TEDxSMICSchool leaves lasting impressions

Applause exploded from the audience as Sunny Hu (12A) took a bow, staring at the circular red carpet beneath his feet. Along with eleven other speakers on March 31st, Sunny delivered his impassioned speech to listeners at this year’s TEDxSMICSchool with the theme “Truth & Dare”. Both the speakers and the TEDxSMICSchool team began preparing for the event a year ago.

TEDxSMICSchool received speaker applications since last April, before the current school year even began. The speakers started brainstorming during the summer and drafted their speeches in the fall. “I prepared over ten drafts,” Sunny stated. “It was tiring but it was all worth it.” His speech expresses his love for flight simulation and how he had learned a valuable lesson through it along with college application. Through flight simulation, Sunny learned to create checklists to achieve one’s goals and attempted to apply the method to college application. Although he completed every item on the checklist, he still got rejections; but he has learned to deal with it with a positive mindset. “We should always try our best and be professional with the right mindset and stay motivated,” Sunny concluded.

In addition to the several student speakers, adult speakers were also invited to deliver their own messages. One of them was Nelson Zhang, the Wearhaus Chief Technology Officer (CTO), also a member of Forbes China 30 Under 30. Another was Dr. Travers Barclay Child, a professor at China European International Business School (CEIBS), who expressed his disapproval of sending military troops to humanitarian bases in Afghanistan.

Those who worked the hardest for TEDxSMICSchool hustled behind the scenes, but they are not forgotten. Wesley Ding (12A), the Lead Organizer of the event, worked endless sleepless nights to perfect the day. He remarked, “It was quite a busy year with a lot of unexpected circumstances as we strived to create a more diverse class of guest speakers. The last several weeks were particularly hectic.”

“We all worked very hard, especially Wesley,” Design Director Victoria Liu (12A) commented. “The last few days were very busy and tiring, but we did it.” Not only did the team have to select the speakers, they also had to help them with their drafting (along with advisors Ms. Amy Chen and Mr. Jeff Boldt), purchase and design the props and decorations, and run the day smoothly. Members can be seen running around weeks before the event day assembling posters and name cards and monitoring rehearsals.

TEDxSMICSchool began its legacy two years ago when its inaugural class of speakers took their positions on stage. According to Wesley, “We first started TEDxSMICSchool to make a positive impact on our community as part of a class project. It has always been  The audience can clearly see all the time and energy the speakers and organizing team had put into this event. Although speaker and organizing team applications are selective, TEDxSMICSchool is a platform for students and community stakeholders to share their opinions and to send a message. Maybe you will be the next one to stand on that circular red carpet or designing the poster that will be displayed throughout the school!

Featured Image – Nelson Zhang speaks passionately on TEDxSMICSchool stage Courtesy of Bryan Yeh