TEDxBillingsYOUTH 2026
When: April 17th from 1pm-5pm
Where: Lincoln Center in Billings, MT
Theme: Uncommon: Unique Ways for a Unique World
Everyone experiences problems that are common to many people in our everyday lives. But we each have our own unique POV to these personal challenges. It is your unique vision that allows growth and learning to be shared with others. If you created an idea or have experienced an uncommon solution to a common problem, we want to hear from you. Your talk can empower others to create a unique world together.
TEDxYouth events
A TEDxYouth event license follows the same format as the standard event license and falls within the same TEDx event rules, except that the event is oriented towards youth. TEDxYouth licenses may be held by adults, youth or a combination of both. For events held at schools, the license must be held by a current student, faculty, or staff member.
Reese M is a 15-year-old freshman at Billings West High School with a deep passion for dance and performance. She has been dancing since the age of four, and what began as a childhood activity has grown into a meaningful commitment and creative outlet.
Reese trains at Movement Montana in Billings, where she spends approximately 16 hours each week studying a variety of dance styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. Contemporary dance is her favorite because it allows her to connect deeply with music and tell emotional stories through movement.
Over the years, Reese has competed in numerous regional and national competitions across the country, traveling from Florida to California. These experiences have helped her develop discipline, resilience, and confidence both as a solo performer and as part of a team. In addition to competing, Reese also assists with teaching younger dancers at her studio, where she enjoys encouraging students and helping them build their confidence.
For TEDxBillings Youth, Reese will perform a contemporary solo titled “Black Friday,” choreographed by Brodie Rachelle and Darlyn Perez.
Ayeen N is a 15-year-old leader, writer, and advocate from Dublin, California, who is deeply interested in exploring how media shapes the way people understand the world. She is passionate about making a difference in her community and has taken action by leading clubs, organizations, and volunteering. In early middle school, she began leading several youth projects. One of these projects was her drama club, Theatrical Visions, dedicated to giving underrepresented yet talented students a chance to step into the spotlight. She has led the first youth-led play at her school, raised money and essential goods for those in need, and fostered a stronger sense of community in her area. After becoming a military cadet, Ayeen founded a youth-led initiative, Youth Empowerment in Military Careers (YEMC), dedicated to defying combat stereotypes of the military while empowering youth to take leadership roles. While leading this initiative, she noticed a stigma surrounding military careers. Many of her peers felt intimidated when considering the military as a career path, with their opinions often shaped by media and films.Through her talk about how media influences people’s perspectives on the military and beyond, she hopes to encourage audiences— especially young people– to think more critically about the media they consume and to motivate people to take action and solve problems in their communities.
Frankie S is a dedicated student-leader and inspiration who has spent the last four years of her high school career involved in various activities, continually challenging herself and pursuing personal growth. Inside the classroom, she has an unwavering love and appreciation for learning, expanding her knowledge in multiple Advanced Placement classes, such as AP Research, Psychology, and Statistics. Outside of the classroom, Frankie is a high-achiever with a diverse range of roles and accomplishments. She is a devoted member to the organization Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, having served as the President on the school, District, and State level. In Key Club, she has prioritized serving others and creating a sense of community throughout her years as club Secretary and President. Additionally, her time spent in National Honor Society and Varsity Tennis has taught her resilience and how to embrace flaws. In each of these extracurriculars, Frankie has made them her own, consistently demonstrating a commitment to excellence and betterment of both her school and community. Beyond the busy demands of her schedule and long to-do lists, though, she loves her family and friends, ensuring time and energy is set aside specifically for them.
As Frankie prepares to transition to college this fall in Minnesota, she plans to pursue a degree in health sciences and psychology. With this interest since middle school– navigating the difficulties that come with teenage years and social pressures– she has continued to demonstrate her fascination and dedication to the field of psychology as a whole. Using it as a method to understand others and the world around her, she looks forward to expanding her knowledge. Even more, Frankie is enthusiastic to contribute what she can to the field, and is determined to put forth her best.
Overall, Frankie faces every day with an optimistic outlook, trying to find the joy in the miniscule and mundane pieces of daily life. Her warm and compassionate demeanor never fails to light up a room, or the people around her. Frankie is never not striving for success or the next opportunity to learn and grow, undoubtedly an inspiration to those around her.
Ellie O was born in Billings, MT and is currently enrolled as a Freshman at Billings West High School where she participates in a variety of extracurricular activities. She was cast as Guildenstern in West’s production of Hamlet, plays French Horn in Chamber Band as well as Mellophone in Pep Band, and has just wrapped up her first season of Speech and Debate where she competed around the great state of Montana in Informative Speech and Humorous Interpretation categories. Outside of school, she is a voracious reader, passionate musician, and consumer of all things Montana History. Ellie is a newly participating member of Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra and in her spare time can be found playing Bass Guitar, creating sculptures and artwork from recycled materials, and volunteering for various Community Events in Downtown Billings at Frae Everyday Goods.
Whitney R is an Indigenous youth leader, advocate, and speaker from Montana and an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe. is passionate about empowering young people to use their voices to create meaningful change. Through her leadership and advocacy work, Whitney focuses on promoting inclusion, representation, and opportunities for youth in her community.
Whitney currently serves as President of the Billings Student Tribal Council and as a student council senator, where she works to amplify student voices and advocate for policies that support diverse perspectives. She is also dedicated to mentoring youth and encouraging the next generation of leaders to embrace their identities, cultures, and ideas with confidence.
