Inaugural TEDxYouth@UrsulineAcademy embraces ‘Pioneers & Poets’

Rhianon Husmann was granted the TEDxYouth@UrsulineAcademy license in February, for a multi-school, youth-focused collection of talks about everything from social issues and technology to the art of the spoken word. The event is aptly titled “Pioneers & Poets.”

On Sunday, May 20 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the diverse, carefully selected lineup of speakers will take the stage for 5–15 minute talks, sorted into three 90-minute sessions.

“Today, young people are growing up in a world where the definitions of who we are, where we live and how we get things done seem to adjust and expand every day,” said Husmann.  “It’s an exciting time, but can also be a confusing one. This is an incredible opportunity for us to collectively ask ourselves where we are today and where we want to be tomorrow. Wilmington is a prism of possibility — a creative community where people intersect and a radiant vision of opportunity is unlocked.”

The speakers include students from eight area schools, some of whom are TeenSHARP participants, as well as activists, influencers and founders from as far away as Kenya:

• Joyce Short, Author & Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
• Chidi Wosu, Scrum-Master for Payments Technology, JPMorgan Chase
• Abbey Sager, Founder & Executive Director, Diverse Gaming Coalition
• Justin Shaifer, Executive Director, Fascinate Inc.
• Erin Pudlo, Middle School Teacher, Ursuline Academy
• Cyntiche Deba, 11th Grade Student, Alexis I. duPont High School
• Auriela Garcia, 11th Grade Student, Concord High School
• Alex Sharpe, 11th Grade Student, Appoquinimink High School
• Abigail Wilson-Kageni, 10th Grade Student, The Circle School
• Shanea Higgin, 10th Grade Student, Charter School of Wilmington
• Joshua Gunter, 11th Grade Student, William Penn High School
• Annabel Gioffre, 11th Grade Student, Ursuline Academy
• Alondra Posada, 11th Grade Student, Ursuline Academy
• Joseph McKee, 11th Grade Student, St. Elizabeth’s High School
• Mia Gifford, 10th Grade Student, Ursuline Academy
• Lilly Ridgely, 11th Grade Student, Ursuline Academy
• Dorcas Ntindai, Secretary of Inkiramat oo Imirisigyio Women Livestock Keepers 
• Joseph Larasha, Maasai Elder from Kenya and Cofounder of Water is Life

Tickets are from $20 (student) to $50 (VIP), with lunch included.