THE JOURNEY TO JOY: CREATING YOUR JOY INSTEAD OF FINDING IT

Oftentimes, we spend our lives searching for joy… but what if I told you there’s nothing to find? Throughout Cooper’s speech, you’ll be introduced to how your journey through life is actually where you can feel joy—not by looking but by creating. 

Goals, achievements, and a perfectly curated social media account are all well and good, but it’s not what makes you joyful. Cooper’s speech spells out what does…

BIOGRAPHY

Cooper Fleming is a working political advocate and public speaker, as well as an ice hockey player. Over the past four years, she’s worked with school districts across Western Canada, delivering speeches ranging from tackling micro-aggression to mental health in sport. Her speeches have been professionally recorded and used as an educational tool across Alberta for both students and teachers alike.  

Having overcome mental health issues in her own right, she’s developed an outlook on the world shaped by personal motivations and sees the validity in living in the world inside your head. 

HOMESICK FOR A HOME I'VE NEVER HAD

What makes you part of a culture: where you were born, or what you carry with you? Ignacio Olea was born in Querétaro, Mexico, to a Venezuelan family with Spanish roots, and has spent his life feeling like an impostor. In this TedX, Ignacio argues why he believes it's important to reestablish our definition on culture through his own experiences as a second generation Venezuelan. 

BIOGRAPHY

Ignacio is a grade 11 student at Brentwood College School. Born in Querétaro, Mexico, to a Venezuelan family, he grew up between cultures. He is passionate about sociology and politics, and about the stories of families scattered by Venezuela’s crisis. He loves learning and exploring cultures by meeting people from different backgrounds places around the world. 

SPITE-JOY: OUTSMARTING ANXIETY ONE SMALL MOMENT AT A TIME

What happens when your brain is wired for anxiety and overthinking, but your personality is built on pure, loud joy? Through personal stories and a bit of defiance, Derin Daramola explores what it's really like to live with an anxious mind. One that’s constantly running catastrophic worst-case scenarios in the background. Rather than waiting around to completely "fix" your mental health before enjoying your life, Derin introduces a surprising, secret weapon called Spite-Joy. A simple mental shift that can help you trick your brain, bypass overthinking, and take your life back, one tiny moment at a time.

BIOGRAPHY

 From Edmonton Alberta, Derin is a medical assistant intern, Assistant House Captain of JOY in Allard House, and an avid sushi lover. With a natural love for helping others, Derin channels that compassion into healthcare and student leadership. Whether laughing through the noise or hanging out with loved ones, Derin lives by one core philosophy: the present moment is always worth enjoying, no matter how much overthinking tries to get in the way.

PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT 

Adrienne is excited to share her love of card games in her TED Talk! Blending scientific evidence and her own experiences playing cards with loved ones, she hopes to share some insight into why we love — or should love — all that card games have to offer. 

BIOGRAPHY

No one was more surprised than Adrienne when she made the decision to return to Brentwood, her alma mater, as a Boarding Faculty Assistant last November. While she remains an avid fan of the Montreal Canadiens and Victoire (the better team), she appreciates being back on the West Coast and exploring all that it has to offer. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing, trail running, and rewatching Pitch Perfect (all three). 

THE SCREEN BETWEEN: WHY TRUE JOY CANNOT BE DOWNLOADED

Despite being the most digitally connected generation in history, gen-z is facing an epidemic of loneliness. In her talk, Libby explores the difference between joy stemming from in-person interaction versus the pleasure that drives us towards online activity. By looking at what happens in our brains when we reach for our phones to feel less alone, Libby explores what humans need to build true connections and experience joy.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Libby is a grade 11 student who you'll always find laughing.  When she's not on the basketball court, she can often be found in the Superlab dissecting an extra specimen that was saved for her. Over the summer, Libby was a camp counselor in Ontario. 

THE SLOWEST KID ON THE COURSE

Whether it be a bucket list item, a goal, or an assignment that is due, we all struggle to keep going and persist through hardships, frustrations, and setbacks. Yet, as Nirav will talk about, we can find this ability to achieve our goals that ultimately leads to success and finding joy. 

BIOGRAPHY

From Stanford, California, Nirav has attended Brentwood College School for four years. He is an avid student who loves learning about the world. He enjoys serving as Head Prefect of Academics for the school, while also being a part of the cross-country team, Model UN/Debate, and Robotics. 

In his free time, you can find Nirav playing the guitar, hanging out with his family and friends, or pursuing other interests and goals, such as earning his private pilot’s license.