Youth's power and passion can change the world | Maxwell Surprenant | TEDxConcordCarlisleHighSchool

Kids have so much to give- time, talent, creativity, care, imagination, and idealism. The best way for us to make a difference is to find what we like to do and use those interests and skills to help others. Maxwell describes his work as the co-creator of Catching Joy, which promotes volunteerism and acts of kindness beginning with kids, teens, and their families. Maxwell Surprenant, 15 years old, serves as Co-Founder and Creative Director of Catching Joy, Inc., a nonprofit which promotes volunteerism and acts of kindness beginning with kids, teens, and their families. His short film, "Catching Joy: The Impact of Giving Back," won Honorable Mention in the 2015 White House Student Film Festival, and he was honored to meet President Barack Obama. He attended the 2016 South by South Lawn: A White House Festival of Ideas, Art, and Action. Maxwell has earned national awards for service: John F. Kennedy "Make a Difference" Award, The Gloria Barron Prize, Peace First Challenge Prize, Lady Gaga's Born This Way "Channel Kindness" Award, GenerationOn's Hasbro Community Action Hero, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute Jimmy Fund Big Idea Winner. He won the 2017 “Digital4Good” Award and presented his ideas at Twitter HQ in San Francisco. Currently, Maxwell writes for HS Insider/ LA Times covering art, sports, and politics. He’s worked as a Kid Reporter for Sports Illustrated and Scholastic, for which he interviewed former First Lady Michelle Obama, former VP Joe Biden, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and journalist Anderson Cooper. Maxwell was the youngest reporter covering the 2016 Presidential Campaign and attended the Democratic National Convention. He won two National Medals in the 2018 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards- Journalism and Essay/Personal Memoir. Maxwell attends the St. Sebastian's School in Needham, MA. He’s active with art, music, theater, debate, soccer, and plays catcher for his school and travel baseball teams. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx