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Maxwell Surprenant delivers message of youth empowerment at a TEDx event in Concord, Massachusetts (Photo by Joy Olaes Surprenant)

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Saint Sebastian's School

TEDxTalk: Youth’s power and passion can change the world

Kids are always asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and it has always perplexed me. Well-meaning people tell me, “Someday you are going to make a difference.”  Someday? No way, I’m changing the world right now. I’m 16 years old, a sophomore in high school. I’m an activist, journalist, filmmaker,…
<a href="https://highschool.latimes.com/author/baseballblogger12/" target="_self">Maxwell Surprenant</a>

Maxwell Surprenant

March 30, 2020

Kids are always asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and it has always perplexed me.

Well-meaning people tell me, “Someday you are going to make a difference.” 

Someday? No way, I’m changing the world right now.

I’m 16 years old, a sophomore in high school. I’m an activist, journalist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. 

In my 2019 TEDxTalk, I offer my advice for young change makers: 1) Find what you are good at and what you would love to do, and use your gifts to lift up others. 2) Think about what makes you sad or angry. Find your passion and power and use it as your driving force.

Don’t wait to do something. No matter how old or young we are, we can work together and set the world in the right direction.

 

Opinion: An Assault on Education

Opinion: An Assault on Education

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Earlier last month, the Supreme Court struck down race-conscious admissions in cases against Harvard and the University of North California. Just one day later, they ruled that the Biden Administration overstepped with their plan to wipe out $400 billion in student...