Tracy Lee Stum is an internationally recognized American streetpainter who specializes in spectacular, interactive 3d chalk art street paintings. A visionary and master in the chalk art world, Tracy’s mind-blowing dimensional images continue to ‘wow’, inspire and amaze viewers around the globe.
Richard Dreyfuss is an Activist and a spokesperson on the issue of media informing policy, legislation, and public opinion, both speaking and writing to express his sentiments in favor of privacy, freedom of speech, democracy, and individual accountability. With an entertainment career spanning more than four decades, Academy Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss has been one of America’s most versatile and individualistic actors. As a Community Leader, his current focus and passion is to encourage, revive, elevate and enhance the teaching of civics in American Schools. He is the Founder of the non-profit organization, www.TheDreyfussInitiative.org. and is leading a nation wide effort to bring back civics to our American youth: “All people have a right to know who they are and why they are who they are. Clarity of thought and honesty in self-reflection are more than needed utilities – they are the building blocks of our national moral character.” (From: Why I Love My Country). Richard also serves on the committee for Education with the American Bar Association, 12 years on the Board of the National Constitution Center, a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and served as Senior Research Advisory Member of St. Antony’s College, Oxford University.
Formerly homeless, Liz Murray transformed her life of despair into an inspiring journey of determination, hope and hard-won success. Her personal and powerful story has been featured on Oprah and made into a motion picture. Liz travels across the country inspiring people from all walks of life to succeed in the face of adversity, hardship and personal struggle.
Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn and Jonnie Penn set out in an old RV to complete a list of “100 Things We Want To Do Before We Die,” and help out strangers along the way accomplish something their own lists. What began as a personal mission among friends has blossomed into a hit MTV show based on the lives of four young men who dedicate themselves to making peoples’ dreams come true.
Jason Russell is one of the original founders of the media-driven nonprofit Invisible Children, Inc. A graduate of USC Production Film School, his experience in film has run the gamut – he’s co-directed a documentary seen by millions, sold his musical “Moxie” to Steven Spielberg, and served as the assistant to the director for Disney’s blockbuster Step Up 2. His revolutionary approach to humanitarian work has put Russell at the forefront of a generational movement for peace, and he continues to serve as a keynote speaker across the country, empowering youth to become more involved in the global landscape.
David Schenone is the Innovation Director for Global Footwear for NIKE, Inc. An avid runner, Schenone grew up in the Bay Area near Silicon Valley in the mid 1970s during the Bill Bowerman craze, the Co-Founder of NIKE, Inc. and former University of Oregon Track Coach. Schenone has found for over 19 years at Nike, that the best way to build a better relationship with Nike athletes is to get on their level – to endure the obstacles they face. He has competed in 18 ironman competitions and his greatest ideas of creativity and innovation come from his long runs and bike rides. Schenone’s experiences have helped him in all aspects of his job- from concept work to technologies for design in running and customization insights for NIKEiD.
Schenone has received multiple national design awards, but what brings him the most reward are his two boys (both enrolled in design school) and teaching others what they need to be successful.
Mark Hixon is a marine biologist at Oregon State University who specializes on understanding the ecology of coral reefs. A Fulbright Senior Scholar and Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow, Mark has published scientific studies of reefs in Australia, French Polynesia, Hawaii, the Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands. In 2003, he was recognized by ISI Citation Index as the most cited American scientific author on coral reefs. Located in shallow tropical waters, coral reefs are both the rainforests and the canaries of the seas. As rainforests, reefs are incredibly beautiful and support a huge variety of fascinating species, as well as many goods and services for humankind. As canaries, reefs cover less than 1% of the world ocean and are increasingly disappearing due to human activities. Mark now spends much of his time communicating the importance of saving these remaining jewels of the sea.
Adora Svitak is a writer of over 300 short-stories, a poet and a humanitarian who hopes to use her own success to inspire other young people to take more of an interest in reading and writing. Adora is an incredibly motivational young speaker who believes that everyone deserves the opportunities that come with literacy and a meaningful education.
A skilled musician who plays both piano and violin, fifteen-year-old Adrianna Svitak enjoys listening to bands and artists ranging from Beethoven to the Beatles to Beyonce. She has won awards at numerous piano competitions, and is concertmistress for the Redmond Junior High Honors Orchestra. In 2009, she was concertmistress for the All-State Junior Orchestra. Adrianna’s artistic interests extend far beyond piano and violin, however-she also loves to sing, dance, and draw. She is the entertainment curator for TEDxRedmondof 2010 and 2011.
