What Encounters TEDEd has taught me: Aariz Bapoo

My name is Aariz Bapoo, and I’m currently in Grade 11 at St. George’s School.

I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to help plan the IlluminaTED 2021 conference this year! I attended IlluminaTED 2019 and the conference inspired me by showcasing the collective passion from youth all over the province; therefore, I was eager to be on the planning team for the next iteration. Encounters TEDEd has provided me with the ability to learn from so many like-minded youth, and further my own personal thinking. From participating in the Encounters TEDEd club itself for the first time this year, I have learned about the commitment, dedication, and hard work that so many students put forward in order to create a memorable conference experience for every attendee. Personally, the most interesting part of the IlluminaTED is seeing all the different working parts start to come together. From student talks to activations and everything else in between, there's a lot of collaboration and communication needed in order to bring everything together; however, when all the pieces do start coming together, it’s very inspiring. I would recommend the Encounters TEDEd program to anyone who is thinking about participating in future years for a variety of reasons. You have the opportunity to meet and work with many new people, as well as learn from other like-minded youth which is a very valuable and rewarding experience. Furthermore, as a part of the IlluminaTED conference leadership team, you are able to plan a conference for hundreds of people to attend and help create an unforgettable experience for all!