TEDxGoshen

Empowering Ideas, Building Change

I believe that regular people are the primary architects of social change. This philosophy took root in my 12th-grade Participation in Government class, where I challenged students to launch "Civic Action Projects." I have been consistently moved by their ability to disrupt the status quo; whether by petitioning for safer speed limits, raising critical funds for suicide prevention through our community "Powder Puff" games, or supporting victims of domestic violence. These aren't just assignments; they are "next practices" in action, where students move from being consumers of information to facilitators of community impact.

In 2017, this mission found a kindred spirit in my colleague, Eric Harris. For years, Eric had been cultivating "Sophomore Talks" to give 10th-graders a platform for their "ideas worth spreading." Recognizing that our students' voices deserved a global stage, we leveraged our relational equity within the Goshen community to launch TEDxGoshen in 2018.

What began as a vision to elevate student voices has grown into a cornerstone of our community's identity. From our inaugural "Gladiator Grit" event to the "Fountain of Truth" and our most recent "Brick by Brick" series, TEDxGoshen serves as a force multiplier for authentic storytelling. We have featured a diverse array of voices from local musical artists like Dylan Owen and community leaders to students sharing deeply personal insights on everything from decision-making to the stigma of substance abuse.

Today, TEDxGoshen remains a platform where we empower our community to speak to an authentic audience with a global impact. I invite you to explore the talks and join us in building a future where every voice has the power to change the way we see the world.

Explore the Talks at TEDxGoshen.com