One hundred students from the San Ramon Valley Unified School District will have the opportunity to learn about "ideas worth spreading" on Nov. 10 at the district's first TEDxYouth conference.

A nonprofit organization developed 25 years ago, TED brings speakers, video and community together in support of world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The 6-hour TEDxYouth@Mt.Diablo event will feature nine noteworthy speakers who will deliver powerful, 18-minute messages related to the theme of "Making Ideas Happen."

"It's focused around innovation in particular, but I think it's meant to not only inform students and educate students around that theme but also to inspire them to dream big," said district Community Relations Coordinator Terry Koehne.

District officials don't look at students as future leaders, but the young leaders of today, Koehne added. The youth event was created with the notoriety of TED in mind, coupled with the potential impact on high school kids in the community.

"The group of speakers that we have put together will really be able to touch these kids lives and hopefully the students will make the conscious choice…to sort of pay it forward and make a difference in their community," Koehne said.

Speakers at the Mt. Diablo event include former Blue Angels leader and renowned team work speaker George Dom; Nishad Singh, a high school student and world record holder for fastest 100 mile race under age 17; and award-winning author and globe circumnavigator Larry Jacobson. In addition to the presenters, there will also be three TED-approved video presentations and a special message from gold medal Olympian Maggie Steffens.

"We wanted it to have somewhat of a local feel…. partly to show students that people who have grown up here, gone to school her, and have been successful can choose to come back and give back to their community," Koehne added.

A maximum of 20 students from each of the area's four high schools, five from alternative schools and 10 at-large students completed an online survey about their passions and why they wanted to attend TEDxYouth@Mt.Diablo. First TEDx events are limited to 100 attendees, though future events have no set capacity.

TEDxYouth@Mt.Diablo will be held at the Village Theatre in Danville from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The event coincides with Universal Children's Day and will run in conjunction with other TEDx events designed to inspire curiosity, ignite new ideas and empower young leaders.

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