Videos Released on YouTube of TEDx Talks in Oak Forest.

On June 3rd, four brave Oak Forest High School students and 1 teacher took center stage to share their ideas with an audience. At the TEDxYouth@OakParkAve event, all eyes were on them. All of the speakers did a wonderful job sharing their own ideas with Oak Forest, but now, their ideas will be shared with the world.

One of the great things about being a speaker at an official TEDx event, is that each talk is recorded. It is then uploaded to the official TED YouTube channel for all the world to see. The videos of TEDxYouth@OakParkAve's talks were released in July. It is wonderful that the ideas of these bright minds can now be seen all over the world. You can find each of their videos below. Please click on the link below the picture.

First up was Yosra Abdulwahid and Reneen Alan who spoke about the failures of standardized tests. They are both senior at Oak Forest High School and are involved with DECA as well as being honor students. They shared facts and reasons why standardized testing fails for student and schools alike.

Standardized Testing Fails | Yosra Abdulwahid & Reneen Allan | TEDxYouth@OakParkAve

Mr. Edwin Lipowski was up next and spoke about the need for everyone, especially our youth, to get involved with our democratic system of government. Mr. Lipowski is a teacher at Oak Forest High School and is everyone's favorite Human Geography teacher. He has a way of connecting with students that makes them love learning.

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport / Edwin Lipowski/ TEDxYouth@OakParkAve

Shealyn Scott took the stage next and spoke about gun control and why it is everyone's responsibility to become involved in this important issue. Shealyn is a junior at Oak Forest High School and is involved in the speech team, is an honor student and is involved in civic engagement in her community.

What You Can Do About Gun Control / Shealyn Scott / TEDxYouth@OakParkAve

Gabrielle Rona shared her experience with passion and how it is the mundane aspects of life, that sometimes have the greatest power in our future. Gabrielle is a junior at Oak Forest High School and is the a flutiest and is 1st chair for the prestigious and elite Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. If that is not impressive enough, she is also in the Oak Forest Symphonic Band and is an honor student.

The Mundane Aspects of Life / Gabrielle Rona / TEDxYouth@OakParkAve

Last but certainly not least, was Breanne Morrissey. She spoke about the life of her brother Conor Morrissey who lived with epilepsy. She just graduated from Oak Forest High School where she was the recipient of the Eleanor C. Ferraro Scholarship as well as other awards. She is on her way to Saint Rose College in New York where she will pursue a degree in music to inspire others.

The Life of Conor Morrissey / Breanne Morrissey / TEDxYouth@OakParkAve

"I believe that being heard is so important for the youth of today," Annais Gangolf said when asked why she thinks the forum of the TEDxTalk is substantial. Annais Gangolf, the organizer of the event, is busy planning her next TEDx Event which is tentatively scheduled to take place at Oak Forest High School in November of 2018.