TEDx at DBS inspires conversation and debate about the idea of “pursuit”

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Angelina Wang
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An inspiring TEDx event hosted by a group of students from Diocesan Boys’ School inspired the audience with their thought provoking speeches

Angelina Wang |
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Acapella group AKA Harmonic singing A Million Dreams.

What are ideas worth spreading, and how can we advance them as young individuals? Last Friday, a group of boys from Diocesan Boys’ School sought to answer these questions by hosting their very own TEDx. The event featured some inspirational ideas on the theme of “pursuit”.

With three very different but equally captivating speeches, the first half of the event was very interesting.

A captivating start

The first speaker was photographer and film producer Joyce Yung. She told her story of pursuing her passion for photography and how she eventually ended up with a job she truly loved. Although there were bumps along the road, the saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again” rang true in the end. Joyce’s speech was both inspiring and fascinating.

The speaker that followed was no less entertaining, with Harrison Li capturing the hearts of the audience with his funny and heartfelt story about his life. He had battled atopic dermatitis, or eczema, for many years, and had at last found a cure – thanks to a healthy lifestyle and exercise.

Before the break, well-known legislator and entrepreneur Michael Tien Puk-sun spoke to the audience about his many pursuits in life. He talked about the time he designed clothes for local fashion brand G2000. The most uplifting part was hearing how dedicated he is to providing a high-quality English education to less fortunate children, and that he really cared about them.

Ady Lam, 13, Island School

Putting on a show

Then came two stellar performances from a couple of home-grown student groups. The first act was The Faulty Royals, a group of four girls. They performed a unique mashup of We Are by One Ok Rock and Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons. This was followed by Diocesan Boys’ School’s very own a capella group, AKA Harmonic, who performed a rendition of A Million Dreams from the movie The Greatest Showman. The audience was mesmerised by the inspirational lyrics and soulful vocals.

Angelina Wang, 16, Chinese International School

Ending with inspiration

After the intermission, more speakers took to the stage. The sudden absence of a speaker challenged the co-organiser, Rohit Kumar Verma, who went on to share his feelings about the event on stage.

Introducing his ideas, Gino Yu – Head of the Multimedia Innovation Centre at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University – challenged the education system’s lack of student development. After highlighting what should be done to better educate children, he ended by interpreting Kahlil Gibran’s On Children.

After finding out the alarming number of teen pregnancies in Hong Kong, Phyllis Marwah, who co-founded Mother’s Choice. Now in its 30th year, Mother’s Choice continues to provide a safe, loving and permanent family to young mothers and children.

Then, popular educator Till Kraemer captured the audience with his humour. Recounting moments he spent with his girlfriend, Till accentuated the value of science and knowledge. He brought out that though all may see you as a weirdo, you should not give up learning. He ended is talk by outlining how to “awaken the nerd”.

Sherrie Mak, 16, St Claire’s Girls’ School

Edited by Nicole Moraleda

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