On Sunday, March 22, students and adults alike gathered at St. Nicholas Hall for an afternoon of thought-provoking insight and creative expression. Seated in the crowded theater, the audience’s chatter quieted as the lights dimmed and the sound of a ticking clock drew attention to the stage. That afternoon was one of over 4,000 annual TEDx events, independently run events designed to give a platform for “ideas worth sharing” and spark conversation in global and local dimensions. Organized by Siddhi T. ’27, Vivian T. ’27, Sophia Z. ’27, and master of ceremonies Owen X. ’26, it brought together members of the Lakeside community to watch nine speeches and two creative performances by Lakeside Upper School students. Each component, though widely varied, was united under the theme “The Power of Now.” 

The stage was outfitted simply with a circular red carpet, painted red block letters which spelled out “TEDx,” and a TV for each presenter’s slides. Touchingly, tucked in the corner was a bookshelf, with a small memento representing each speech. 

A Batman figurine called back to a speech by Matt K. ’26 which addressed the impact of online glorifications of loneliness on our collective perception of being alone. Pausing in the middle of his talk to allow members of the audience to introduce themselves to one another, Matt explored how the emotional ramifications of loneliness can have impacts on not only mental, but physical health. 

A small crochet animal named Quertle served as a reminder to not hold oneself to unrealistic standards, an idea explored by Mireya W. ’29 in her talk. 

A miniature turkey stood in for a real turkey named Frank, a friend Sienna O. ’27 reflected on during her speech on animal cruelty. 

A laptop stood in for a talk by Kellen H. ’26 about AI safety. He explained in depth how AI has begun to recognize safety screenings, making it impossible for developers to accurately predict which models are ready to be released. 

Meanwhile, a miniature ceramic house recalled the affordable housing crisis which Alex L. ’27 addressed in his talk. A small flag symbolized a discussion of the power of symbols by Lakeside’s premier vexillologist Deniz I. ’28. He introduced a flag from popular anime One Piece and analyzed the real-world uses of this fictional symbol.

A Glassybaby represented a deeply moving speech by Simone T. ’26 about her experience with grief. Exploring grief as a form of “overflowing love,” she spoke of loss openly, as a shared human experience. Watching her speak so vulnerably was inspiring, making me, and likely many others, feel less alone as I looked back on loss in my own life. It empowered me to reconsider how I viewed grief, not as something that should be hidden but as something shared, meaningful, and even valuable. 

Adi D. ’27 gave a speech about the benefit of being immersed in his passion, rather than trying to be “well-rounded,” which was symbolized by a science flask. 

Lastly a computer mouse connected to a speech in which, fitting with themes of the present moment, Dilara Y. ’28 argued teenagers are uniquely poised to make a difference. She challenged listeners to follow their dreams right away, rather than waiting to grow up or be given permission. In stark contrast to the comparison culture often applied to accomplishment, she emphasized that one doesn’t need a prestigious internship to do research, nor a diploma from a high-ranking university to pursue writing, but that starting small can often lead to success and growth. 

Also featured were a lively performance by Lakeside Jazz Club, made up of Millan K. ’28, Aadi M. ’28, Remy L. ’27, Stella J.T. ’28, Hugo F. ’29, and Wilson P. ’27, which emphasized the spontaneity of jazz in connection with the theme of living in the moment; and a stunning dance performance by Lucia H. ’29, where she explored themes of freedom and its many forms. 

The night ranged from motivational to emotional, informative to artistic. It brought the Lakeside community together. It left me, and so many others, with a new perspective on myself, my future, and my peers. I was amazed by the dedication of each speaker and performer and genuinely left with not only a new outlook, but concrete steps and wisdom I’ll bring with me moving forward. This event could be described as a masterclass in public speaking, an exhibition of the talent of Lakeside students, or a demonstration of how a small idea can turn into tangible change. But perhaps the best description is the message it left behind: to live in the present, take opportunities as they come, and embrace “the power of now.”