Menlo’s annual student-led TEDx event took place in the Spieker Center on Saturday, Sept. 27. The event’s theme, Beyond the Frame, centered around a variety of current issues, like youth incarceration, medical funding and the importance of living a balanced life. 

In total, the speeches lasted two hours and featured five unique speakers, the majority of whom were affiliated with Menlo. Seniors Ariya Kaushek and Kinsey Nam kicked off the event with MindBridge, an organization that provides accessible and life-changing cognitive behavioral therapy to youth in need. Next, founder of the Youth Charter Initiative and Stanford student Nathaniel Wong explored the possibility of mobilizing young voices for social change. Menlo’s Assistant Director of Sports Performance Cole Marmor followed, focusing on self-actualization through the unique perspective of building a balanced plate. The event wrapped with Chase Edwards, another senior at Menlo, who shared a personal story of his experience with Type 1 Diabetes. 

Students earned 2 CE credits for attending the event. “I feel very inspired,” Menlo sophomore parent Jing Li said. “The speakers were very brave. It takes a lot of courage to go on stage and bring about change.”