A 15-year old entrepreneur who founded Pencil Bugs at age nine. He is also the author of Bitten by the Business Bug: Common Sense Tips for Business and Life from a Teen Entrepreneur at age fourteen. Jason speaks extensively and motivates young audiences with a simple but successful mantra, “Try Your Ideas.”
Patrick Ivison sustained a spinal cord injury when he was run over by a car as a small child; however, that has never slowed this active teenager down. Now a 17 year old high school senior, Patrick is a motivational speaker and adaptive surfer. He is the first disabled member of the Lost Surf Team and is a member of his high school surf team. He has appeared on the Today Show, E! Entertainment, Transworld Surf Magazine, MTV, Fuel TV, the Oprah Winfrey Network and countless other publications and news outlets around the world. In 2009 he traveled with two other disabled athletes to Costa Rica to film a feature length documentary on adaptive surfing called “Charlie Don’t Surf”, now available. He surfs in Us Open of Surfing as ambassador for Life Rolls On.
Nina Church, co-founder of Nika Water, is a rising senior at La Jolla Country Day School. In addition to being active in extracurricular clubs such as Model UN, Mock Trial, and Free the Children, Ms. Church serves as Associated Student Body President next year. Ms. Church spent this past summer working as a facilitator for Me to We trips in Kenya, and speaks nationally on behalf of Nika on the world water crisis as well as on youth empowerment.
Josh Church, co-founder of Nika Water, is a rising junior at La Jolla Country Day School. He has been an active member of student council, and is currently serving as the junior class President. Mr. Church lettered as a Varsity football athlete as a sophomore and was named MVP of the Junior Varsity team. Josh serves on the Free the Children Board of Directors, an organization of children helping children eradicate poverty, and interns at Flank Marketing. Mr. Church has been to Kenya three times to help build schools and water systems.
Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs Global Warming, is one of the leading young voices in the US on the issue of climate change, calling the “ruling generation” to consider the needs of his and future generations in their actions. Now 17 years old and entering his senior year of high school in Ventura CA, Alec has been a climate change activist for 4 years and spoken to over 200,000 people on panels with experts, in presentations at schools, museums, conferences, and the UN and a popular keynote speaker throughout the world. Alec inspires youth to get involved in bringing about change in their families, their schools and their communities.
Twenty-one-year-old graduate of Canyon Crest Academy who started Save the Sudan Club and raised $10,000 to build a well in Africa. Because of her hard work in this club, she was featured in a photography book called RARE by Nicole Maloney, along with people such as John McCain, Cindy Crawford, and the Lost Boys. She was also named one of the 35 under-35 leaders of San Diego for the year of 2010 by the San Diego News Network.
Known for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake Shimabukuro is a master of the ukulele. Not only does he play styles previously “taboo” on the four-string, two-octave instrument, but he also creates music never before thought possible. While Jake has great respect and love for traditional Hawaiian ukulele music, his mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more.
A singer/songwriter from Australia on an eternal quest to write the song that touches that chord in everyone. He tries to breakdown stereotypes for young aspiring musicians (i.e. there is no direct link between trashing hotels and making good music). Coulter carved his first guitar from a eucalyptus tree and set out to bring an end to the raging roo/koala feud with songs promoting social justice, good times and the simple joys of life.
Dancer. Leader. Teacher. These are just some of the hats that Danny V. Batimana has worn throughout his career. Currently, he manages the Poreotics Dance Crew (winners of America’s Best Dance Crew season 5) and is the founder of Team Millennia (contestants of ABDC season 3). His Happiness is NOW youth movement reminds those to not dwell upon the past or stress about the future; rather to live in the NOW…
Established in 1998, Team Millennia (TM) representing Orange County, CA is celebrating its 14th year as one of California’s premiere hip hop dance teams. TM is comprised of 35 passionate, driven and experienced dancers who carry on the traditions of class and professionalism. Team Millennia holds annual auditions, which is how founder Danny V. Batimana handpicked its current performers. They’ve won top honors in more than 20 competitions like Vibe, Fusion, and appeared on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew season 3.
