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. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

North Broward Preparatory School
7600 Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek
Coconut Creek, Florida, 33073
United States

Ayel Morgenstern

Ayel Morgenstern is an old soul, 11 year old who is making a difference in the world. Ayel’s story went viral when she was just 6 years old when she painted Mitzvah rocks for vandalized Jewish cemeteries. Since then she has remained in the media, changing the world one project at a time. From Keppy Bands for the healthcare workers during the pandemic to Sunny Seats which first began to honor the innocent lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas which can now be found in schools, libraries, a local Whole Foods and Ronald McDonald Houses, Ayel is clearly on a mission to make a difference in the world. Ayel dreams of ideas and then brings those ideas to life all while using art to make connections. She believes, “Kindess is a wave that never stops, an echo that never ends and a light that never ends. Kindness and love always wins.” Outside of school, Ayel is a dedicated and passionate competitive dancer who, again, uses art as a form of expression and making connections with others.

Edoardo Panella

From the two big universes of math and music, Edoardo Panella is a 17 year old student from Italy who loves to learn and never gets tired of it. He started his musical journey in elementary school by learning how to play the piano and then moved to other instruments like guitar, drums and bass. During his childhood and teenage years, the passion and the knowledge acquired made it possible for him to express himself through the language of music and be able to be active in his hometown’s musical scene by founding an alternative/indie rock band called Vanilla Boulevard. While spending his weekends rehearsing with his band and performing gigs around town, he also cultivated a big interest for math by diving into advanced courses online and being a passionate learner throughout his highschool career. Edoardo is considering embarking upon a scientific path in college and his aim is to show the world how musical the study of mathematics can be, and how mathematical the features of musical language can be.

Gabrielle Cammarata

Gabrielle Cammarata is a current high-school sophomore at North Broward Preparatory School. As a result of her brother's severe autism and epilepsy, she has been a vocal member in the disability community. Throughout her youth, she has participated in many disability sibling groups, gaining insight into the lives of those encountering similar events as her. With her focus on strengthening the community of those with disabled siblings, as well as bringing awareness to autism spectrum disorder, Gabrielle has spoken to a wide variety of audiences about her specific experiences. Recently taking up a passion for chess, she has become an avid member of the Fort Lauderdale Chess Club and her school's chess club, playing games weekly against a wide variety of skill levels. Gabrielle hopes to use the determination learned from her brother for her passion of computer science and STEM related fields.

Jasmine Iacullo

Jasmine is a 16 year old sophomore, and it is her second year at North Broward Preparatory school. She is an accomplished performer and prominent member of the fine arts academy. Jasmine has been performing since age 4, and currently spends up to 8 hours a day rehearsing her singing, dancing, and acting. She enjoys bringing characters to life, and hopes to do the same with her ideas surrounding connection. She is passionate about connecting with others from the stage, and is happy to connect with you!

Jason O'Connor

Jason O'Connor teaches social science classes at North Broward Preparatory School

Julianna Vollaro

Julianna (Jules) Vollaro is a ninth-grade student attendee at North Broward Preparatory School. She was a new incoming freshman at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year from American Heritage (Boca Delray) School. During her 7th grade year at Heritage, Julianna faced the loss of her father in January of 2020. In her following eighth grade year, she was challenged with low self-esteem, anxiety, poor body image views, clinical depression, and self-harm. Not only did Julianna face the bully within herself, but the bullying of others as well. She went through physical and verbal abuse for around half of her eighth-grade year to the point where she needed to change. Now on the road of recovery, Julianna finds herself on stage today to bring to light her story; so others do not think they are alone as she once did.

Lena Kalandjian

Lena Kalandjian is an Armenian-American student with a passion for fostering safe, inclusive, and anti-violent communities. By co-founding her school’s Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Club, Lena has led violence prevention and diversity education workshops across her community that impact over 1,500 students annually. Lena serves on the Sandy Hook Promise National Youth Advisory Board where she works to design curricula, call-to-action programs, and mental health resources to support students in preventing violence across the United States. In addition to having worked with the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team and TIME Magazine, Lena has also co-organized a webinar through the National Center for School Safety at the University of Michigan to teach educators and professionals about the effects of social media on youth. At her high school, Lena is Executive President of Student Government, Concertmaster of the orchestra, and a Varsity Track & Field and Basketball athlete.

Logan Lalinde

Logan was a seven year old second grader at the time of the Ted-EX talk. He has been skateboarding for over two years competitively in Florida and California. Logan has used skateboarding as a tool to be creative, work hard, and create relationships. It is 2023 and he is now a third grader and recently competed in California Amateur Skate League National Championship. His Instagram is @logan_shogun. Logan will continue to use skateboarding as a doorway or bridge to new opportunities. In this TED-EX talk he would like to introduce you to skateboarding and some of the reasons that it is a great outdoor activity.

Ruyi (Alice) Zhen

Ruyi (Alice) Zhen is a sophomore at North Broward Preparatory school in Florida. Originally from China, she’s been studying in the US for three years. As an art academy student and visual artist, nature inspires her art and techniques. She is currently working on her portfolio which includes myths about nature and some religious elements. Last summer she worked on Agroforestry with a professor in Hawaii, which made her rethink the relationship between humans and nature. She wants to be a tech designer and an artist in the future.

Vincenzo Greco

Mr. Greco has been a teacher and coach for 12 years. He is passionate about pedagogy and even more so about cultivating relationships with his students and colleagues. Vincenzo coaches football, basketball, and is chair of the social sciences department at North Broward Preparatory School. He absolutely adores coming to school each and every day.