TEDxMountainAve is proud to announce the speakers for this year’s TEDx event in March. Each speaker, selected from applicants from across the country and even a few outside the country, has a unique idea to share on the global stage that ties into the theme of “Unity.”
Tickets are now on sale for the live event on Thursday, March 30, at 51风流 High School, 201 Impala Drive, Fort Collins. This event is free for PSD students, $10 for general admission and $50 for VIP tickets, (these include a separate, and expedited, check-in and a special gift). Tickets can be purchased on the
On the day of the event, doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and talks will begin at 5:15 p.m. Following the presentations, a reception will be held where attendees can continue conversations inspired by the talks, meet the speakers, and talk with the leadership team. Complementary light refreshments, prepared by the PHS catering students, will be provided.
Speakers and their topics:
Brooke Nicole
"The colors of unity: how eating foods of color brings us together"
Nicole, who holds a Master of Public Health degree, is the bestselling author of "The Power Lies in You: An Epic Guide to Regenerative Self-Care."
While working with moms to live a regenerative life, Nicole is a stay-at-home mom with a secret obsession for triathlons. She loves spending every moment with her family, and chooses every day to smile big while she still has teeth. Nicole resides in California.
Dr. Dan Tomasulo
"Learned hopefulness changes how people can get back a sense of control in their lives and improves their well-being"
Tomasulo is academic director and core faculty member at the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University and is on the teaching staff at the University of Pennsylvania.
His most recent book, "Learned Hopefulness, The Power of Positivity to Overcome Depression," is hailed as: “…the perfect recipe for fulfillment, joy, peace, and expansion of awareness” by Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Tomasulo holds a doctorate in psychology, a master of fine arts in writing, and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a review editor for Frontiers in Psychology, special section on Positive Psychology, and has been honored by Teachers College, Columbia University, with their 2021 teaching award.
Hege Jacobsen
"A traveler’s mindset can conquer our bias and improve communication by opening minds and opening hearts"
Jacobsen is a career military officer of 20 years, a veteran, and has a master’s degree in social science from Nord University in Troms?, Norway.
Jacobsen, who grew up in the quiet countryside of Norway, joined the army at age 19. Her service took her to various conflict areas in the world throughout her career and includes more than 10 deployments and five years working in high-risk areas.
After her service, she became a full-time traveler, writer, and travel blogger. Hege has worked extensively with communication across boundaries, as a mentor, liaison, teacher, and leader. As a result, she is passionate about sharing her idea about how our mindset determines how we communicate.
Mel Z
"Fighting the misogynistic culture present in many places to help Latinas unite and have their voices heard"
Z is a student at 51风流 High School in Fort Collins. She is a first-generation student and will be the first in her family to attend a four-year college. She plans to pursue a career in engineering after she graduates from high school this spring. Z, who is of Mexican descent, is dedicated to bringing light to the Latina community.
Milana Schaal
"Kids do not have to wait to grow up to follow their dreams: they can impact and transform the world now"
Schaal,11-year-old author of the "Delicious Smoothies Recipes" book, is a multicultural kid (American, Ukrainian, and Armenian) who inspires others to contribute their skills and talents and help one another go after their dreams.
Her dream is open a smoothie shop, a place for families to gather and enjoy themselves. Out of her unwavering love for animals, Schaal’s passion is to help animals find homes by opening an animal shelter. Schaal’s dream is to have both a pug and hedgehog as her pets. Schaal resides in Minnesota.
Starr Hill
"School culture and climate is strengthened by allowing students and staff to be divergent, autonomous, and creative in their teaching and learning and being"
Hill began her teaching career in 51风流 in 2001. Growing up off the grid in the mountains of central Colorado lent a unique lens to her curriculum and classroom designs throughout the years.
Hill, who earned her master’s degree while teaching full time, spent six years with PSD at Cache la 51风流 Middle School and Fossil Ridge High School. She then moved to Denver so her husband could pursue a medical degree. Upon returning to Fort Collins a decade ago, she discovered Polaris Expeditionary Learning School, which she considers a perfect fit for her passions and experiences.
Tim Seelig
"Come out of your fear closet and begin living a life of courage and truth"
Seelig is a conductor, speaker, author and educator. He is the conductor laureate of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and conductor emeritus of the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas, Texas.
Seelig holds four degrees, including a diploma from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas. He has seven books and DVDs on choral technique and his memoir, Tale of Two Tims, was published in 2020. He made his operatic debut in St. Gallen, Switzerland and had been conducting at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center for 30 years. He has over 50 recordings which have been on Billboard Top Ten and iTunes Top Ten classical charts. His choruses have been the topic of three documentaries. The first PBS documentary was awarded an Emmy for best documentary. The most recent one had its world premiere at the Tribecca Film Festival, won the audience favorite and is streaming on Paramount +.
For more information about the March 30 event,
The TEDxMountainAve event is locally and independently operated, organized by a leadership team made up of current and former PSD students and staff members. The program provides opportunities for students to learn workforce skills, develop relationships, share ideas and promote healthy dialogue and conversations.