Theme: The Faces of Change

For the first time ever, South Hills High School will be hosting its own TEDx event on campus! The program entitled, "The Faces of Change", revolves around the different facets and phases of change itself, and bringing the sense of change to life by drawing from local voices who are actively involved in creating change in their community, or have gone through significant changes of their own. Attendees can expect a night with several guest speakers, musical performances, and a variety of TED and TEDx talks that aim to inspire and enthrall. TEDxSouthHillsHighSchool aims to bring the force of change to life through the deep and intimate setting of a TEDx event.

645 South Barranca Street
West Covina, California, 91791
United States

Danny Woo

Educator

Danny Woo is a middle school science teacher at San Jose Charter Academy in West Covina, California. At the age of seven, Danny took his first step toward pursuing a career in education when he wrote in his daily journal that he wanted to be a teacher when he grew up. Danny earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and went on to earn his Masters degree in the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. After being profoundly changed by a year teaching in South Central LA, Danny now strives to promote a classroom environment that promotes individualism and cooperation between students. He seeks to enable students to achieve their fullest potential in the face of social, economic, and/or political factors that often hinder a child's pursuit of education. Danny is also a prolific social justice advocate, often speaking out against social injustice and inequality through social media platforms.

James Toma

Mayor Pro Tem

James Toma was recently elected mayor of West Covina, California. Growing up, James attended seven public schools and did not plan to pursue college until late in his high school career. Despite some setbacks, James was accepted into Yale University where he received a bachelor's degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics; James went on to receive a master's degree in public policy from UC Berkeley, and later, his degree in law. James is actively involved in several organizations in his community including the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and has served as President of the Friends of the West Covina Library and the Japanese American Bar association. James has also volunteered at food banks and toy drives, and raised money for Alzheimer's research and the Asian Pacific Legal Center. On the side, James is very passionate about martial arts, holding a black belt in taekwondo and a brown belt in karate.

Rosalyn Kahn

Educator

Rosalyn Kahn is a public speaking instructor at Santa Monica College and Los Angeles City College. Ms. Kahn has spent the last 18 years as an educator teaching public speaking and English as a second language in colleges and high schools all throughout Southern California. She attended her first TEDx conference in Pasadena, immediately captivated by the idea and community behind TEDx. Ms. Kahn has spoken internationally in cities including Leuven and Rome, as well as various TEDx events. She also holds significant experience in coaching many speakers, some of which have gone on to speak at various TEDx conferences. Ms. Kahn battled scoliosis as a teenager and her experiences with the condition have significantly shaped who she is today. She is extremely passionate about anti-bullying, believing that a little bit of empathy and understanding can go long ways in supporting those with debilitating conditions.

Steffany Ayala

Entrepreneur

Steffany Ayala is a young entrepreneur. She's originally from El Salvador, and has been living in the United States for almost 17 years. She earned her BA in International Business, with a minor in Anthropology from Vanguard Univerisity. After graduating with her BA, she decided to earn her Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Management at Hope International University. She has been working with Non-Profit for almost 6 six years and has earned a lot of her experience through the development of Business and Accounting. One of her passions is to make a difference in the lives of those in needs. She currently open her own bookkeeping firm, and is serving the city of Los Angeles and International Non-Profits.