2026 Speakers
Simone Myers
Simone is a junior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. At school, she is involved in Varsity Soccer and Varsity Lacrosse. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her friends and family.
Simone’s talk covers ideas she discovered when she went without a phone for a year. She argues that in our distracted world presence is power.
Presence is Power
Alyssa is a junior at The Branson School. At school, she is interested in chemistry, math, teaching, and sustainability. Outside of class, she's an avid basketball player, photographer, amateur pastry chef (@alyssa_bakes_bliss), and dog lover.
Alyssa’s talk reflects on her Math Team experience, which inspires her to explore girls' confidence in math and science. She shares her findings and examines both gender and socioeconomic gaps in STEM.
Where the Real STEM Gap Begins
Alyssa Huang
Ellen Dale
Ellen is a junior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. At school, she is involved with the student council as the 2026-2027 Student Body President. Outside of school, she participates in ballet, which she has done her whole life. One day, she hopes to become a nurse.
Ellen’s talk is on the impact fast fashion has not only on the environment but also on our own individuality. She claims fashion is the lost art of self-expression, and has been able to find herself through thrifting and reclaim her identity.
Something Once Loved
David Siu
David is a sophomore at Campolindo High School. He lives by his motto of "Build what you believe in." His work focuses on supporting his community through AAPI Youth Rising (Advocacy), Environmental Activism, and Business Entrepreneurship. In his free time, he loves playing the violin, swimming, and hanging out with his family and friends.
David’s talk is on how AAPI Youth Rising has been trapped in an internalized waiting room of silence where stereotypes like the model minority myth conform us into a version of ourselves that isn't who we truly are. He claims that this silence is not a barrier of safety, it is a room that only we can decide when we want to break free.
Deconstructing the Silent Waiting Room
Erin Baldanzi is a Theology teacher who began teaching at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in 2019. At school, she is is the Theology Department Chair, Instructor of Theology, and the Fishing Club Moderator. In her free time, she loves to spend time in the outdoors: fishing, camping, paddle boarding, and more!
Ms. Baldanzi’s talk is on ‘Risk and reward’ and how we determine what risks are worth taking.
Risk & Reward: Life's Best BetsErin Baldanzi
Eva Richie
Eva is a junior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. At school, she acts and sings in the SHC Theatre Department, Drama Club, Chamber Choir, and is involved in the SHC Jewish Heritage Club. Outside of school, she participates in the ACT Cabaret program and RAC Teen Justice Fellowship Program. When she grows up, she wants to be an actress, singer, and devoted cat parent.
Eva’s talk is about how autism is being portrayed in the media and in extreme film stereotypes as ‘something to be afraid of,’ and she claims that most of the problem many autistic individuals face is lack of compassion and support. She wants to bring awareness to people and help them understand why it shouldn't be called a "disorder."
ASD: Autism's Societal Disorder
Maitland Wais
Maitland Wais is a senior at The Branson School. Through his work in politics, acting, and as a news editor for his school newspaper, he understands the power of words. After winning a national championship in 2025 for his speech about book banning in schools, he was inspired to rework it and share his message in a TED Talk. Next year, he will be attending Princeton University.
Maitland’s talk analyzes the rising issue of book banning in schools, the underlying causes, and how we as students can fight back.
Why Book Bans Are About More Than Books
Erwan is a junior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. At school, he participates in Entrepreneurship Club, Marketing Club, and SHC Lacrosse. Outside of school, he loves surfing, playing lacrosse, and camping. He was born in a small village in the French Alps before moving to the Bay Area when he was 7. He enjoys taking every opportunity to put himself out there, whether that means meeting new people, hearing their experiences, or trying something new.
Erwan’s talk explores how growing up as an immigrant shaped my understanding of American culture and belonging. It makes people reflect on how the United States was built by immigrants and how we are all still contributing to what American culture currently is and what it will become in the future. Growing up between these two very different environments, it gave him a unique perspective on culture, identity, and the way people experience the world.
We’re All Still ArrivingErwan Blanc-Paques
Anska Hilash
Anska is a junior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. At school, she participates in Campus Ministry and Concert Band. In her spare time she loves hiking and hanging out with friends.
Anska’s talk explores the extent to which the people that we surround ourselves with influence our identity. It examines how we project ourselves onto others, and the emotional transaction embedded within relationships.
Where I End and You Begin
Francesca Rinaudo
Francesca is a junior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. At school, she participates in Varsity Soccer, Block Club, The Emerald, and Yearbook Club. Outside of school, she enjoys playing club soccer, going shopping, and hanging out with friends.
Francesca’s talk is about how the small things in life matter, how each moment of each day is significant, and has an impact on one's life.
The Importance of the Little Things in Life
Ezra is a junior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. At school, he is a DePaul Scholar, participates in the Entrepreneurship Club, and is part of the Student Ambassador Leadership Team. He is trilingual, speaking English (first) language, Chinese (mostly fluent), and French (a little bit). He enjoys building legos, hanging out with friends, fencing, and volunteering. His dream in life is to help create a world where everyone can feel motivated to actively seek out belonging through comfort in oneself.
Ezra’s talk is about how he believes human beings need a means of celebrating human life and how communities provide that opportunity, as long as we actively seek it.
Cultural Mosaic