Theme: Illuminate

TEDxThunderRidgeHS is organized by three students who are hosting the event at their high school, ThunderRidge High School (Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA). By hosting a TEDx event, we would like to unite our community in a way that not only fosters communication on the broader scale, but instills a sense of wonder and inspiration that would otherwise not be uncovered. In today’s current climate, we find that it is especially difficult to hold conversations without sparking a polarizing debate of some sort, so TED’s intellectual agenda would be refreshing for our speakers, for our audience, and for our school. In addition to this, we would like to demonstrate to the onlooking community that their voices matter; no matter how obscure an idea may be, it only takes a bit of courage and support in order to bring these ideas to light. We believe that holding this event would spread the message that by applying ambition, hard work, and creative spirit, it is completely possible to achieve intellectual greatness and unity.

ThunderRidge High School
1991 W. Wildcat Reserve Parkway
Highlands Ranch, Colorado, 80129
United States

Alex Griffin

Student

Alex Griffin is a senior at ThunderRidge High School. He is interested in our relationships with the environment, and how we can best communicate the issues we face due to the climate crisis. He thinks it's extremely important to encourage teenagers to be politically active and motivated in causes they are passionate about.

Anthonette Klinkerman

Educator

Anthonette Klinkerman, M. Ed. is a 20+ year veteran English teacher who spent 10 of those years at an alternative night high school, and one very unfortunate year attempting to teach middle school PE. Teaching at Eagle Academy Night High School in Douglas County, Colorado, prompted the penning of her book Aloha. Mr. Hand: An Alternative Trip through Education, adding to two other self-published works, the award-winning Battle of the Grandmas, and Courtesy Bootcamp: A Not-So-Gentle Reminder to Live by The Golden Rule. She continues writing whenever possible, and is currently in pursuit of additional certification to teach concurrent enrollment classes at ThunderRidge High School. With whatever free time she can find, she enjoys her small family, exploring the Denver restaurant scene, snow-skiing in the winter, and golfing in the summer.

Cosimo Intermite

Instructor in Learning Techniques

Cosimo Intermite is an expert of learning techniques. He loves reading, watching movies and music; he was a singer between 16 and 18 years old. As an instructor, he loves teaching learning techniques in order to help people believe in themselves again. What he really dreams is to one day have a lot of instructors who want to teach learning techniques to have a greater impact on more lives than he could touch himself.

Ingrid Pyka

Executive Business and Marketing Strategist

Single mother, owner of three growing businesses, and active volunteer for several non-profits, Dr. Ingrid Pyka found a fascination with the element of "Time." From this, she did exactly what comes naturally to her - ask questions. Ingrid has explored how we manage time, how we use and how we abuse time. Ingrid's TEDx Talk "The Power of Time" is the culmination of her continued research of Time in our society. As an executive business consultant, Dr. Pyka partners with entrepreneurs and corporations, helping them become more efficient and profitable. She has been interviewed on television, radio, and continues to offer keynote talks on international stages. Also a licensed small animal veterinarian, Ingrid loves to keep animals healthy and safe, and, to educate the families as much as she can. She also shares a special passion for working with authors and has herself published several multi-award winning books.

James McCord

Educator

Dr. James McCord has been a professional educator and coach for over thirty years. Upon college graduation, he spent two years traveling and hitch-hiking the world - experiencing first-hand the good in humanity. His travels have taken him to over sixty countries and he enjoys taking students to Europe every summer. Jim believes working at the service at others, rather than the expense of others, is key to individual happiness and the future of humanity. He loves traveling the world, the great outdoors, and time with family.

Jeramiah Solven

Founder

Jeramiah Solven is the founder of Conquer Academy, a coaching company designed to help leaders and athletes win. He is a former 75th Ranger Regiment Officer who became the #1 Infantry Officer out of a class of 2000. As a Ranger, Jeramiah earned 1 of 2 positions in special operations out of a 400,000 Soldier Army. Jeramiah has helped hundreds of people grow as leaders. He has worked with clients ranging from CEOs, small business owners, pilots, athletes, FBI Agents, to a billion dollar company. It's Jeramiah's mission to bring more good in this world while helping others achieve their best.

Jonathan Watson

Motivational Speaker

Jonathan Watson has been to 35 countries around four continents. His interests include reading, traveling, teaching, marketing, sales, and speaking. He wants to be the greatest speaker in the world. Jonathan wants to run a marathon on all seven continents of the world. He wants to be the best family man ever.

Matt Paisley

Educator

Matt Paisley has been a teacher and a coach since 1993. He has coached cross country, wrestling, baseball, track and field, and tennis. He is a husband and father of three high school and college-aged children. His hobbies are reading, running, and making sandals.

Olivia Smith

Student

Olivia is a senior at Mountain Vista High School. She is looking forward to finding out where she will be accepted to college, during which she will pursue a pre-med path. In her free time she enjoys competing in Speech and Debate, singing in a jazz choir, and spending time outside.