US Army Veteran and Healthcare Executive

Dr. J. Gregory Jolissaint spent 36 years wearing an Army uniform. He began his military career as an Infantry Officer before returning to school and becoming a Medical Doctor. After completing a Family Medicine Residency, Greg spent the next 24 years serving in US Army medical leadership positions; his final active-duty assignment was as a Deputy Commander for Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Following his military retirement, Greg enjoyed clinical leadership positions as a defense contractor and executive leadership positions in the Veterans Health Administration prior to serving as an executive leader in a large non-profit health care system. Dr. Jolissaint now serves as an independent healthcare consultant and Veterans disability benefits advisor. 

Founder of CXA Empire, Brand Strategist, Author

Christian Andrew is a dynamic entrepreneur, brand strategist, author, and public figure dedicated to helping others achieve success. As the founder of CXA Empire, he specializes in branding and image strategy, empowering individuals and businesses to elevate their presence and make a lasting impact. With a visionary mindset and an unwavering commitment to purpose, Christian has built a trusted reputation for helping others refine their brand identity and messaging. He has collaborated with leaders across various industries, including business, entertainment, politics, and faith, using his expertise to strengthen brands and expand their reach. His work is notably anchored to his book “Brand To The Top!”. Christian serves in ministry at the Kingdom Alliance of Churches International (KACI) and inspires others through faith, mentorship, and personal growth. He believes in the power of perseverance and self-belief, using his journey to encourage others to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

Director of Operations and Programs at All-American Model UN

Sarah Schwartz is the Director of Operations and Programs at All-American Model UN, where she helps students navigate global challenges through diplomacy and debate. A magna cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University, she triple majored in Public Policy Studies, Economics, and German Studies, completing an honors thesis on political identity and the modern East-West divide in Germany. Based in Washington, DC, Sarah pairs her work in global education with a personal commitment to seeing the world firsthand. An avid backpacker and traveler, she believes movement, both across borders and beyond comfort zones, is one of life’s greatest teachers and joys. When she’s not coaching students or catching flights, you can find her playing guitar, surfing, or searching for DC’s best new restaurant.

Miss Maryland 2025, Litigation Paralegal at a Leading Corporate Law Firm in Washington, DC

Maria Derisavi is a 23‑year‑old summa cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama, where she earned a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Chinese. Born in Kuwait to an Iranian‑American family, she moved to the United States at age nine. 

This past June, Maria was crowned Miss Maryland 2025. At the 2026 Miss America competition, she placed as a Top 10 semifinalist and was the winner of the Preliminary Evening Gown Award. Since beginning her year of service, she has completed more than 60 service engagements and traveled over 10,000 miles across Maryland. As Miss Maryland, Maria champions resilience development programming for low‑income students. Since 2021, she has led her community service initiative, SeizeYourOpportunities, a research‑backed program centered on goal setting, self‑efficacy, and personal empowerment. Her seminars have already reached thousands of students across the state.

Sophomore at River Hill High School

Matthias Clarke is a sophomore at River Hill High School with interests in STEM and political science. He hopes to pursue a career in nanotech that will yield greater access to medical treatment and food availability in underdeveloped nations. Matthias involves himself in the school community as he is a part of Black Leadership Union, FBLA, Alpha Achievers, Model UN, MESA, and Science Olympiad. Outside of school, he likes to play football, work out, play video games, and restore computers. Through his speech, Matthias seeks to share his personal experiences to inspire others to take charge of their ideas and turn them into reality.

Sophomore at River Hill High School

Dia Jain is a sophomore at River Hill High School with a strong passion for STEM topics such as behavioral health and engineering. Outside of school she is involved in FBLA, MESA, HC DrugFree, and STEM mentors. She hopes that through her research she can help others feel more comfortable managing performance anxiety and foster confidence in athletes and public speakers alike during high-pressure situations.

