TEDxYouth@Watsonville

May 19, 2013 • Mello Center for the Performing Arts • Watsonville

As community leaders, the Watsonville Youth City Council has learned to ask: Why Not? – ¿Por qué no? They selected this as the theme for TEDxYouth@Watsonville. When contemplating issues that directly affect the quality of life for youth in the community, this theme elicits purposeful responses: – Why not change the world, even though you’re not an adult?

  • Why not say “no” when everyone is saying “yes”…or the other way around?
  • Why not be the first in your family to go to college?
  • Why not express yourself through your chosen art?
  • Why not ask Why Not?

TEDxYouth@Watsonville is not just looking for great “speakers” to share ideas at TEDxYouth. There are many ways to share ideas worth spreading. Check out the ideas so far:

  • One student envisions sharing her ideas through spoken word in order to encourage others with: Why Not speak out change your world?
  • The Santa Cruz Ballet Theater will perform a dance interpretation of the work of poet, Shel Silverstein to Bach Partita No. 3 in E Major, asking: Why not use 18th century music to interpret modern poetry though modern dance?
  • A victim of a gang attack, will ask: Why not report gang crime, even though there might be retaliation?
  • Why not go to college, even if you’re Latina…especially if you’re Latina? ​

The interpretations of the theme Why Not? are as vast as the creativity of our Santa Cruz County Youth.

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Speakers & Performers

Jackie Lopez

Pamela Velazquez

Ulises Cisneros

John Anthony Murillo

Nahara Villalobos

Martin Contreras

Jessica Fitz

Eddie

St. Francis High School

Andrew Rosario

Austin Park

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre

Dulce

Fatima

Jiayao Huang

Casey Monahan

Rebecca Guerrero

Yoni Hernandez

Melissa Magee

Omar Fabian

Jonathan Fry

Amber Zeise