Extreme Makeover: Money Edition

Yesterday, we learned that Alexander Hamilton will remain on the face of the $10 bill, and Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist who led many slaves to freedom by way of the "underground railroad", will instead be replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. We also found out that the back of the 10 dollar bill will now be an image honoring all of the suffragettes who fought for women's right to vote and helped introduce the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution.

I think it's wonderful to acknowledge the efforts of "more recent" change-makers in our nation by placing icons of certain movements like slavery and women's suffrage on something that is so commonplace yet instrumental in our daily lives: our money.

There's still a lot of work that needs to be done to make sure that civil rights are never violated, but I'm so happy that we'll see reminders of the progress we've made as citizens and as a country every time we buy our Big Macs and apple pies.

I'm interested to see who will replace whom on our currency in the future? Maybe Bill Gates, maybe Kim Kardashian, maybe Donald Trump...only time will tell.

Harper Lee Dies at 89

“There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible.” -Harper Lee

It's sad to hear that Harper Lee has passed away. To Kill A Mockingbird was the first American "classic" that I read. It was arguably one of the best required readings I've encountered in an English course. Lee's book taught me so much about history, society, and personal morality. It taught me about the ugly things in this world in a very age-appropriate manner, and Lee was able to provide us a character who was courageous enough to challenge that ugliness even when he knows that he has no chance of succeeding and inspire an audience of readers to be the same.

There's a an inexplicable beauty to literature when it makes you like the story and the message so much that you feel a true connection with the author. I felt that connection with Harper Lee. And even though she is no longer alive, that connection will always be.

AJAS: Starting the Party

Today, I, along with some of my peers: Ashish Chowdary, Chandru Sundarrajan, Aditya Vaidya and Anagha Krishnan, arrived in Washington DC for the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) Research Symposium as part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference. We were invited to this conference as Lifetime Fellows of AJAS because of our success at the TJAS Research Competition this past October where we each won first place in our respective categories.

Over the next few days, we will present our research projects to scientists and academics, visit a national research institute like the NASA Goddard Space Research Center or the National Institute of Health, take a bus tour of the rest of the District of Columbia, meet other students doing research from all over the country, and most of all, have a blast!

It's going to be a very hectic couple of days, but we're super pumped to show off all of the hard work that we've put in to our individual projects.

Extra Yard for Teachers Summit

The Extra Yard for Teacher Summit was an awesome program to volunteer at this Saturday! The conference was held for educators to interact with other teachers and hear their stories through TED-style talks and breakout sessions. I got to meet many interesting people involved in helping kids become better students and citizens in and out of the classroom. To find out more visit ExtraYardSummit.org.

Thank you to Public City and the College Football Playoff for giving me the chance to be a part of this wonderful experience!

Having fun is actually pretty hard, Arthur

When I was much younger, I watched the PBS Kids show, Arthur, with my mom. The show was a big part of my childhood, and I still remember most of the episodes. Some episodes would even have musical numbers. One of my favorites was the "Library Card" song. The song was encouraging viewers to obtain a library card so they would read more books and have "fun" doing so. It was a great message, but it was a bit misleading.

The chorus goes as such:

Having fun isn't hard, When you've got a library card.

 And the rest of the song has phrases like:

Come on inside,
We've got everything you need.
There's plenty to do,
Or you can just sit and read.

and

And all you need's this little card
To borrow 'em for free!

and

You can take 'em home
So you don't have to
Read 'em in a hurry.

Arthur made it seem as though I could just walk in to a library, ask for this card, grab a book, and begin my adventure. However, today at the Frisco Public Library, when I asked for a card (I had always used my mom's card and today I thought that since I'm a big kid now, I should get my own) they asked me if I was eighteen. I wasn't and admitted it.

They proceeded to inform me that I needed a parent to fill out the application on my behalf because I wasn't "old enough". I was so excited to check out my library books under my own name and prove my coming of age, but I let a television show (that doesn't mention the complications of the legal system) get my hopes up. I walked out of the building with my head hung in shame that I couldn't even apply for something as simple as a library card...

Once I got home, I had an epiphany. I realized that it's the 21st century online piracy was a thing. But I stopped myself when I remembered something else that Arthur had addressed: "There are other ways to get what you want without stealing, D.W.". So I just used Overdrive to legally get an electronic version of the book I wanted.

Arthur almost made me a criminal, but also stopped me from making the wrong choices. I wonder what other decisions he's influenced in my life. What would I ever do without the helpful aardvark?

