Xavier Nunez-Sundara is currently a senior enrolled in Valencia’s International Baccalaureate program. He ran for the Valencia Cross Country Team and has proceeded to run for the Track and Field team as a distance runner. When not working on schoolwork or running with his team, Xavier spends his free time reading a book, watching videos on the internet, or writing short fiction. While he often seems impatient with his friends, Xavier recognizes that, when people are in between a rock and a hard place, they need a level head that is willing to listen to them, and he is more than willing to be that level head. 

Natasha Cañedo is a senior at VHS. She is a 4-year varsity softball player, & was recognized as Rookie of the Year & Softball Tiger of the Year for her leadership and commitment to the program. Natasha actively seeks opportunities to challenge herself, and expand her interests, like joining the girls golf team with minimal experience. She overcame her lack of experience by working hard and learning from her teammates and coaches. An entrepreneur at heart, Natasha used her creativity & self-taught skills to start a small business baking cakes/cupcakes for family and friends. TEDx, has been a lifelong dream of Natasha’s & she hopes to use this experience by continuing to hone her communication skills & pursue her future educational/professional goals. 

Daeuni Lee is a sophomore enrolled in both the IB and Val Tech programs at Valencia. Along with TEDx, she is also an avid member of her school’s FBLA, Academic Decathlon, and Mock Trial teams. Outside of school, Daeuni enjoys writing short stories and has won several awards in the past in the humor category. She is also a proud fan of Studio Ghibli and Broadway and hopes to one day travel to New York. Although she does not participate in sports at Valencia, she has been skiing since she was four and enjoys driving up to Mammoth Mountain with her family. In the future, Daeuni plans to pursue a career in marketing or public relations and is currently the communications director on the National Secretary’s Executive Council for FBLA. 

Eileen Kwon is a sixteen years old junior at Valencia High School, involved in the International Baccalaureate and ValTech Program. She is a part of Valencia High School’s Varsity tennis team and enjoys exercising during her free time. She takes on leadership roles through ASB and Girl Scouts and loves forming new friendships around campus. She is the president of Hope of Young leaders and founder of Helping Hands for Future leaders, outside clubs to make an impact on the community through small acts of service. She aims to help her community in any way possible through food drives to baking treats for families going through tough times. She regularly enjoys listening to music and playing tennis with her friends. Eileen is thankful for the opportunity to speak at TEDx and talk about the psychology behind horoscopes. 

Rushin Sanghavi is a senior enrolled in Val Tech programs at Valencia High School. Rushin has always enjoyed nature, independent sports, and talking which translates to his passion for golf and public speaking. He has been on the Valencia Golf Team for four years and has won many first places in independently hosted tournaments. Additionally, he is the President of Operation Smile Club for three years which strives to create smiles on kids who have been born with a cleft lip and palate. Outside of school, Rushin has participated in many different regional and state Science Olympiad Competitions and coached many winning Science Olympiad Teams at Kraemer Middle School. Through his leadership experiences, he has strengthened his values of determination and confidence which are essential for suppressing stress. In his free time, Rushin enjoys thrill-seeking adventures whether it be jet skiing in Hawaiian waters, parasailing in Mexico, or hiking the tallest Hawaiian mountains.

Lucy Ann Enomoto is a freshman at Valencia High School, & she is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. Lucy Ann enjoys her English and European History classes, as well as all her subjects. Lucy Ann is on Valencia High School’s Varsity softball team, and she has also represented the school in its mock trial competitions as an attorney. She also serves on the newly formed PYLUSD Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee where she strives to provide equal opportunities for all students within the district. Since 7th grade, Lucy Ann has volunteered for over 250 hours through the National Charity League’s Yorba Linda Chapter. She is also an accomplished pianist and is competing at Certificate of Merit: Level 8. In 2020, she was invited to compete in the convention, and she is working towards being invited again. On the weekends, Lucy Ann spends her time studying/competing with travel softball (Firecrackers Medina Schneider OC). Lucy Ann is also an avid LA Dodger fan.

Nina Kini is a junior at Valencia High School currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program & Valencia Technology Academy. Nina is involved in Science Olympiad (both coaching & competing), Teens for Teen Health national online newspaper, & STEAMing Time (a nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing young students to the world of Science & Technology. Nina’s main interests lie in Computers & all things Science-related. She also thoroughly enjoys being part of Valencia High School's Link Crew to help new incoming 9th grade students get acclimatized to the high school environment. An avid pursuer of knowledge outside of school boundaries, Nina has taken community college courses in Computer Science Languages/Information Systems, Human Anatomy & Physiology, & Statistics/Probability. Nina serves as an active member of the Teen Advisory Board for the Yorba Linda & Placentia Public libraries. For fun, Nina enjoys playing basketball & fixing broken items around her house.

Vivian Wang is a freshman at Stanford University and class of 2021 International Baccalaureate diploma graduate from Valencia High School. At Stanford, she plans on studying computer science, communications, Spanish, and Chinese and strives to bridge the gender gap in technology. In college, Vivian has been involved in The Stanford Daily, CS for Social Good, Stanford Women in Business, and the Taiwanese Cultural Society. Seven years ago, Vivian co-founded Linens N Love, a youth-powered nonprofit that collects gently-used hotel linens and repurposes them to shelters and charities in need. As a journalist by day and computer scientist by night, she views storytelling as a way to bring communities together and raise awareness of social issues. Vivian’s work has been recognized by PEOPLE Magazine, Forbes, The Kelly Clarkson Show, PBS, and more (website linked).