2010 Highlights

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Feedback from the 2010 Team

1. What part of your TEDxNGA experience means the most to you?

  • The fact that kids controlled or at least had a great deal of input in what went on. Ceante, Production Team
  • The spreading of ideas, and the initiation of conversation that occured at the event, and the discussions that have surfaced due to the event. Wyatt, Production Team
  • The most important part to me for the experience was helping other peers my age get heard, and working with adults side-by-side. It was really awesome making the connections also. Oh, and brainstorming powers are like +1Billion for me now! Julien, Tech Director
  • I really loved getting onstage and the feedback I got afterwards. Just realizing I could do it was very meaningful. Nate, Presenter
  • For me the best part of the experience (unfortunately I wasn't able to be at the live event) was the process of working with the NGA design team and the youth that were involved. The positive and fun supportive environment you created to offer all of us to imagine with our minds, heart and spirit wide open was one of the best processes for group collaboration I have participiated in for many years. Working with the young people in our community and watching them soar was very rewarding. EVERYONE on the team was included and felt part of the process.
    And yes I did meet new people and feel I have relationships in the community that will develop both personally and professionally. As a newcomer to Asheville, this was a great experience for getting involved and finding like-minded people to socialize and work with.    Eileen, Core Organizer
  • What means the most to me is tht we started something very special and important. I think as adults it's easy to forget tht teens and young people have excellent ideas and information and life lessons to teach us. I am constantly reminded of how full of ambition these young people are and it constantly keeps my on my toes to be as accomplished and successful as they already are. It was truly and honor to be able to represent and learn from that aspect of the TEDxNGA experience. Becca, Emcee
  • The whole thing that kids have a chance to share their ideas in a public setting is awesome and great but the importance of the issues and the speakers seem to be belittled or more privileged because we are younger. I think that is the most important part; That we kids are taken seriously. Colin, Production Team
  • The part of TedxNGA that stood out most for ME, is that not only was there the spreading of ideas, but it was from KIDS--Who in my personal experience, are rarely listened to. But during the event, a LOT of people came to listen, and they heard what the kids were trying to say. Xandy, Production Team
  • Being connected with TED meant the most to me – we’ve been TED followers for a long time. Shelley, Core Organizer
  • I believe the actual event and seeing the presenters step into their voice and give amazing presentations. I also appreciated the collaborative effort and working with Ashley whose leadership meant so much to me. Bob
  • Sharing ideas and genuine enthusiasm (for particular areas of expertise as well as the art of sharing) with a diverse community! Jenny, Core Organizer
  • Having the opportunity to be a part of something that was genuinely co-created by adults and youth working together and was then appreciated and enjoyed by both adults and youth in the audience was extremely meaningful to me. I learned so much working with the teens and their enthusiasm and ideas provided continued inspiration and motivation to stick with this project. Ashley, Core Organizer

2. What do you want people to know about TEDxNextGenerationAsheville?

  • This is a great experience to help spread ideas worth telling! Ceante
  • TEDxNGA is an expierience that is not so common in today's busy world. We become so involved and focused with our own thoughts that is can be difficult to hear the voices of those who are below us- kids. Minors do not necessarily have a chance to always express their views in the world, but at the same time, they are not bound by the confines of the the larger world. They are able to think 'outside the box' and communicate the importance of many issues. TEDxNGA is an oppurtunity for that communication to take place, and is a forum for adults to hear youthful voices. It is truly an incredible expierience- one that I feel honored to have been a part of. Not solely because of TED's name recognition, but because of the design. The guiding principle which has incredible value in our system of Government is exhibited on a local scale. The "Sharing of Ideas" is what makes TEDxNGA unique and an awesome expierience for all involved. Wyatt
  • I want people to know that sometimes, kids have really good ideas. Ideas that everyone can learn from, ideas MEANT for adults to listen to. And I want for the adults to listen. To be proactive, and help our generation (the next generation, that is) feel like we can make a difference in the world. I feel like that was the whole reason behind TEDxNGA in the first place, and I feel like it's slowly becoming more and more noticed, respected, and listened to throughout the country. Xandy
  • TEDxNextGenerationAsheville is not just another TEDx event, simply because it's powered by enlightening youth and adults alike, and were from Asheville. (what could be better?) Julien
  • It's a great thing for young people and something adults should encourage their kids to get involved with. I had a very transformative experience and I think other people could benefit just as much. Nate
  • I want them to know that they should absolutely include young people in adult decision making processes and that there is NOTHING more motivational than seeing a teenager who has already accomplished more than you. It is an inspiration to be open minded and not be jaded: go for your passions and it's never to late to advance the world. Becca
    That kids have just as big ideas as adults and that they deserve to be broadcasted to those who listen and want to do something about it.     Colin
  • That it places the youth involved on the cutting edge of leadership, technology and the very interesting TED movement. Shelley
  • They are welcome to bring their gifts to the NGA team and be part of empowering youth. Bob
  • That it is just as intentional and challenging and worth-spreading as any TED event; wrought from inspiration as much as frustration and most of all the desire to share. Jenny
  • It is a WONDERFUL organization that promotes thinking outside the box and ways to engage and encourage young minds. Presenter's Parent