Thanksgiving 2015: 2+0+1+5=8 Things I'm Thankful For

Thanksgiving: a time when families come together and take a moment to realize how blessed they are. People's hearts are filled with gratitude and appreciation and a love for one another while their stomachs are filled with platefuls of delicious food.

Today, I want to share with you what I am thankful for. Some of these are cliches, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Instead, I find it wonderful that enough people are thankful for something that is so commonplace and taken for granted. The year was 2015, so I thought it was appropriate to list 8 things as 2+0+1+5=8.

The first thing that I am thankful for is family. My mom, dad, and brother have always been supportive, encouraging, and influential in everything that I have done.

My mom has always been one of my greatest role models. She's smart, funny, cultured, and cool. She's always been there to talk with even when she isn't too familiar with the subject (which is very rare; she's really smart). She's the one I (almost) always consult with before making a big decision.  She was there helping me achieve my Eagle Rank, she was there helping me start Philanthropy Kids, she was there helping me make a difference. She was there to help me become a better me. Thank you mom.

My dad has always been the family member who was the proudest of me. Every time I overhear a conversation that he's having with someone, he is talking about something I did. In Boy Scouts, my dad was the one who would bear the coldest, wettest, most intensive campouts just so he could be there with me on the other side. My dad has always believed in my ability to achieve greatness, and as long as his faith in my performance is there and as strong as it is, I can do anything. Thank you dad.

I always say that if I can't be as smart as my mom, at least make me as smart as Dave. My brother is one of the most inspiring characters in my life. His passion to learn some of the hardest and most challenges subjects and then teach others that subject is something that I admire in a person. His diligence and ability to get something done is something that I want to gain from him. He has started to accomplish so much and I couldn't be any prouder of him. Thank you Dave.

The second thing I am thankful for are the Dallas Cowboys for reminding me that Dallas can't be the best city for everything. Thank you for helping me realizing that perfection is unattainable, but if you have enough hope, maybe something will happen (not for them this season after that loss tonight).

The third thing that I'm thankful for are the relationships that I have been able to create with the people who I meet. I was taught from a very young age by parents, nannies, and teachers that caring for others and realizing that everyone has meaning and purpose is one of the most important things I could do as a human being. My life has been an journey of circumstances that add names, numbers, and email addresses to my contact list. Because I have been able to maintain the relationships with so many people and understand who they are as individuals rather than a homogeneous "society", I have gained, mentors, friends, brothers, sisters, and even students. I've met these characters at daycare, at school, through sports, at community events, in the neighborhood, and on airplanes or buses. Most of the time, the meetings were fortuitous, but it still happened. I have people who care about me and I have people whom I care deeply for. I'm so thankful for that.

The fourth thing that I am thankful for is a person who has helped me define my life. He is Bob Hopkins. He introduced me to philanthropy, gave the motivation to pursue it, and helped me find my purpose. He has always been wishing for my best and has mentored me and advised me whenever I needed his help. He is a pillar in the Dallas community and a pillar in my life.

The fifth thing that I'm thankful for are all of the teachers who have not only given me the knowledge that help me solve really hard crossword puzzles, but also given me the confidence to be proud about my intelligence and realize that "it's cool to be smart". I have developed a hunger for knowledge that at times feels insatiable. My teachers have given me opportunities to go out of my comfort zone and learn something that I had never even thought about engrossing myself in. My teachers have helped me relate to people better by having me collaborate with people who know significantly more or significantly less about a certain subject in hopes that I will either learn something remarkable or teach something remarkably. I love thinking, especially about how grateful I am for my teachers.

The sixth thing that I'm thankful for are the failures that I've faced. They have helped me learn more about other people and about myself. While I always reflect much of these incidents and I feel bad, I understand that it is in the past and the only option I have is to grow and move on. These failures range from times I've hurt someone's feelings to a business decisions gone awry. And now, I can tell some really cool stories about these failures and guise them as "advice". These failures have allowed to become a type of mentor. I am stronger because of my failures. I am thankful for my failures.

The seventh thing that I'm thankful for are grilled cheese sandwiches. Because dipping anything else in tomato soup when you're sick is just ridiculous. Also, because my mom makes the best ones. Thank you grilled cheese for reminding me that you don't have to be extravagant to be important.

The eighth thing that I'm thankful for is community. It's hard to describe in words, but I just love seeing people interact with each other. I like to see people becoming closer with one another and begin sharing life stories. I love seeing people care for their fellow man. I really like how many good people there are and how willing the usually are to stand up to the bad people. I really like how people come together an celebrate whatever it may be with friends and family. There's a warmth in a community that is driven by love even when the temperature starts to drop. Maybe that's why the holiday season just feels so good.

