St. Louis Teens to Take Part in TEDxGatewayArch Youth Event

On November 18, some of the most creative and innovative leaders in St. Louis will gather together to share ideas, take action and change the world – and still make it home in time to study for their algebra tests.

Thanks to TEDxGatewayArch, the city’s brightest teens can take part in the revolution that has shaped the way many view the world. Since its founding 26 years ago, the nonprofit organization TED and its roster of renowned speakers have encouraged millions of listeners to shake up the status quo through their innovation, creativity and compassion.

At each TED conference, leaders in Technology, Entertainment and Design are challenged to give the 18-minute talk of their lives to inspire, encourage, educate, and inform. From Bill Gates and Sheryl Sandberg to Morgan Spurlock and Arianna Huffington, TED speakers have helped spark discussion and drive participants to engage with a cause and with one another.

Now tomorrow’s leaders will have a chance to experience a TED event in person at a locally and independently organized event – the TEDxGateway Arch Youth Event.

Partnering with youth to strengthen St. Louis

Because of TED’s popularity, local TED events have been popping up all over the country, and St. Louis is no exception. The moment they began planning events for the region, organizers of TEDxGatewayArch wanted to be sure they pulled the youth of St. Louis into their initiative.

Explained Laura Chauvin, the TEDxGateway Arch Youth Board Liaison, via email, “St. Louis is experiencing an exciting revolution in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. TEDxGatewayArch was founded to chronicle, encourage and ride that wave. There is such pent up enthusiasm for the sharing of big ideas in the TED model – and this is ageless. It made sense to all of us that the youth of our community be involved in this from the start.”

This partnership between local leaders and area youth will culminate at the TEDxGatewayArch Youth Event on November 18 at The Magic House. The event has been planned and led by the teens on the Youth Board who’ve secured speakers, coordinated the evening, and handled the publicity, giving these ambitious teens important skills they need for the future.

The event, which begins at 4:30 p.m., includes presentations from speakers such as Beth Fitzgerald, president of the Magic House, Brryan Jackson, a local AIDS activist and founder of HOPE is Vital, and 40 Corners, Young Artists for Justice and Peace.

“We’re focusing on the core values of ‘character,’ presented by some amazing St. Louisans who represent these values,” remarked Alex Reagan, TEDxGatewayArch Youth Chair. “Teens will hear real-life experiences and stories that will not only encourage them to exemplify character, but will also show them how they can live out character – right here in St. Louis.”

Reservations for the Youth Event are complimentary, but limited, and dinner is included. The event is open only to high schoolers and college students – so mom and dad, you’re going to have to stay behind the velvet rope. Guests are also encouraged to bring a blanket and pillow to sit on and leave behind as a donation to a local shelter.

The Youth Event is just the first initiative for the TEDxGatewayArch Youth Board and one that will no doubt encourage teens to discover their strengths and use them to change lives, right here in St. Louis and around the world.

Said Reagan, “We’re part of this community for the long haul, and we want to build a sense of community among youth here. But the first step in building connections between teens is connecting teens. We hope that after TED, a new sense of partnership and connection will arise, so we can inspire a greater St. Louis.”