What can dogs teach us about living a fulfilled life? In this heartfelt talk, Faith explores the lessons we can learn from our canine companions about joy, loyalty, and presence. Drawing from her own experiences and love for her dog, she reflects on simple ways to find happiness in everyday moments. Her talk invites us to reconnect with the qualities that bring meaning and fulfillment to our lives. Faith is a senior in her fourth year at Saddle River Day. After giving her first TEDx talk about ethics and genetic editing technology, she is excited to give her second talk on the lessons we can learn from dogs about how to live more fulfilled lives. Outside of school, Faith enjoys playing basketball, reading, spending time with her friends and family, and of course, playing with her dog. She is so grateful to be working with her amazing faculty mentor, Ms. Kim. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What shapes us during life’s toughest moments? Jeslyn Savage dives into the power of unity, resilience, and the support systems that guide us through challenges. Drawing from her journey in criminal law and her time at SRDS, she highlights how strong connections and perseverance can transform adversity into growth. Her talk encourages us to embrace community and collective strength as vital sources of hope and empowerment. Jeslyn Savage is a junior at Rutgers University, where she is majoring in History with a minor in American Studies, pursuing a future career in criminal law. Before Rutgers, Jeslyn attended SRDS for five years, where she delivered two TEDx Talks, one on what it means to truly be empathetic and another on why you should always follow your dreams. Beyond academics, Jeslyn has actively sought opportunities to gain legal experience, including internships and shadowing experiences in the field of criminal justice. Now taking the TED stage once again, Jeslyn will discuss the power of unity, resilience, and the support systems that shape us. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

How much of who we are is shaped by where we come from? In her talk Bridging Generations, Josephine explores the powerful role family history plays in shaping identity and perspective. Through personal stories and reflection, she highlights the importance of connecting with the past to better understand ourselves. Her message reminds us that the threads of heritage can inspire purpose, belonging, and growth. Josephine is a junior thrilled to be giving her fourth TEDx Talk at SRDS. She has a passion for chemistry, art, sustainability and public speaking. In her talk “Bridging Generations” she will share her experience learning about her own family history and how it has shaped her identity. She would like to thank her faculty mentors, Ms. Baro and Ms. Hollis, for their mentorship and thoughtful guidance. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Frederick Lalu was a Youth Speaker at TEDxEspoo Youth 2025!What does it really mean to belong? In this TEDx Talk, Frederick Lalu takes the audience on a journey through his own experience trying to find his place in a new country. It is a story about complexities of fighting in, societal expectations, and understanding the struggle to belong is something we all experience - no matter where we come from or where we end up.The Talk starts off with Frederick’s reflection on the small yet uncomfortable moments when we feel like we don't belong, like walking into the wrong classroom or feeling like an outsider. For Frederick, this feeling of “not belonging” grew even stronger when he moved to Finland, they faced a whole new set of challenges, from language barriers to cultural differences. Despite the effort he put in - learning the language, paying taxes, and following all the social rules - the feeling of being an “outsider” remained.This Talk is about the universal human experience of wanting to be seen, accepted, and included. Frederick shares his struggles with fitting in, from mimicking local behaviors to joining different groups in an attempt to find “his people”. But he soon came to the realization that it is not about erasing who you are to fit a mold - it is about finding spaces that allow you to bring your differences, your true self, and still feel valued Fitting in is not just about trying harder or changing yourself - it requires others to meet you halfway. Whether it's a society as a whole or a small group of friends, belonging requires more than just effort from one side. This is about something that touches all of us at different points in our lives.Frederick encourages all of us to look at our biases, recognize the invisible lines that divide us, and choose to make space for difference. In a world where it is easy to judge based on appearances or preconceived notions, the talk reminds us that fitting in should never mean disappearing, and true belonging takes effort from everyone involved.At the end of Frederick’s Talks he says: “We will all never fit perfectly in a group. And that is okay. But we can build communities that make space for these differences, and we can start expecting people to erase themselves just to be acceptable. We can choose to understand when it's uncomfortable, because fitting in should never mean disappearing, and belonging in should never be just an effort from one side.”This is a reminder that we all have a role in creating inclusive spaces where difference is celebrated, not erased.#TEDxEspooYouth #TEDxTalk #TEDxEspooYouth2025 Frederick Lalu is currently studying at University of Helsinki. Apart from his studies, he is currently a Board Member at the National Committee of European Youth Parliament Finland – EYP Finland ry an independent youth organization dedicated to empowering young Europeans through European Parliament simulations and promoting active citizenship. Frederick has been an active member in many other youth organizations for the last four years. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if failure isn’t the end, but the beginning of growth? In this inspiring talk, Leah Gaber explores how setbacks can serve as powerful learning experiences that build resilience and drive future success. Through personal insight and reflection, she reframes failure as a necessary step on the path to achievement. Her message encourages us to embrace challenges as opportunities in disguise. Leah Gaber is a junior at Saddle River Day School, where she has been a student for three years. She enjoys staying active, cooking, and exploring new places. This is her first TEDx talk, and she has worked with her faculty mentor, Mr. Rodriguez, to prepare. Her talk, Learning through Failure: Using Setbacks as Success, explores how setbacks build resilience and pave the way to success. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Environmental damage isn’t just an ecological issue—it’s a growing public health crisis. In this policy-focused talk, Maya Kalender explores how chemical toxins and environmental dysregulation are endangering our waterways and our well-being. Drawing on years of research and advocacy, she makes the case for stronger regulations and more informed public action. Her talk challenges us to see environmental protection as essential to human health. Maya Kalender is a high school senior passionate about Science Research and environmental protection. Over the past few years, she has learned about the significant damage chemical toxins have done to our waterways, empowering her to take action. Maya has previously done two TED talks, both centered around environmental issues. In this talk, which she developed with her advisor, Joseph McMenamin she takes a policy-centered approach. She will speak about the public health crisis that has erupted due to environmental dysregulation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx