Conference empowers students to take control of their education

Student Equity Action Network of Palo Alto High School brought the spirit of TED conferences to students and attendees in the Bay Area on Nov. 20 by participating in one of over 50 TEDxYouth conferences taking place around globe on that day in celebration of Universal Children’s Day.

Technology Education Design is a non-profit organization that shares “Ideas Worth Spreading” via its free online videos of talks from professionals and passionate individuals in a wide array of fields. TEDx events are independently organized and have no affiliation to the actual organization.

At the Palo Alto Law Offices of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PAHS junior and SEAN president Tremaine Kirkman commenced the TEDxYouthPaloAlto conference. Fourteen speakers, ranging from the first female African American Superior Court judge, LaDoris Cordell, to former Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton, spoke at the conference each for 10 to 15 minutes. Burton and his sister, PAHS teacher Letitia Burton, spoke of their mother‘s persistence for a good education which he did not take for granted.

“To whom much is given, much is expected,” LeVar Burton said.

Attendees were informed of how California invests the least amount of money per a student compared to any other state. Despite the disadvantage California students may have, Judge Cordell reminded the audience that they must take their education into their own hands.

“You have two ends. One to sit on and one to think on. Which will you use?” Cordell said.

Though all 100 spots were taken online, not everyone who signed up attended, making for a more intimate experience with the speakers.

Junior Tiffany Wu heard about the event through School Loop and decided to sign up to attend with a friend.

“It’s not what I expected it to be” Wu said. “I learned that there was a difference between an education and a quality education.”

To the event chair, Kirkman, the event had more meaning to him as his cousin dropped out of high school. For Kirkman, this was his way of making a difference.

“The turnout was great and we had amazing speakers despite some technical difficulties,” Kirkman said.

Kirkman plans to use the momentum to promote SEAN and its purpose of equal college readiness for all throughout the community.