Evodie Ngoy, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a sophomore at Digital Harbor High School. She is a filmmaker with Wide Angle Youth Media. Evodie's most recent short film, The Paradise That Wasn't, addresses her expectations for American schools, and the realities of her American public school experience.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)