About | TEDxEvans 2024

BREAKING BARRIERS

March 3rd, 2024

Venue: Jack B Patrick Info Tech Center

About TEDx

TEDx is a grassroots initiative, created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to research and discover “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx brings the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through TEDx events. These events are organized by passionate individuals who seek to uncover new ideas and to share the latest research in their local areas that spark conversations in their communities. TEDx events include live speakers and recorded TED Talks, and are organized independently under a free license granted by TED. These events are not controlled by TED, but event organizers agree to abide by our format, and are offered guidelines for curation, speaker coaching, event organizing and more. They learn from us and from each other. More than 3000 events are now held annually.

Explore More

About Our Event

TEDxEvans is an annual event organized by local volunteers, where live TEDx talks and performances are shared globally. TEDx events are fully coordinated independently based on a conversation, connection, and community. The content and design of each TEDx event are unique and developed independently, but all of them have common features. The TEDx Evans Youth presents multiple issues and a diversity of voices from many disciplines. It is just like TED events, it lacks any commercial, religious or political agenda. The goal of our event is to spark conversation, connection, and community.

Meet the Speakers

Meet our diverse group of young speakers poised to redefine what it means to Break Barriers in the 21st Century. From artificial intelligence to healthy living, from revolutionized healthcare to overcoming drug addictions, and from meditation to motivation, these voices will guide us to embrace change and revolutionize our living looking into the future.

"The Power of Case Studies"

Rayna Paramesh

Rayna Paramesh is a junior at The Walker School. Some activities she participates in are being an ambassador for Girl Talk Inc and collaborating with the NIH to create a toxicology course for students. She also volunteers with elementary school kids and runs a stem club at her local elementary school. Aside from extracurricular activities, some hobbies she has are baking, reading and yoga. Rayna is particularly excited to give this speech as she has learned the most about the sciences through this exact type of learning.

Watch Talk

"You Don’t Have to Be A Boy to Be A Boy Scout"

Mable Bradshaw

Mable Bradshaw is a 9th grade pre IB student at Lakeside High School. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and singing in choir. She also volunteers for Project Linus making blankets for hospitalized children. She runs cross country, and year round she is part of the LHS Dead Poet Society. She’s also a Boyscout in Troop 1615 and is working towards Eagle. She loves public speaking and is very excited for this year's TEDx so she can talk about her passion in scouting and her Eagle journey.

Watch Talk

"Unleash Your Inner Strength"

Pranita Akella

Pranita is a senior at Lakeside High School. This year, she is eager to deliver a TED Talk centered on the theme of her successful journey in high school. Through her talk, she would like to challenge the audience to “Unleash Their Inner Strength.” Pranita plans to delve into the transformative power of experiences, emphasizing how each encounter shapes our identity and influences our trajectory. Her goal is to underscore the significance of taking control of one's actions and accepting responsibility while navigating the intricate journey of adolescence.

Watch Talk

"Drowning On Land - How Words Weigh Us Down"

Isabella Cardona-Mendez

Isabella is a pre-IB freshman at Lakeside High School, interested in neuroscience and psychology. Her creative spirit shines through her writing, speeches being a new extension to her portfolio of projects, while she explores her love for science in clubs like HOSA and Stem 21. She is a part of the Lakeside Track Team where she learns teamwork and perseverance. Isabella has taken on the challenge of public speaking to continue her journey of self-development and discovery and hopes to inspire others by changing the world one mindset at a time with her speech.

Watch Talk

"Motivation: The Science Behind It"

Aman Paregi

Aman Paregi is an IB junior at Lakeside High School. Aman is involved in many clubs and honor societies. As a part of the Executive Committee on the Youth Board, he helps give back to his community. He is the VP of Membership for his local Toastmasters International’s Gavel Club, where he improves his communication and public speaking skills. As the president of TSA, he enthusiastically leads his chapter, constantly prioritizing motivation amongst his members. At TEDx, Aman plans to explore the biological mechanisms behind motivation.

