Colleges today are looking for curious students — those who dive deeply into subjects that truly fascinate them. Gone are the days when being a “Jack of all Trades” guaranteed admission. Juggling three sports, piano lessons, multiple clubs, and hundreds of volunteer hours no longer impresses top universities.
Instead, admissions officers are drawn to students whose curiosity leads them to explore meaningful questions over time. They can spot the difference between a last-minute “passion project” and one that reflects genuine dedication. When a student begins exploring an idea in 8th or 9th grade and develops it throughout high school, it shows depth, resilience, and authentic engagement — qualities every selective college values.
Admissions officers love reading about students who lose track of time while learning something new. They want to see how a spark of interest becomes a serious pursuit — one that leads to research, innovation, or even publication. By senior year, these students often have impressive results: awards, patents, community impact, and teachers who write glowing recommendation letters about their initiative.
That’s what we celebrate at TEDxMeritAcademy in Santa Cruz. Each year, I mentor students as they design and execute projects based on their passions. These projects culminate in a TEDx talk, where students share their discoveries, insights, and vision for a better world. Having a TEDx talk on their résumé isn’t just impressive — it’s evidence of curiosity, creativity, and courage.
Here’s a sneak peek at a few of this year’s remarkable speakers:
Lilly F.
Harmful algae blooms threaten waterways worldwide, harming ecosystems and human health. Lilly explores turning this problem into a solution by transforming harvested algae into a biofertilizer. Her experiments could reduce chemical fertilizer use while repurposing pollution into productivity.
Ankith G.
Traditional wheelchairs often expose users to injuries caused by open spokes. Ankith designed a spokeless wheelchair — now under provisional patent review — that enhances safety, stability, and maneuverability while offering a sleek, minimalist design.
Lucida C.
After witnessing how strangers in Taipei made room for the elderly, Lucida was inspired to design smart insoles that help prevent falls. Her insoles use pressure sensors and adjustable air pockets to detect imbalance and provide real-time support — merging technology with compassion.
Audri A.
Athletes train their bodies to perform, but often neglect their minds. Audri surveyed hundreds of players and found that 85% reported nerves hurt their performance. She’s creating a mental-training program to strengthen both focus and confidence — improving athletic results from the inside out.
Come hear these inspiring talks — and more — at TEDxMeritAcademy on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Tickets available at tedxmeritacademy.com/tickets.
