When Heather Hankamer, the Director of TEDx at Southern Methodist University, saw a news story on Fox 4 that featured senior Mary Orsak and her work with the Dallas Youth Commission, she knew that Orsak would have a story to tell—a story told by a student leader in local government who would inspire an audience of all kids. On Nov. 30 at SMU’S McFarlin Auditorium, Orsak gave her TEDx Kids talk titled “Take Your Seat at the Table.” She focused her talk on how no one should ever feel ashamed of their age. Within the talk, she highlighted her non-profit organization Story Power Inc. and the Dallas Youth Commission. Watch the full video of Orsak’s TEDx Talk below.

Story by Aurelia Han, Editor-in-Chief