Sophomore at River Hill High School

Aina Manchanda-Izquierdo is a sophomore at River Hill High School who has a deep passion for psychology and the arts. She involves herself in the school community as a member and a leader of many clubs, such as Tri-M (Music Honor Society), French Honor Society, Angels Network, and Hawkapella. Outside of school, she is an avid reader, writer, singer, and crafter, as well as a soccer player. Along with this, she is on a path to publish a children's book she co-authored, aiming to support young readers during difficult moments and use her passion to benefit those who need it. She hopes that her TEDx talk will inspire others to engage in their own research about mental health, and encourage others to join in open and compassionate conversations. 

Sophomore at River Hill High School

Joshi Mylavarapu is a sophomore at River Hill High School who is driven by a strong passion for art, technology, and psychology. She is an active leader and member of several school clubs, including Model UN, the National Art Honor Society (NAHS), and The Quill. Outside of her academic life, she dedicates her time to volunteering at The MD School for the Blind and works as an IT Technician at MVS Inc. Deeply engaged with world events, she constantly seeks ways to make a positive impact in her daily life. Through her upcoming TEDx talk, Joshi aims to both educate and inspire her audience on the increasingly relevant issue of Artificial Intelligence replacing human roles. The question she will address is this; does AI possess the ability for better creation and accomplishment compared to humans, or are its capabilities limited, lacking the “imperfection” that often defines true perfection?

Sophomore at River Hill High School

Rebekah is a sophomore at River Hill High School passionate about biology, immunology, and science communication for underprivileged communities. A spoken-word performer and dystopian fiction reader, she hopes to become a physician-investigator and give back to disadvantaged populations through research and service.

International Exchange Student from Armenia

Anahit Bakunts is an exchange student from Armenia attending River Hill High School. She was selected for a highly competitive, fully funded international exchange program with a 2.33% acceptance rate, an experience that strengthened her academic adaptability, independence, and resilience. While attending the Perry Outreach Program, she performed six mock surgeries and participated in a biomechanics experiment, reinforcing her commitment to medicine. Beyond academics, Anahit is involved in community service and youth leadership. She volunteers with the Red Cross, supporting individuals forcibly displaced from Artsakh. She also assists with community initiatives through Impact Hub Syunik. Anahit facilitates discussions on local issues and collaborates with international organizations such as the UN and UNHCR. Through TEDx, Anahit hopes to inspire youth from underrepresented communities to break stereotypes and create innovative opportunities.

Freshman at River Hill High School

Olivia Lee is a freshman student at River Hill involved in many clubs and sports. As a tennis player, runner, and musician who values curiosity, personal growth and understanding different perspectives, she sees TEDx as another learning experience to engage with ideas beyond her usual viewpoint. In her talk she examines how gaps in historical narratives shape public understanding and why confronting overlooked history matters. She hopes for it to be a chance to learn and challenge herself in a meaningful way outside her comfort zone.

Freshman at River Hill High School

Aarya Balaji is a freshman at River Hill High School who loves being involved in the school community, serving as a social media coordinator for SGA, a member of varsity debate and Future Business Leaders of America. He has been playing badminton for around 2 years and has thoroughly enjoyed it since, making it a cornerstone of his life. Along with this, he aims to be able to make a difference in the community and help as many people as he can with the things he struggled with in the past. Through his TEDx talk, he aims to bring light into the seemingly negative outcomes and prejudices of losses in sports and inspire others not to give up when all may seem lost. 

Sophomore at River Hill High School

Layla Abukhdeir is a sophomore at River Hill High School who is actively involved in clubs like the Muslim Student Association, Angel’s Network, and HOSA. She enjoys reading, running, and participating in service initiatives. Having worn glasses since she was 18 months old, she developed a personal connection to ophthalmology and early vision care. Through the Independent Research program at River Hill, she now researches what factors influence whether or not parents seek vision care for their children and how schools can play a role in providing vision screenings for low-income families. She aims to pursue a career in pediatric ophthalmology while supporting efforts to make vision care more accessible to underserved children.