Her commitment to leadership and advocacy has led to opportunities to speak publicly about Indigenous youth leadership, representation, and the importance of empowering young people to participate in shaping their communities. Whitney has been featured on a magazine cover highlighting her work promoting diversity and inclusion and has been invited to speak on radio programs and at conferences to share her experiences mentoring youth and advocating for cultural representation.
In addition to her advocacy work, Whitney is deeply involved in her school and community through leadership, service, and cultural engagement. She believes that when young people are encouraged to share their perspectives and step into leadership roles, they can create lasting change that benefits entire communities.
Through her TEDx talk, Whitney hopes to inspire youth to recognize the power of their voices and to speak up even when it feels uncommon.
Luis H is a student leader who is passionate about education, leadership, and public service. He aspires to become an educator and eventually pursue a career in law, using his skills in public speaking and critical thinking to help others achieve their goals.
Luis has distinguished himself through his commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. He was recognized in the American Legion Oratorical Contest for his ability to deliver clear, powerful speeches and thoughtfully communicate complex ideas. This recognition reflects both his strong reasoning skills and his dedication to civic engagement.
Luis has also participated in highly selective international programs. He attended the Global Leaders Academy at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where he collaborated with students from around the world while studying public policy and contributing to projects focused on education, health, and social progress. Working alongside peers from diverse backgrounds strengthened his commitment to developing practical solutions that promote learning, dialogue, and empowerment.
Through his work and experiences, Luis encourages others to take personal responsibility, build resilience, and develop the critical thinking skills needed to lead and serve their communities.
Hanna B is a senior at Billings West High School. She plays in the school’s Philharmonic Orchestra and is a member of West’s Tri-M Music Honor Society. Outside of music, Hanna competes on Silver Run Ski Team. Next year, she plans to study music and the violin in college.
Makenzy T is a 17-year-old junior at Billings Senior High School who has developed a strong passion for public speaking and leadership. While many people view public speaking as something to fear, Makenzy sees it as an opportunity to connect with others and share ideas that can make a difference.
Since her freshman year, she has been actively involved in her school’s speech and debate team, participating in competitions and community performances that have helped strengthen her confidence and communication skills. Makenzy also enjoys taking on leadership roles, serving as a chapter officer for FFA and Key Club and as a junior captain for the speech and debate team.
After school, Makenzy works at a local daycare, where she loves supporting young children as they learn and grow. At home, she also helps her mom care for her five younger siblings, assisting with everything from household responsibilities to helping with schoolwork.
While she is still exploring what career path she wants to pursue after graduation, Makenzy knows she wants it to involve public speaking and making a positive impact in the world. She is excited about the opportunities ahead and the chance to use her voice to inspire others.
Brooklyn E is a 17-year-old senior at Billings West High School and a student at the Billings Career Center. She is proudly Apsáalooke (Crow), Northern Cheyenne, and Chippewa, and is deeply passionate about uplifting and supporting Native youth in her community.
Brooklyn is an active member of the Billings Student Tribal Council, an organization dedicated to highlighting and empowering Indigenous student leaders throughout the Billings community. Through Tribal Council, she has built strong friendships and found a community that encourages leadership, growth, and cultural pride.
In her free time, Brooklyn enjoys expressing her creativity through music, crafting, and shopping. She especially loves making ribbon skirts and beadwork, often creating pieces for her regalia and spending time crafting with friends and family. Staying connected to her culture is incredibly important to her, and she takes pride in honoring and sharing those traditions.
Brooklyn credits her parents as her greatest role models and the foundation of her strength and identity. She is excited and grateful for the opportunity to share her urban Indigenous experience in Billings and celebrate the culture that means so much to her.
Areesha S is a junior at Okemos High School with a passion for exploring the world
through curiosity and creativity. Growing up balancing her parents’ traditions with life in
the U.S., she has learned to embrace the intersections of different experiences,
cultures, and perspectives.
Through youth conferences and other opportunities, Areesha works to help students like
herself explore their identities, embrace their strengths, and grow into the people they
want to be. She hopes to inspire others to notice the intersections in their own lives and
use them to create meaning, connection, and personal growth.
Milli Bear is a sixteen year old singer/songwriter from Cody, Wyoming. She has been performing and composing music from a young age, self-accompanying on the piano and ukulele. She was a finalist and award-winner at the 2025 Wyoming Singer/Songwriter Festival, and she performs frequently around the northern Wyoming and Billings, Montana area. Her songwriting style is unique and alternative, rejecting genre constraints and drawing inspiration from all things heartfelt and strange. Milli intends to dedicate her life to making music, hoping that she can use it to express ideas and make connections that words alone cannot.
Jomanh S is a first-generation American born to Libyan parents who is passionate about advocacy, leadership, and creating meaningful impact in her community. She serves as President of her school’s FCCLA chapter, is a multi-state and national leadership title holder, and holds several leadership roles within her school where she actively mentors others and leads by example.
Through her involvement in Speech and Debate and other leadership opportunities, Jomanh uses her voice to amplify underrepresented perspectives and encourage meaningful dialogue. She is especially passionate about empowering young women, particularly those from minority backgrounds, to take up space, lead with confidence, and embrace their full potential.
Jomanh is committed to using leadership as a tool for change and inspiring others to step boldly into their own voice.
