The Technology, Entertainment and Design Conference, known as TED Talks, are holding locally organized TEDx events around the world.
On Saturday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. TEDx makes its way to Chula Vista at Southwestern College’s Mayan Hall with the theme Shift Into Awareness.
TEDx is a program of local self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
The independently produced TEDxChulaVista, operated under a license from TED, will be hosted by the Chula Vista Elementary School District with collaboration from Southwestern College and the city of Chula Vista.
“It’s really about bringing that global TED brand to our local community and showcasing the amazing speakers in our community, not only here in Chula Vista but in the county of San Diego,” said Anthony Millican, director of communications and community development in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
The inaugural event features 21 presenters from different backgrounds who will share ideas in innovation and creativity.
They include: Jahja Ling, past San Diego Symphony conductor; Victor Navone, a Pixar animator; Jessie Chang, world-renowned pianist; Jean Issacs, San Diego Dance Theater; Mark Van Stone, Southwestern College professor; Malesha Taylor, opera singer; Miguel Aldrete, CEO of Kids 4 Our World; Dave Huxtable, languages enthusiast; Maresa Friedman, entrepreneur; Jennifer Purdie, endurance athlete; Minerva Briseno-Diaz, entrepreneur; Mark Brouker, leadership coach; Senka Hadzimuratovic, community humanitarian; Maxx Moses, graffiti artist; Evan Garcia, student; Ythaniel Marcus G. Tolete, student; Joslyn Herrera, student; Makennna Davis, student; Aleksandra Schubert, student; Cory Downs, environmental scientist; and Trystan Loucado and Desiree Cuizon, dancers.
Aldrete, 18, a senior at Olympian High School, said he is happy to be a presenter.
“I thought it would help me as a speaker to grow because it is a new form of speaking that I am not used to,” he said. “TED is pretty much like the Super Bowl for speakers, it was pretty much an opportunity that I did not want to pass up.”
Yathaniel, Josyln, Evan and Makenna are Winners of the annual Chula Vista Elementary School District speech contest and will be delivering their speeches at TEDxChulaVista.
“It’s a way of inspiring not only our attendees but also giving our speakers that global stage, Millican said.
“This helps students because it elevates their public speaking to a complelty higher level, it also puts them on a global stage.”
Millican said the event is sold out.
