Theme: Illuminate Unseen

"Illuminate Unseen" symbolizes our focus on topics, ideas, and perspectives that may be overlooked, marginalized, or forgotten in the present moment, and those themes that resonate within the realm of the undefined. Rather than being defined by a single overarching theme, this event embraces a broad spectrum of viewpoints to explore various thoughts, issues, and challenges. Through sharing and discussion, we aim to shed light on these overlooked aspects and use them as the foundation to inspire future perspectives.

The purpose of this event is to stimulate participants to contemplate and explore a myriad of topics, encouraging them to examine the world from different angles, and collectively discuss how to address current challenges and opportunities. Each talk represents an in-depth exploration of a specific theme while also resonating with and extending the overarching theme of the entire event. Through "Illuminate Unseen," we hope to ignite sparks of thought in participants, enlighten their minds, and find hope and direction for the future through shared wisdom.

The Stony Brook School
1 Chapman Parkway
Carson Auditorium
Stony Brook, New York, 11790
United States

Angelina Zhang

Student

Hailing from Long Island, New York, Angelina Zhang found her love for international politics during the summer of fifth grade. A sophomore at the Stony Brook School, she enjoys getting involved in various councils and activities around campus, such as being the Director of Communications for the International Council. Outside of school, she attends the Manhattan School of Music Precollege as a classical voice major, while also being a violinist and pianist. Angelina is the President of two clubs for a non-profit organization: a Music Club, as well as a Community Outreach Club that she founded back in 2022 when she was in 7th grade. In pursuit of her passion for politics, she serves on her town’s Youth Board, in addition to working with local elected officials. In her TEDx Talk, she hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders to understand the importance of foreign policy and diplomacy in the modern world.

Ava Zhou

Student

My name is Ava Zhou, and I’m a senior this year. I’m excited to share about the things that have helped me on my mental health journey. I hope to offer some hope and insight to those facing similar challenges.

Caswell Nilsen

History Faculty

Caswell Nilsen teaches history at the Stony Brook School on Long Island, NY. He has taught a variety of different subjects, from US, European, World, and Art history. He has also coached sailing, ice hockey, soccer, squash, and wrestling. HIs academic interests are wide-ranging, but he has focused on Soviet history and nineteenth-century American. When not teaching, coaching, or reading, you can find him out walking the streets of Stony Brook with his two ridgebacks, Haedde and Tostig.

David Liu

Student

David Liu, a student from China, is a passionate advocate for intellectual exploration, particularly in the realms of philosophy, law, literature, and social justice. He has presented at the Yale Student Speaker Series, and his diverse interests span literature, ethics, and the intersection of technology and learning. Recognized by the Scholastic Awards, Duke University, and Oxford University, amongst many others, David’s work reflects both academic rigor and creative vision. Outside of his studies, he finds solace in playing the piano, attending classical music concerts, and capturing the world’s beauty through photography. Committed to personal growth and challenging the status quo, David inspires others to pursue their passions and embrace bold ideas.

Isabel Guo

Student

Isabel Guo is a senior in high school from Long Island, NY. She loves playing tennis, oil painting, and learning to play different instruments. Although science classes are her favorite, she enjoys writing and is a member of her school's journal team. While she often contemplates the applicability of school course topics and curriculum, many of her questions were answered through an opportunity to research the role of non-coding RNAs in lung cancer. She hopes to provide a little bit of insight about microRNA, a commonly understudied topic in high school.

Jason Lu

Student

Jason Lu is a senior from Stony Brook, Long Island who loves to row and play classical guitar. When not on the water competing or in his room listening to the beautiful and resounding melody, he loves to challenge himself with abstruse books and fundamental questions of life: is there an ultimate being? If not, does the value system and human teleology altogether collapse? Slowly walking under the deciduous tree with golden leaves, or staring at a ladybird crawling strenuously under the blue sky’s vast expanse, he dedicates his entire existence to the enigma of life.

Jerry Zhao

Student

Jerry is a lively and cheerful person. He does not like to be defined or constrained. Sometimes he will do some cool and free things, such as staying up all night to watch the sunrise.

Mia Jones

Student

Mia Jones is a junior with a love for literature and a commitment to sharing her curiosity of the developing mind. She enjoys observing the effects of government decisions and theorizing potential improvements. Motivated by her passion to create a better future, she hopes to share her ideas and concerns surrounding education. Her interest in this topic originated in her enjoyment of politics and discovery of neurologically based readings on learning. In her talk, she aims to share a better understanding of how easily influenced youths' minds are and a healthy balance between government and education.