Watch Talk

"Friendship in the Digital Age"

Veera Puri

Veera Puri is a 7th grader at Oak Hill Middle School. She is a member of the Junior Beta Club and a passionate writer. She recently spoke at Georgia College and State University's Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet, presenting her poem "To Be Loved by Your Community. Her topic is Friendship in the Digital Age which discusses friendship and its evolution during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch Talk

"Disability Awareness"

Kiyan Muralidhar

Kiyan Muralidhar is a 6th grader at Stallings Island Middle School. His best subject is science, and he plays tennis. He likes to do Science Bee competitions, and play video games. He also likes biology, and took inspiration from Dr. Strange. He is a boy scout, and likes camping. He derived inspiration about this topic after seeing and learning about his grandmother who was very active previously and is currently disabled. Due to lack of awareness, handling this disability is not easy for her and for her family members. Kiyan wants to use this platform to give global awareness.

Watch Talk

"The Culinary Bridge to Cultural Exchange"

Aarav Patel

Aarav Patel is a freshman at Lakeside High School and is a part of the Pre-IB program. He loves math, science, music, and food. Aarav explores math and science by participating in a few clubs at school such as the STEM club. He enjoys music by listening to a variety of different genres including Rap and Rock. Aarav is the current Sergeant at Arms of the local Toastmasters International Gavel club. The club helps him build and strengthen his communication skills along with his leadership skills.

Watch Talk

"Inner Peace, Outer Health: Meditation"

Krish Patel

Krish Patel is a freshman at Lakeside High School. In the future, he aims to go into the medical field. Krish is a Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and hopes to reach the Eagle Rank. He takes part in clubs including Math Team, Science Olympiad, HOSA, and FBLA. He plays for the Lakeside soccer team. He is a part of the Toastmasters Gavel Club, where he improves his communication and leadership skills. Krish chose to talk about the effects of meditation to raise awareness on clearing our minds and being purposeful of our actions.

Watch Talk

"Vege-Psychology"

Chetan Jaini

Chetan Jaini is a 6th grader at Evans Middle School. He is fond of science and math but loves all other academics just as much. His interests are art, chess, basketball, and reading. He has also been a part of Stemify where he has won first place in science with his teammates. He wrote his TEDx talk as an answer to a question he frequently gets from his peers. He is also a part of his school's band and plays 2 instruments, the piano and the clarinet.

Watch Talk

"AI Transforming Healthcare"

Sona Sree Karthikeyan

Sona Sree Karthikeyan is a Freshman at the South Iredell High School in the IB Program. Sona is interested in art, music, gaming and fashion. Her favorite subjects are math and science, particularly related to the technology and medical fields. She participates in a multitude of clubs at her school and enjoys doing volunteering work. Her passion for contributing to her community inspires her to be a doctor and help others. She aims to inform people how critical AI is to the future in healthcare and to ease any uncertainties around the technology.

Watch Talk

"Overcoming the Fentanyl Crisis"

Mudia Ogala

Mudia Ogala is a senior at Westside High School who actively seeks to impact his community. He is a part of student council, chair of Jostens Ring Committee, and a speaker at Jostens Ring Ceremony. He volunteers in his church. He participated in the Youth Leadership Augusta program. Mudia aspires to be a physician in order to improve the lives of patients and his community. Mudia’s speech is about the fentanyl crisis, which is an epidemic affecting many Americans' lives. He seeks to raise awareness about the epidemic and suggest solutions.

Watch Talk

"The Importance of Novel Novels"

Gerry Williams Jr.

Gerry Williams Jr is a junior at Lakeside High School and is currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. He is a prominent leader in Lakeside’s JROTC program, the Panther Battalion, and through JROTC he is a member of the National Technical Honor Society. He makes time to enjoy his love of film, theater, and his family. Gerry has a deep passion for the art of storytelling, having amassed a large collection of novels and comics. His talk will concern the need for the introduction of new and interesting literature into English classes.

Watch Talk

Our Team

Meet the amazing individuals who make up our team. We are a small but dedicated group of professionals who are passionate about delivering exceptional results. Get to know us and discover what makes us unique.

Sharma Pogula

Chief Organizer

Sharma Pogula is a retired structural engineer with 32 years of experience. He is passionate about teaching children communication and leadership skills. As a member of Toastmasters International for 26 years, he received several awards in public speaking. Sharma received the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) certification in 2001. He also received the 1st place award at the state-level competition in 2004 and 2019. He effectively started Gavel Clubs in Augusta, Georgia and South Carolina for high school students, helping students improve their communication and leadership skills. Lastly, he conducted Youth Leadership Workshops in the state of Georgia for middle school students. This is the third TEDx Youth event Sharma Pogula has organized with passionately committed youth.