In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. TEDxLSCTomball's 2015 theme is Ready . . . Set . . . Grow!
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Anne Ginnett
Anne wants to live in a world where all people are recognized for their inherent value. As the Director of Lone Star’s new OLS® (Occupational & Life Skills) associate degree for adults with cognitive disabilities, Anne is able to turn her dream of that kind of world into reality, one student at a time. When she is not at work, you can find her enjoying the outdoors, walking, jogging, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her latest project is learning to play tennis. She spends evenings and weekends hanging out at the courts with a bag full of tennis balls, serving to invisible players on the other side of the net.Brandon Lowery
Brandon is a nerd…and that’s not a bad thing. His passion lies in teaching Biology and Environmental Science at Lone Star College-Tomball, hoping to inspire his science students. He spends too much of his time reading science and news articles, dreaming of all the DIY projects he should do in the future, and on weekends, playing video games and teaching his son archery. Brandon is also a closet prepper. He has given talks at the Gulf Coast MENSA Society and been interviewed by MTV news about zombie survival. He runs a Tumblr blog dedicated to survival and zombies, writes for the online magazine, The Zombie-Guide Magazine, and is working on the second edition of his zombie survival book.Chandra Shaw
Chandra Shaw has more than 16 years of experience in Education, as a teacher, instructional specialist, and now an ELAR Education Consultant with Region 10 ESC in Richardson, TX. As a teacher, her friends described her as a person who, “….accomplishes the impossible with her students,” so it should come as no surprise that Chandra wants to live in a world where everyone has the opportunity to accomplish their impossible dreams. Presenting a TED talk has been a dream of hers, holding steady at # 3 on her “bucket list,” for some time now.Charles Kivlehen
Charles Kivlehen is driven. He is passionate, motivated, and dedicated, he is also quite short. The two most important things in his life are his family, and his education. Also Coffee, wait that’s three things…D. Ivan Young
There are many words that describe Dr. D Ivan Young, but here are the few that I chose – discerning, enlightened, a spiritual teacher and sagacious philosopher. Seldom does someone possess the ability to connect, at a core level, to impact so many different and varying people. His witty insight into how, and moreover why, people do the things they do is astonishing. Having known Dr. Young for a few years, never have I seen him at a loss for words or searching for an answer. His compassion, his love, and his authentic way of communicating to us exactly what we need to hear and when we need to hear it has profoundly changed my life, and the lives of everyone I’ve witnessed him come in contact with.Danny Harvey
Danny is humble and hungry. He is dynamic, passionate, hardworking, and giving. His wife says he is all over the place but knows he is strategic. He is an adviser, volunteer, and mentor who cares. His students think his favorite words are “stay with me”. His two young sons think his favorite words are “don’t act on emotion, think”.Dhaval Patel
Dr. Dhaval Patel is passionate about helping people, especially in developing communities, where he is working to create a world of sustainable human impact. At the core, he is a thinker, innovator, and risk-taker and has spent the past decades in over 70 countries with Madagascar being one his favorite destinations. Outside of being a Co-Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of iMPOWER Humanity, he is an avid fan of opera, a culinary enthusiast in the kitchen, and a lover of fine espresso. Dhaval’s friends say he is an explorer by nature, so recently his wife of 15 years, his 11-year old son, and he went on a riveting white water trip in the mountains. Although he speaks multiple languages, he failed miserably at learning French.Durell Forte
Durell Forte plans to continue to empower the people around him through his writing. Other than writing you can find him zoning out to music and getting lost in the tempo on a verity of bass drums. He is a brother of 2 older sisters, 1 younger brother and many play brothers and sisters. After realizing and accepting the fact that his growth spurt has decided to take an extended vacation, he decided to use his talents in other areas. Learn more about Durell on Facebook, Instagram, at Twitter.Holly Savoie
Holly Savoie is a student in The Honor’s College at Lone Star Tomball. She enjoys long walks to the fridge to meet her true love: hummus with pita chips. When she’s not doing homework, babysitting, or watching Netflix, you can find her in her room trying to master all of her favorite songs on her guitar and ukulele. Her favorite band is “Walk the Moon,” but when she’s singing loudly (performing) in the car, she likes to pretend that she’s Tori Kelly’s backup singer. Holly’s favorite quote comes from Robin Williams’ character in the 1989 film, “Dead Poets Society.” “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”Janie Filoteo
Janie Filoteo is an avid watcher of TV. If you name a TV show, she probably watches it and if she doesn’t she probably knows what various pop culture blogs are saying about it. When she’s not overworking her DVR, you can find her watching baby animal videos and trying to figure out a way to incorporate all this pop culture into her sociology courses. Before she dies, she would love to open her own animal rescue. In the meantime, she volunteers with a local animal shelter less often than she would like.Jason Arcemont
