My Journey At TEDxUGA

Spring 2026

This past semester I had the opportunity to take a course specializing in curation for TEDxUGA. Throughout this course I learned the structure of a TEDx Talk and how to make it “resonate,” I learned how to communicate professionally with presenters, and I have just began assistant Alex Mason in curation his talk for the 2026 TEDxUGA!

At the beginning of the semester I focused on learning the rules of TED, how to curate a talk, and how to represent TEDxUGA. Through quizzes, projects, and creating my personal TED Talk, I learned the importance in storytelling while staying logical. The most memorable information I learned during my time learning about Resonate was STAR moments which includes shocking statistics, repeatable soundbites, memorable dramatizations, emotive storytelling and evocative visuals. To conclude the testing and project period of the course I presented my very own mini TED Talk about learning to adapt to new things. I talked of the experience I had that was life changing: getting a little sister at 20 years old. Through that talk I shared analytical and emotional information, all while creating thought provoking visuals to keep my audiences attention. Below are some of the visuals I included in my talk!

Some of my TEDMe visuals!

Finally, after completing the bulk of coursework to prepare to officially start curating for TEDxUGA, I met the presenter I would be assisting! Students, faculty, past presenters, and newly selected members presented a wonderful Presenter Mixer. During the mixer students and the rest of the TEDxUGA family got to know the new presenters, which was nothing short from exciting. As the night progressed, students were finally given their assigned presenter…My presenter is Alex Mason! Alex Mason is an assistant professor for lighting design at the University of Georgia. So far, we have narrowed down a very broad subject to something unique to him. We plans to incorporate plenty of STAR moments-dare I say something that involves fun lighting? Though I am reaching the end of my semester taking the TEDxUGA course, I’m not going anywhere! I am so excited to continue my journey here with the TED fam, and my journey with Alex! He has so many amazing ideas and I am so honored to continue helping him ready himself to share them. See you next semester TED!

Me at the Presenter Mixer!!

As my journey with TEDxUGA transitioned to the spring, I was assigned even more presenters to work with during the curation process! I worked with Arpita Shome on environmental sustainability efforts, Dyci Sfregola on supply chain infrastructures, and I continued my work with Alex Mason!

Working with each and everyone of them was an absolute honor; it taught me about each topic we curated and helped me further develop my professional communication skills. Once March hit I was shaking with excitement to see them thrive on the TED round rug!!

When dress rehearsal and show day hit, I had no doubt they were going to do an amazing job. Alex manipulated the lights in the Morton Theatre to represent emotional shifts in color; Arpita did a live demonstration on stage to show off her water-repelling cotton device which aids in oil spill clean-ups! Dyci spoke from the heart, letting each and every viewer know they contribute to the supply chain and by taking that responsibility they can all lead us towards a healthier future! I teared up during every talk because of how proud I was of everyone’s work.

I will never forget my time with TEDxUGA, and I am so thankful for the relationships it has brought me along the way!