For my senior year at Carlmont High School, I was selected as one of five students to deliver a TEDx talk after submitting a video pitch outlining my topic.

My talk explored how pivotal life transitions, including my deconstruction from organized religion, shaped my understanding of identity, individuality, and self-expression. Drawing from my personal experiences, I introduced the concept of authentic relating, a practice centered on being genuine and present in interpersonal interactions, and discussed how it helped me navigate these challenges.

Delivering the 14-minute talk was a meaningful accomplishment and an opportunity to strengthen my public speaking and storytelling skills. I successfully delivered my memorized presentation, communicated my key ideas naturally, and connected my personal experiences to a broader, relatable message.