Theme: ENERGY

Welcome to TEDxValencia High School 2025 - ENERGY! Starting back in 2015, this is our 9th TEDx Youth Event! My name is Tara Filowitz and I am the coordinator of this event and the program at our school. When our TEDx leadership team came together to decide upon a theme for this year, we opted to go with something that is meaningful and important to ALL teenagers - ENERGY! Whether they have too much or not enough, the modern teenager is a constant source of energy. In the words of Aristotle, “The ENERGY of the mind is the essence of life.”

The energy of a single thought can flip a switch in your mind. The energy of a community—like all of us here—coming together to dream bigger. The energy of this amazing campus, Valencia High School, where students, teachers, and innovators are redefining what’s possible every single day. That’s what TEDx Youth is all about—harnessing that raw, electric potential and turning it into action.

We’ve got an incredible lineup of student speakers— observational reporters , visionaries, and game-changers— all who are ready to share their ideas with you tonight. They’ll explore energy in all its forms: the kind that fuels innovative pediatric medicine, the kind that drives our passions, and the kind that connects us to each other. From stopping overconsumption in fashion to exploring the mysteries of the ocean, tonight’s talks will leave you charged up and ready to make your mark. You’ll forget that the speakers on stage aren’t legally able to vote yet, because the power of their ideas is ageless!
As a teacher, and as a human being, I learn so much from being a part of TEDx, hearing all of the incredible speeches. The takeaway I get from the whole process was that every single person has a story to tell. Everyone is going through something. There’s always another way to look at the world. The platform of TED helps expands perception via exposure to new ideas and people. I feel blessed to be a part of such innovative platform of communication.

Open your minds, lean into the excitement, and get ready to be inspired. The future of world is on this stage tonight, and the future is BRIGHT! This isn’t just an event—it’s a launchpad. Together, we’re igniting ideas worth spreading, right here, right now, at Valencia High School. Let’s power up—welcome to TEDxValenciaHighSchool 2025 - ENERGY!

Valencia High School
500 N. Bradford Ave.
Placentia, California, 92870
United States

Aarna Vaiyapuri

Student Speaker

Aarna Vaiyapuri is a sociable sophomore who enjoys immersing herself in the worlds of music, writing, art and debate. She has been learning Indian Carnatic music since she was 6 years old and has been drawing ever since she laid her hands on a paper for the first time. Aarna participates in the Orange County Debate League and has placed among the top 10 high school speakers in OC. In her spare time, she enjoys writing stories; as she likes to say, "if a picture is worth 1000 words, then 1000 words paints a picture!".

Aashna Shah

Student Speaker

Aashna Shah is a junior at Valencia High School enrolled in the International Baccalaureate and Val Tech programs. She is a dedicated member of Chemistry Olympiad, and competes in state and national level competitions in FBLA and Academic Decathlon. Aashna enjoys learning about chemistry and biology and hopes to pursue biomedical engineering. She also loves to learn about Indian traditions and languages, and strives to better understand her roots and culture. In her free time, Aashna likes doing Bollywood dances, reading, sketching, and watching movies, and her motto is to enjoy the little things in life.

Ace Michel

Student Speaker & Musician

Ace Michel is a junior enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. Ace is very creative, finding outlets in music and working with his hands. He is able to play guitar, upright bass, electric bass, and many more. He is the 1st chair bass in the VHS Camerata orchestra. Outside of academics, Ace is LINK Crew Leader, a VHS organization that works with ASB to welcome the year’s freshmen. In his free time he enjoys rock climbing, learning about religious history, and learning new skills.

Adam Kim

Student Speaker

Adam Kim is a junior at Valencia High School enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program. Some of the clubs he is involved in at school are Model United Nations, Mock Trial, Future Business Leaders of America, and Politics Club. He is also on the Varsity Water Polo and Swim teams. Outside of school, Adam likes to play the piano and is an active member at his church, where he serves within his high school ministry. His passion is history and politics, and he hopes to study and pursue a career in law. In his free time, Adam loves to watch soccer, especially his favorite team, Real Madrid.

Alexandra Pinheiro Khair

Student Speaker

Alexandra Pinheiro Khair is a Junior at Valencia High School enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program at the Valencia Technology Academy. She has been a long-time member of the VHS Robotics Team (4470), Cyber Patriots, and an active competitor and board member of FBLA. Volunteering through Girl Scouts and at the Yorba Linda Library, she has grown a strong and emotional connection to the community. With a strong passion for learning, she is taking classes like IBHL Chemistry, Computer Science, AP Statistics, and is always looking for new topics to break apart. Alexandra is certain that her passions for gaining new skills will give her the tools needed to build her dreams of sustainable scientific innovation.

Bill Meng

Student Speaker & Event Artistic Director

Bill Meng, a Senior in the Val Tech program at Valencia High School, is an aspiring concept artist pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. Bill has been drawing since the age of 4 and loves to create worlds and tell stories through his art by designing dynamic characters and environments. At his high school, Bill is the President of the Arts and Creations Club, spreading the visual arts through community service activities such as mural painting and poster making. Mock Trial: State-level award-winning Pretrial Attorney & courtroom artist. FBLA: national competitor for Visual Design & Graphics Director - creating promotional posts and designing logos for the FBLA organization. Bill is a 2-time TEDx speaker, Chinese Club treasurer, & graphics artist for his school. Recently, Bill interned at U.S. Arts & Design as a teacher’s aide. Bill has participated in and won numerous awards in art competitions.

Chandrika Bakshi

Student Speaker

Chandrika Bakshi is a senior at Valencia High school and is a candidate of the Val Tech program with a focus in computer science. She is passionate about helping her community and shining a light upon those who may often be overlooked. She volunteers at various city events as well as planning some as president of the service club Interact of Placentia, sponsored by Rotary of Placentia, and in part of time spent as North Area Coordinator and serving on the Advisory Council for District 5320 Interact, a club based upon Rotary International. One event she planned was to show appreciation for the neighboring police department, and that experience, along with many close encounters, served as the basis for her TedX talk, “The Weight of the Badge.” Along with city events, Chandrika volunteers at different senior homes and most school events. Chandrika hopes to spend her time in the future continuing to help others who cannot help themselves.

Delilah Yick

Student Speaker

Delilah Yick is a junior at Valencia High School pursuing a variety of extracurriculars and an International Baccalaureate Diploma. Deeply committed to civil service, she spends most of her time volunteering and serving the community through activities such as her internship at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and her active participation in the Girl Scouts of Orange County. Delilah’s dedication is also evident in her willingness to take initiative, actively taking on roles such as being on a planning committee for a Girl Scout college and career workshop and assisting with the Women & Wheels branch at the Cruisin’ for a Cure event. In addition to community service, she is also the captain of VHS’s Hip-Hop team, helping lead the team to a 1st place victory at the MDDT Street-dance competition. In her very limited free time, she enjoys taking naps, going to cars & coffees with her friends, and watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Elliot Frields

Student Speaker

Elliot Frields is a Senior enrolled in both the International Baccalaureate and Val Tech programs. Elliot’s favorite subjects are economics and psychology. Elliot Frields is a four-year member of Valencia's Mock Trial Team, acting as a lawyer for 3 of the 4. Elliot also participates within our school’s Future Business Leaders of America team placing nationally in the category of Economics. Elliot also has a passion for supporting his local community, serving as co-president for PYL Parks, a club dedicated to keeping our local parks clean and their best. In his free time, you can catch Elliot reading comics, watching movies, and indulging in anything related to science fiction.

Emily Pasillas

Student Speaker

Emily Pasillas is a senior at Valencia High School. At school, Emily wears many hats such as being the National Honor Society President, co-Editor-in-Chief of El Tigre, a founder of two clubs on campus, and a Cambridge Academy student. Outside of school, Emily interns at the REACH Foundation and started her own creative writing program, Imagination Team. Emily tutors on the side to save up for college, which she hopes to attend on the East Coast! You can find Emily drinking coffee and writing poetry in her free time. In the future, Emily hopes to become a poetry author and work for a non-profit that advocates against social inequality.

Genie (Wenyu) Tang

Student Speaker

Genie is a senior at Valencia High School with a passion for exploring the intersection of business, economics, and psychology. Outside of school, she loves indulging in opportunities such as research positions and internships to expand her skill set. She is dedicated to advocating for socio-economic equality in organizations such as the California Association of Student Councils, along with analyzing research at the USC Los Angeles Behavioral Economics Laboratory. Genie has a deep commitment to reshaping business practices to prioritize integrity, responsibility, and sustainable growth. In the future, she will be pursuing economics and statistics as her major in college. Through her dedication to combining the insights from economics and her personal experiences, Genie Tang is determined to drive change in both social reform and the business world.

Lucy Ann Enomoto

Student Speaker

Lucy Ann Enomoto is a sophomore, enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Valencia High School. Lucy Ann’s favorite subjects are AP chemistry, AP environmental science and AP US history. Lucy Ann is a second-year varsity softball player who plays 3rd base. During the summer and fall, Lucy Ann spends her time competing around Southern California with the Bownet travel softball team under Coach Suzy Brazney. She is also an accomplished pianist and recently completed the Certificate of Merit: Level 9, earning State Honors. Lucy Ann serves on the National Ticktockers Advisory Council for the National Charity League and volunteers for Meal on Wheels. Lucy Ann is an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan whose goal is to visit all 30 major league ballparks with her dad. So far, they have visited 23 stadiums across the country

Madison Low

Student Speaker

Madison Low is an aspiring entrepreneur who has been managing an online shop since 2019. Since then, she has become a student mentor for different pitch competition curriculums and became an officer for Future Business Leaders of America.

Sophia Raja

Student Speaker

Sophia is the youngest of three children and a junior enrolled in the ValTech program at Valencia High School. Sophia’s favorite subjects are AP Psychology and AP Environmental Science. Along with TedX, she volunteers in the Orange County Citizen’s Climate Lobby where she helps educate others and write to Congress about climate change. In her free time, Sophia loves to sew, embroider, and bake for her family. Sophia's future plans include pursuing a career in biology research to improve medical treatment for women. Her favorite pizza topping is pineapple.

Tiana (Ruotong) Zhang

Student Speaker

Tiana Ruo Tong Zhang is a current freshman at Valencia High School. She is passionate about education policy and is involved in the school robotics team, 4470 Tigears. Out of school, she competes in climbing, sails for fun, and creates short videos. In the future, she aims to travel the world.

Yamini Vunguturi

Student Speaker

Yamini Vunguturi is currently a senior at Valencia High School and is pursuing the dual International Baccalaureate and Val Tech diploma. She is an avid reader and loves rainy days. She is pursuing a career in biotechnology and/or cybersecurity. Outside of school, she was placed 9th overall competitor in the Orange County Academic Decathlon competition, of which she has been a part for the past 4 years. She serves as the secretary for the Future Business Leaders of America chapter in her school, where she oversees the organization of events and members. Yamini is also a chapter outreach coordinator for the non-profit organization STEMsters, an organization that teaches children STEM experiments, and the founder/president of her school's chapter. Recently, she researched pediatric innovation and earned runner-up placement for her team’s innovation within the county. In the future, she hopes to help others in any way she can and travel the world.