Jason Arcemont is the culmination of self-driven will power and never ending grit to get things done. Action-minded, Jason never lets down on his pursuit of what he’s committed to accomplishing. With a clear vision, determined focus and consistent growth, he sets seemingly impossible goals and turns them into possible and achieved realities. He is passionate, unusually positive and tuned to people and their needs. The media has called him the “Texas Marathon Man”. His employees call him a genuinely strong and humble leader. His clients call him a remarkable business strategist. And his four kids just call him “Dad”. Inspiration lives within us all, and Jason is a prime example of someone that takes that very passion stirring inside and focuses it through action-driven challenges and selfless service to others.Latoya Lewis
Latoya Lewis has been a teacher since 2004. From 2004 - 2011, she taught all levels of high school English in Title 1 schools, or schools where there is a high percentage of children from low income families. She began teaching in the Developmental English department at Lone Star College-Tomball in 2008 and now leads the Associate of Arts in Teaching Program, where she is preparing future teachers to change the landscape of education.Lisa Morales
Lisa Morales has worked in higher education over the past nineteen years in various capacities, teaching courses in music, economics, and history. She is currently the Music Program Coordinator and music faculty at Lone Star College-Tomball. Lisa’s oldest son, Sam (8), says: “My mom teaches music – she likes to sing and play the piano. We have fun making up songs in the car!” Lisa’s youngest son, Collin (6), says: “I like to bake, read, and watch movies with my mom!”Madeleine McQuilling
As a full time honors student and aspiring artist and writer, Madeleine visualizes a world of people respectfully sharing their intelligence and creativity. She has been invited to present her research on comic books such as Alan Moore’s Batman the Killing Joke,and Mat Johnson’s Incognegro and Dark Rain at local and regional undergraduate research conferences. In addition, Madeleine sells paintings of pets and dragons. When she’s not amusing the cats, she can be found watching Netflix and reading books. Some of her favorite shows are Xena and Charlie’s Angels, and favorite books are Odyssey, The Time Quintet and the comic book series Birds of Prey.Melissa Studdard
Melissa Studdard is brilliance and romance in a dress. She’s intelligence and sass in the classroom. Her poetry is contemporary philosophy in motion. She’s a poet-teacher-mother, yes all at once, because each facet shapes her approach to just about any task she takes on—and she does it all with grace.Michael Davis
My name is Madison(9yrs) and I want to tell you about my dad. He is nice, love’s football and I like it when he buys me things. My name is Michael(4yrs) and my dad and I have the same name. My dad plays the drums and guitar with me and it is fun. My name is Morgan(3yrs) and my dad and I sing together. My name is Laquana Davis and my husband is super intelligent. He is like the energizer bunny always running around and involved in a lot. He has all the traits of every guy especially their tunnel vision. He is like an abstract piece of art, well organized chaos, but I love him anyway. He is a great husband and father and prefers only my meat loaf.Patrick Barton
“Slow down” “That’s not possible” “Try to be a little quieter” Well, actually, Patrick knows what they mean, but he does have a lot of problems following them. Those who know him will tell you that this the quality that most defines him. For Patrick, sitting still and accepting the status quo are the first step on the road to stagnation. His passions include the theater (both as an audience member and actor), laughing (both as the laugher and the laughee), and education (both as the student and the teacher). Patrick wants you to know that, you can change the future – and that the only way to do it is to take a chance.Peter Maeck
Peter Maeck’s stage plays and dance scenarios, including for Pilobolus and MOMIX Dance Theatres, have been produced in New York City, Europe, and Africa. Peter served as a U.S. State Department Cultural Specialist in Tanzania and Morocco. He has created sales and management training programs for corporations worldwide. He is also a photographer whose award-winning pictures have been shown in galleries in New York City, Los Angeles, and other American cities, as well as internationally.Rhiannon Donaldson
Rhiannon Donaldson is a super hero. Only a super hero could live on so little sleep. She is a mother, employee, and a college student. No one really knows where she gets her powers, but we suspect it may be her faith. When Rhiannon is not frantically studying, she’s helping her daughter with homework; so yeah- she is still frantically studying. She loves books and hoards academic journals. In addition to education, Rhiannon has dedicated her life to the betterment of her community and volunteers any extra time she has to helping others. Her motto is “Do it afraid” and she never allows circumstances to hold her back. Look out- it’s a bird, it’s a plane . . . no . . . its Rhiannon Donaldson! She is soaring above life as she is achieving her dreams.Rodney White
Rod “The Storyteller” White wants to live a world where he can surround himself with people that know the value of strong relationships; and even in the face of adversity are able to maintain a positive mental attitude. As a Communications Coach He has been featured on several blog radio programs such as Small Business Today Magazine; Radio Show, Tools Tips and Technologies; Podcast and he has been the featured speaker for several groups, companies. When he’s not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find him in the gym! He loves to work out in the name of fitness. Recently he participated in his first physique building contest and came in 3rd in his division!Sean Tiffee
Sean is a voracious reader and estimates that he reads more than five hours a day. He has a PhD in Rhetoric and Langage from the University of Texas. He has taught Communication Studies courses at the University of Texas, Texas State University, and Austin Community College. He currently teaches at Lone Star College - Tomball.Organizing team