3. Did your involvement in TEDxNextGenerationAsheville create any new
experiences for you or changes in your life?

  • Not for the time being, but it is a resume booster. Ceante
  • The event itself did not change my life, but like Ceante, it has aided my resume, and has developed my body of knowledge in theatre. Wyatt
  • It made me realize that maybe it is possible for a kid to change something that they don't like, something that is pretty much in the hands of adults. Xandy
  • I made connections with people which then led to connections which have changed my life! Developing the website with Jonathan was a priceless experience, and planning for an entire event on the technical side was also really awesome, I learned a lot about what you actually have to do if your in charge of something. Julien
  • I definitely felt more confident afterwards about speaking in front of people, as well as feeling more involved in my community and prepared to join the adult world. Nate
  • It did change my life because for the first time I have friends in common with my teenage brother and I feel as though a small gap was filled. Becca
  • It did, not only because of the great relationships that have come from the event itself but also the cementing of the concept that there are new and revolutionary ideas out there that are just waiting to take off and shake things up. Colin
  • My involvement got me a little more connected with the community – though I may say that since the big event there has been only email contact – I thrive more on face to face contact. Shelley
  • I believe it has widened my connection to people in Asheville and given me a new and bigger perspective on the value of youth’s voice in the public arena. Bob
  • Organizing with TEDxNGA oriented me to my new city in a way i never wouldve have found otherwise- seeking out a different generation and listening for challenges in the area. Jenny
  • Being a part of TEDxNextGenerationAsheville was an integral part of my leaning about the Asheville community and discovering other allies in this social change movement and other advocates supporting the wisdom of youth. Ashley

4. Is there any follow-up action or responses from the community that you've experienced that are meaningful to you?

  • I have engaged in many a conversation with people whom I did not previously know, but they saw my TEDxNGA shirt and that alone sparked a discussion. The involvement has allowed me to become a more active community member. Wyatt
  • Gabe and I have been genuinely touched by the willingness of people to pull behind him and support his effort to get the CTS site cleaned-up. Following his TEDx talk, a group from All Souls joined him in distributing brochures about an upcoming vigil, and they came and participated in the vigil as well! They don't even live near the contamination, but they are willing to spend their time and energy to support his efforts to help our community, and it is very heartwarming. Lee Ann, Presenter's Parent
  • I'm looking. So far, the only one I've noticed is that there's now a big movement to clean up the CTS Site in South Asheville (thank you, Gabe). Xandy
  • I'm really excited about where Birke's talk has gone, although I wish that some of the others had the same effect. Many of our talks were really really good! Julien
  • I've been asked by a couple of people to present to younger kids, which is very flattering, and the overall positive responses I've gotten from a lot of people have made me feel really good. Nate
  • The community has recognized my face a little bit more in a community that wasn't aware of it as well as the recognition that Birke's talk recieved. People often ask me what he's like and what I learned from talking to him in person. Becca
  • The only idea from this year's TEDxNGA that seems to be taking off is Gabe's, with the CTS waste management plant that was causing problems in the community around it. Colin
  • My son’s inclusion in some community events has been very exciting. We got involved to support him in the first place. Shelley
  • It was great how we rallied around Birke and Gabe who continued to move forward in getting their important ideas out there. Bob
  • I love watching our Event videos uncover new audiences via the internet. Jenny
  • In meetings I hear more adults suggesting that young people should be invited to provide perspective and insight on community issues.Ashley

5. What kind of an impact did your child's involvement in TEDxNextGenerationAsheville have on their life or your family?

  • It was a great opportunity for him to reach for a goal that was interesting for him - fascinating actually. He spent more hours working on his research, the power point, and the actual speaking part. He gained enormous confindence - and an audience beyond the classroom.

    We saw a different side of our son in this process. Someone who can focus and think of really big ideas. Someone who has enormous confidence in himself to accomplish anything. We've shown the you tube to all the family in far flung places - they've seen the same things. Presenter's Parent

  • By participating in TEDx Gabe realized that he has the ability, confidence and power to speak publicly and share his ideas! It was such a confidence booster and empowering opportunity for him. And, of course our family is very proud of him too. Presenter's Parent

6. Did your child's involvement in TEDxNextGenerationAsheville create any new experiences for them or changes in their life?

  • This was a different crew than our son is usually with. Having a common goal to work with helped him engage in a deeper way on conversations that matter. Presenter's Parent
  • Through his TEDx talk, Gabe received numerous positive comments (both online and in person). He has been able to use the youtube video of his talk to support his college and scholarship applications. Presenter's Parent

7. What was meaningful or inspiring to you about TEDxNextGenerationAsheville?

  • We loved seeing all the ideas of the presenters. The future is in good hands! Presenter's Parent
  • To hear all those progressive young thinkers sharing their ideas was inspiring and motivating beyond words. Wow! Presenter's Parent