RAISE THE BAR
TEDxCCSD Youth brought together fifteen student speakers to share ideas that challenged, inspired, and moved their community forward.
Athens, GA
Thank you to the students, families, educators, and community members who helped make this event possible.
Watch the CCSD Students TEDx Talks
Fifteen student speakers. Fifteen powerful ideas. Explore the official TEDxCCSD Youth talks and hear what the next generation has to say.
Finding Your Courage
Kenji
The Connection Between High Jump and Real Life
Caitlin
The 60-second Barrier
Ryan
Still I Rise
Mariah
Why “You’ve Got This” Actually Works
Ruby
We Belong Together
Emaline
The Power of Words
Eden
The Sound of Kindness
Laila
Love is Weird
Essex
Becoming Who You Were Created to Be
Brandon
Doodling is a Superpower
Leah
We All Matter
Aniya
Reclaiming the Stereotype, Rewriting Our Truth: Black Women
Kayla
Bringing Pipe Cleaners to Life, One Story at a Time
Aidric
Life Beyond the Screen
A'layja
Moments from TEDxCCSD Youth.
A look back at the energy, ideas, and student voices that made the event memorable.
How students are raising the bar.
At the heart of this year's theme, Raise the Bar, is a challenge to every student and attendee. To elevate expectations, push past limitations, and step into their full potential. Fifteen student speakers will explore three essential dimensions of impact: how we THINK, how we LEAD, and how we SHOW UP in the world.
THINK
Challenge your mindset.
LEAD
Inspire and influence others.
SHOW UP
Take action. Make it count.
TEDxCCSD Youth brings together students, families, and the community for a powerful live experience centered on ideas and impact.
This year's theme, Raise The Bar, challenges students and attendees to elevate expectations, push past limitations, and step into their full potential.
Fifteen student speakers from elementary, middle, and high schools will take the stage to share ideas shaped around how we THINK, how we LEAD, and how we SHOW UP in the world.
TED is a nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading. It began as a conference bringing together Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and has grown into a global platform for powerful ideas across many disciplines.
Through TED Talks, TED brings bold thinkers, innovators, creators, and changemakers to audiences around the world.
TEDx is a program of local, independently organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
At TEDxCCSD Youth, live student speakers and meaningful community conversation come together to spark connection, reflection, and action.
The TED Conference provides general guidance for TEDx events, but each TEDx event is independently organized.
Fifteen student voices. One stage.
Meet the CCSD students taking the stage to share ideas that challenge perspectives, inspire action, and raise the bar.
Emaline Benson
Whitehead Road Elementary School
Mariah Carson
Clarke Central High School and Athens Community Career Academy
Caitlin Davis
Hilsman Middle School
Essex Forker
Clarke Central High School and Athens Community Career Academy
Brandon Frazier
Clarke Central High School
Kenji Funato
Timothy Road Elementary School
A'Niyah Grimes
Gaines Elementary School
Leah Hussain
Barnett Shoals Elementary School
Aidric Johnson
Coile Middle School
Eden Moye
Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School
Laila Nobles
Clarke Central High School
Ruby Smothers
Gaines Elementary School
Kayla Walker
Clarke Central High School and Athens Community Career Academy
Ryan Watkins
Hilsman Middle School
A'layja Wilson
Coile Middle School
Join us May 9 in Athens.
TEDxCCSD Youth is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.
TEDxCCSD Youth 2026
Fifteen student speakers will take the stage to share ideas centered on how they think, lead, and show up.
Reserve Your Seat595 Prince Avenue
Athens, Georgia 30601
Advance registration helps the team prepare for guests.
Meet the team
raising the bar.
TEDxCCSD Youth is powered by district leadership, organizers, producers, coaches, and student leadership committed to amplifying student voices and creating meaningful community impact.
Organizers
Dr. Jennifer Scott
Stephen Nobles
April Braswell
Dr. Aliceson Nobles
Lesley Dean
Desylin Culliver
Coaches
Carlyn Bland
Barbara Gaertig
Alon Hammond
Dr. Beverly Harper
Jennifer Martin
Dr. Kena Worthy
Host
Riley Hughes
Riley is a student leader who actively serves on the Executive Board of her school’s Student Council and is one of the first students in CCSD to participate in TED-Ed Student Talks.
Riley enjoys volleyball, volunteering in the community, and expressing her love of music through choir.
Be in the room where ideas take shape.
Support student voices. Experience powerful ideas. Be part of a community raising the bar.
Reserve Your Seat