TEDxThacherSchool
Two sophomores bring TEDx to Thacher.
TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment, and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics—from science to business to global issues—in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world.
Katie O'Neill '18 and Mary Yan '18 arrived at Thacher one year ago determined to create a TEDx club with the end goal of an actual TEDx event hosted at the School. Their ambition became a reality last weekend with the very first TEDxThacherSchool. The girls put in an estimated 200 hours of work from start to finish to turn this dream into a reality. The girls were involved in every step of the process, from finding the speakers, to obtaining licensing, to orchestrating behind the scenes. When asked about the success of the event, Katie responded, "Based on reactions from students, teachers, and parents in the audience, I'd say it was a success. We had a huge turnout and our speakers' talks really blew us away."
The night was hosted by Robert Gardner CdeP 1960 who introduced each of the four speakers and encouraged the audience to look for themes of changing perceptions in each of the talks. Each of the speakers adhered to TED's mission of presenting ideas worth sharing in 18-minutes or less. The live talks were interspersed with two recorded TED talks: "This new telescope might show us the beginning of the universe" by Wendy Freedman and "To This Day...for the bullied and beautiful" by Shane Koyczan.
Additionally, the audience was treated to the musical talents of Thacher's own Jon Swift and his musical partner Jesse Siebenberg.
The night's four talks included:
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Katie O'Neill '18 and Mary Yan '18 arrived at Thacher one year ago determined to create a TEDx club with the end goal of an actual TEDx event hosted at the School. Their ambition became a reality last weekend with the very first TEDxThacherSchool. The girls put in an estimated 200 hours of work from start to finish to turn this dream into a reality. The girls were involved in every step of the process, from finding the speakers, to obtaining licensing, to orchestrating behind the scenes. When asked about the success of the event, Katie responded, "Based on reactions from students, teachers, and parents in the audience, I'd say it was a success. We had a huge turnout and our speakers' talks really blew us away."
The night was hosted by Robert Gardner CdeP 1960 who introduced each of the four speakers and encouraged the audience to look for themes of changing perceptions in each of the talks. Each of the speakers adhered to TED's mission of presenting ideas worth sharing in 18-minutes or less. The live talks were interspersed with two recorded TED talks: "This new telescope might show us the beginning of the universe" by Wendy Freedman and "To This Day...for the bullied and beautiful" by Shane Koyczan.
Additionally, the audience was treated to the musical talents of Thacher's own Jon Swift and his musical partner Jesse Siebenberg.
The night's four talks included:
Ginger Graham
Former CEO of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Leadership Coach
Never Try to Teach a Pig to Sing
Former CEO of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Leadership Coach
Never Try to Teach a Pig to Sing
Peter Farrelly
Director, producer, screenwriter
How to Make Failing Fun!
Director, producer, screenwriter
How to Make Failing Fun!
Ying-Hui Fu
Neurology professor, University of California, San Francisco
What Genes Tell Us About Sleep
James O'Neill
Chief of Police, New York City Police Department
Neighborhood Policing
I thought TEDx was a great example of how students have the power to influence and enrich a community. I am a member of the Thacher TEDx club myself and helped set the event up. It was very satisfying for me to see other students and faculty enjoy this project that we have all worked so hard on for quite some time. —Shalan Billaut-Lee '18
Neurology professor, University of California, San Francisco
What Genes Tell Us About Sleep
James O'Neill
Chief of Police, New York City Police Department
Neighborhood Policing
I thought TEDx was a great example of how students have the power to influence and enrich a community. I am a member of the Thacher TEDx club myself and helped set the event up. It was very satisfying for me to see other students and faculty enjoy this project that we have all worked so hard on for quite some time. —Shalan Billaut-Lee '18
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A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
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