Theme: 'Bursting Bubbles'

The 2016 TEDxEastGrandRapidsHigh event will be exploring the theme ‘Bursting Bubbles’. This year's conference will be an opportunity for speakers to share their experiences with the benefits, challenges, and opportunities that opening their mind to new perspectives- or ‘bursting their bubble’- have to offer. This theme, perfect for the town nicknamed ‘the bubble’, will hopefully provide a platform for passionate individuals to open the minds of our community by sharing their stories.

East Grand Rapids High School
2211 Lake Drive SE
East Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
United States

Kathryn Martin and Avery Ferin

Seniosr at Forest Hills Central

Kathryn Martin and Avery Ferin are senior girls from Forest Hills in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They decided to come together to create a spoken word poetry piece revolving around a topic they share a passion for: feminism. Kathryn plays the violin and has a deep passion for foreign language, studying french, spanish, and german. She also enjoys creating poetry, and is currently writing a novel. Avery enjoys reading Stephen King novels, writing poems on her hands, watching movies that feature Tom Hanks, and listening to music from the 1950s. This past June she published her own poetry collection titled "1:02 A.M." They are extremely excited to be a part of TEDx, anticipating giving people a better understanding of womens' rights through spoken word.

Anna Laffrey

Senior at EGRHS

Anna is often found running through the High School - as both a four-year cross country and track athlete and a frantic participant in one-too-many extracurriculars. She’s found her niche in many corners, from a Constitutional Studies team to the basketball scoreboard. Above all, Anna is an aspiring journalist and, naturally, a disciple of The New York Times. She will be attending the Medill School of Journalism for her undergraduate education -- but in the meantime, she channels her passion for journalism as Editor of The East Vision and as a publicist for a variety of local organizations. We put her resources to use for this TEDx event.

Chris Bruinsma

Freshman at EGRHS

Hello, my name is Chris Bruinsma and I love Tedx, and even more I love sharing ideas on the only true social network—face to face human conversation. I hope you enjoy my talk. Chao.

Colin Hendrickson

Owner/ Operator of A Company of Minors, L.L.C.

Colin Hendrickson is a young serial entrepreneur, and CEO of A Company Of Minors, from Spring Lake, MI. Starting in the 4th grade selling ice cream treats to his peers, to selling his first company by the age of 14. He is determined to help shape today’s society by inspiring other young entrepreneurs

Dana Christian Lee

Founder of EmbodyGR

Dana Lee is a lover of life and of people. Dana holds a BS in elementary education from Ohio State University, a master’s in educational administration from Grand Valley State University, Anusara Inspried yoga certification, and eRYT 500-hour Yoga Alliance certification. An East Grand Rapids resident and parent, Dana has been working as a teacher and leader with youth and adults for over 20 years. She used those experiences -- combined with her life’s daily work of being a mom of five children, a wife, a yogi, and a social activist -- to manifest her heart’s dream. In 2014, Dana founded (and is executive director of) EmbodyGR, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Dana’s leadership upholds her vision that all people desire to feel valuable and part of something larger, that physical and mental wellness practices should be available to all people regardless of their financial ability, and that all people want to “feel better” and have a desire to “do good” in the world.

Dani Mitchell

Junior at EGRHS

My name is Dani Mitchell, and I am a Junior at EGR. I love public speaking, and just speaking in general, and I cannot wait to be a part of this fun event! I love water sports including water polo, swimming, skiing, and wake-boarding. I am passionate about my education and making the most of high school. I am creative and talented at making the best out of tough situations, and finding solutions quickly. I do not give up easily on tasks at hand. I am excited to meet lots of new people and have fun with TEDx

Danielle Falling

Junior at Forest Hills Central

I love the color yellow and writing poems that don't rhyme. I have a passion for equality and yearn for a day when people can get along. I hope to one day be someone who can help to change the world for the better, even if that is just changing one person.

Shannon Ors

Junior at EGRHS

Shannon is a East Grand Rapids native who loves the town she has been blessed to spend the past 15 years living in. You can often find her diving into the High School pool for swim practice or studying philosophers for We the People. She spends a little too much time following her favorite bloggers and has quite the collection of craft supplies in her basement. When Shannon is not doing homework she loves to watch old movies, particularly anything with Audrey Hepburn.