passionate about advocating for animals. When presented with the opportunity to be apart of Our Voice For Change she couldn't resist a chance to make change. Erin is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Annabelle, Lexie and Caitlin, people who share the same passion for equality and the environment as she does. Now Erin is excited to show more people the importance of evolving the school curriculum to match the rapid advancements of society.
Lexie Pfenning
Age: 15
Grade: 10
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary
Favourite TED Talk: A brave new future for science beyond traditional animal models - Elisabeth Ormandy
Title of Talk: Dissection; Our Past Not Our Future
Bio: Lexie is a grade 10 student at OKM whos is motivated, creative, and hard working. She enjoys playing guitar, painting, and spending time with friends. Lexie was extremely excited at the opportunity of Our Voice For Change, because of her passion for animals. She is grateful for getting to work with Erin, Caitlin, and Annabelle on this amazing project. Now Lexie is looking forward to taking a big step forward with their project, the upcoming ted talk.
Annabelle Lee
Age: 16
Grade: 10
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary
Favourite TED Talk: It's Time to Think Outside the Cage - Charu Chandrasekera
Title of Talk: Dissection; Our Past Not Our Future
Bio: Annabelle is an ambitious grade 10 student at OKM Secondary Schoo, who is passionate about making the world around her better. From a young age she has been motivated to help inspire change. From bake sale fundraisers to advocating for animal rights in dissection, she has always been striving to make a positive impact. Annabelle is very grateful for the opportunity to work with Erin, Lexie and Caitlin, people who share the same passion for the world as she does. Now, Annabelle is excited to be able to share the potential advancements available for the school curriculum with more people and highlight the importance of evolving to be better.
Caitlin Mahony
Age: 15
Grade: 10
School: Okanagan Mission Secondary
Favourite TED Talk: A brave new future for science beyond traditional animal models - Elisabeth Ormandy
Title of Talk: Dissection; Our Past Not Our Future
Bio: Caitlin is a caring, hard working and organized, grade 10 student at OKM! Outside of school Caitlin enjoys skiing in the winter, golfing in the summer and spending time with her family and friends! Caitlin has always been passionate and curious about finding innovative ways to change the world. When she was invited to join Our Voice For Change she was thrilled! Caitlin is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Lexie, Erin and Annabelle. She can’t wait to spread awareness and educate other about our mission!