Theme: Fork in the Road

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…which one will you take? Each and every moment in your life brings about a “fork in the road,” where you must ask yourself: where am I headed? At some forks, your path has been charted before you even reach it: to spend a few more minutes in bed and earn a late or yield to the angry sound of your alarm? The choice is simple. Some forks are more daunting, more consequential than others: one misstep can cost the collapse of a civilization. Regardless, the choices we make every day move society forward. Be a lifelong adventurer, and never stop seeking new “forks.”

Getz Auditorium
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, Connecticut, 06492
United States

Camila Granda

Student

Camila Granda lives in Hamden, Connecticut, and was raised on Peru’s coast. She immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of nine, and since, has found joy in meeting people from all types of diverse backgrounds. In the classroom, Camila loves learning about psychology, history, literature, and politics. In the fall of 2023, Camila studied abroad in Toulouse, France to further her studies in French culture and language. In the afternoons and free time, she dives into her musical side through vocal coaching, chamber choir, theater, and guitar lessons. She also finds excitement in tutoring a Ukrainian refugee in English through the ENGin program. Through her summer academic endeavors, Camila engaged in conversation with peers about epigenetics, anthropology, and social darwinism, inspiring her to give a TED talk. In her talk, she hopes to offer a complete research as the basis for a new way of thinking about a pseudoscientific idea founded upon racist values.

Chelsea Branch

Student

Chelsea Branch is a driven sophomore hailing from Lopatcong, New Jersey. She has always had a diverse range of passions, including listening to and making music, writing, mental health, and psychology. At Choate, she has immersed herself in a variety of extracurricular activities, including being an active member of the acapella singing group, Whimawehs, and participating in discussion-based clubs and theater productions. Academically, she has a strong interest in the humanities, particularly English and French. Chelsea has a deep commitment to helping others who struggle with maintaining mental wellness. She has struggled with anxiety over preparing for the future but has found ways to feel secure and balanced in doing so. In her talk, she hopes to share her experiences and tips with others dealing with similar uncertainties. She believes that by opening up about her own journey, she can offer guidance and support to those who may be feeling lost or overwhelmed.

Ethan Sun

Student

Ethan Sun is a third former who sometimes has trouble falling asleep. Finally tired of laying on his bed, he decided to get up, and use the power of the scientific method combined with his passion for science to research how to improve his sleep. Harnessing the magic of the internet, he found out about the placebo effect, which he believes students can implement into their lives to alleviate stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights. While he isn’t vigorously researching placebos, Ethan takes a plunge in the Larry Hart pool, playing for the water polo team at Choate and swimming. He also makes the long walk to Colony Hall to play clarinet for the wind ensemble. With the time he has left, he enjoys reading about the human brain and doing research to attend the local science fair.

Francesca Howard

Student

Francesca Howard, a native New Yorker and fourth former has a variety of interests including politics, philosophy, literature, and gender studies. She shines in her English and history classes and is involved in a wide array of activities, from philosophy club and the debate team to Choate for Women and the Choate News. When she’s not in class, Francesca can be found on the squash courts, doing photography around campus, or in her dorm with a good book. A student, a a tutor, an athlete, and an artist, she’s no stranger to the pressures of a demanding environment like Choate’s. Her TEDx speech addresses the pitfalls of excessive ambition and celebrates the value of embracing life’s uncertainties.

Grace Yoon

Student

Hailing from Cresskill, New Jersey, Grace Yoon is a multi-talented third former. An artist, Grace is familiar with many mediums and holds a strong interest in the written and musical arts. Currently, she is exploring these realms through slam poetry and the bassoon, a dedication that has led her to study at Juilliard Pre-College. Grace’s journey in the world of TED started a few years ago, when she had the opportunity to give a Ted-ED talk in middle school. Grace recalls this experience fondly, citing it as her motivation to return to the stage for Choate Rosemary Hall’s 2023 TEDx event. In her eyes, there is nothing like the freedom that TED offers to convert one's ideas into performance. Whether on or off the stage, Grace is a dedicated performer who seeks to understand the depths of the craft.

Lauren Kee

Student

Lauren Kee is a junior from Hong Kong. At Choate, she is heavily involved in the performing arts. She began dancing ballet when she was three, but has since branched out to modern dance and jazz as well. She is the principal percussionist in the Choate Symphony Orchestra and choreographer for Dance Company. Lauren merged her passions in writing and the arts by becoming the Arts and Leisure section editor of The Choate News last year. This year, she is excited to lead the publication as the Editor-in-Chief. She is also the President of Chinese Club, a member of Christian Fellowship, a Gold Key tour guide, and an International Student Mentor. In her free time, Lauren likes to challenge her friends and family to a fun game of mahjong. Growing up in a biliterate and trilingual society has sparked her interest in linguistics, sociology, and anthropology. Her speech combines these fields with psychology and education.

Sophia Liao

Student

Sophia Liao is a 5th form from Acton, Massachusetts. She was inspired to do TEDX since she grew up listening to TED talks and was always amazed by how the talk-givers were able to condense such large and abstract concepts and stories into short digestible talks that were easy for anyone to understand. She also felt inspired by the positivity and support that the crowds reacted with, and it made her feel brave enough to share her voice and her stories with others too. After taking an Introduction to Sociology course earlier this year, she became fascinated with people and their interactions with society. The work she has done in sociology has pushed her to be more reflective of her own life and how she is shaped by the world and the people around her, which is where she was inspired to give her first TEDx talk.

Suleika Sandi

Student

Suleika Sandi is a 4th former from Staten Island, New Jersey. She has a passion for public speaking and was in Choate’s 2023 production of “Puffs” and Choate’s 2024 production of “Anon(ymous)”. She is also an active member of the Choate Debate Team and enjoys listening to and creating music and art using different mediums. Ever since she discovered TED, she has appreciated the platform for its ability to turn small thoughts into a large riveting speech that can be performed in front of a large group of people. This passion for speaking and sharing ideas has driven her to become a TEDx speaker. With her talk, she aims to examine the ways everyone’s past and present experiences are connected and hopes to show how empathy can prevent a detrimental future.

Syna Mathod

Student

Syna Mathod is a 4th former from Seattle, WA. Born to first-generation immigrants in the Bay Area, she has also spent four years of her childhood in India. Passionate about musical theater and singing, Syna has been involved in various Choate productions and the a cappella group Melatones. She is also interested in Math and Computer Science and is a member of a wide range of STEM-related clubs. Currently, Syna is a Gold Key Ambassador, working to introduce prospective students and families to Choate. Her experience moving across countries during her childhood gave her empathy towards those with similar backgrounds, and she has recently been tutoring Afghan refugees in reading and math. Her work in helping others adjust to American culture has inspired her to raise awareness and speak up about issues that new immigrants face. She hopes that her talk could be a call to action for society to become more inclusive and open-minded towards those from diverse backgrounds.

Zaki Shamsi

Student

Zaki Shamsi is a student at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford CT. He is 15 years old and lives in Glastonbury CT. Zaki has a strong academic interest in Politics, Philosophy, Religion, and Social Sciences. In 2022, Zaki received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. Outside of the classroom, Zaki is an avid debater, and he enjoys public speaking. He serves on Choate’s Student Council as a day student representative for the classes of 2025 and 2026. Furthermore, Zaki enjoys writing and is a member of The Choate News’ Business and Marketing Team. He is extremely passionate about his TED talk and is very excited to share it with the world!