The holidays are the time when everyone gets closer to their neighbors, their families and their friends. Build the community and be sure to spread the joy.

Happy Holidays!

-Amit

Just Another Weekend as Amit Banerjee

This weekend TEDxSMU had its 7th annual TEDxSMU and TEDxKids conferences. I was so excited to again be a part of one of the biggest weekends in Dallas. This year was my 5th year with TEDxSMU and my 4th as Youth Advocate. I have seen all the different parts of the conference: I've been an attendee, volunteer, emcee, and presenter. I've become a part of the TEDxSMU family.

About three weeks ago, I was asked by Heather Hankamer, the director of TEDxSMU, to provide a recap of the TEDxKids event for the adults at the Saturday conference and talk about its impact. I was so honored to be given another opportunity to get up on the TED stage.

Maus Middle School reunion at TEDxKids

On Friday, as I walked into the Dallas City Performance Hall for TEDxKids@SMU, I saw middle schoolers running around outside with their high school "hosts" trying to keep up with them so they don't get lost. I knew already that today was going to be an amazing day with lots and lots of energy!

I went inside to pick up my name badge, and I go to find Heather. She explains to me that my role for that day was to play reporter. I was to take notes on EVERYTHING that happens. From the talks by the presenters to the laughs and cheers from the audience to the excitement of attendees to the discussions that the "hosts" are having with their groups, I wrote it all down. I was watching the talks, running around asking kids what they think about TED, getting quotes from the volunteers, helping the Young Fellows with whatever they needed, taking pictures with the different vendors, and talking with the presenters. It was very hectic, but was so much fun. I captured so many different perspectives about the conference that I felt I attended it at least a hundred times. Now, I was ready to prepare my presentation for the adults' conference.

Introducing the Catalyst Arts Movement on Friday

At the Saturday conference, I was watching the presentations and preparing my speech. I was making progress. I had gotten three weeks to mentally prepare myself, and now I have gotten about 18 hours to actually prepare my presentation. It was a bit of a challenge to get everything together, but I was ready...until about an hour before I was to get onstage. I was in the Green Room going over my talk when Kelly, one of the emcees, calls me out into the hallway to tell me something. She asked me if I was okay with introducing myself. I excitedly said "of course!". She asked me if I was okay with introducing the speaker after me. I hesitantly said "sure...". Then, Kelly told me that somewhere in the presentation, I needed to tell the audience members to check under their seats for cards with pieces of advice written on them by a TEDxKids attendee. I gave Kelly a look of confusion because I didn't know if I could incorporate that into my presentation, but I said that I'd do it because I knew it'd be a fun addition to a presentation about TEDxKids. After a little bit of reorganization, I added the surprise into my talk. With 45 minutes until my talk, I go to Kim and David Leeson, the couple who were taking and processing pictures of both events, to get a couple of pictures from TEDxKids so I could make a powerpoint to accompany the talk. They said they'd send them my way as soon as they got the chance.

It was crunch time. The audience was just dismissed for a snack break before the last session. I knew I needed to finish the powerpoint fast. The pictures of kids from Friday were finally sent to me, and I quickly made the powerpoint and sent it to the stage crew. The adults were still on their break, and Rives, the other emcee, comes to me and tells me that he's going to add ANOTHER surprise to the already content-filled presentation: he said that the Catalyst Arts Movement was going to come onto the stage and use the slingshot to throw stress balls into the audience, just like they did the day before. It was at this point when I realized that I may have taken too much on my plate and I was more than overwhelmed. I agreed to have them come on and gave them a phrase that would be their cue. So now, I had to introduce myself, give the TEDxKids presentation that involves telling the audience to pick up the advice cards and bringing out a stress ball slingshot, AND introduce the next speaker. I didn't know how I was going to do this. This sure was #UNXPECTED

After the attendees went inside to watch the last session, I stayed outside and talked with Andres and Sofia Ruzo. They assured me that Kelly and Rives know about my abilities as a speaker, and they wouldn't have given me these responsibilities if they knew that I couldn't knock it out of the park. I realized that Andres was right. I could do this, and I could do it well!

Onstage with Joaquin Zihuatanejo
after the conference

After Joaquin Zihuatanejo gives a heart-wrenching talk, I went up onto the TED stage and introduced myself (check) and began my recap; I talked about what TEDxKids is, why we have it, and how everything happens (check). During this, I told the audience to check under their seats for the advice cards (check) and called out the Catalyst Arts Movement and began to launch t-shirts and stress balls into the audience (check). I concluded my talk about TEDxKids and introduced An Ranson, the next speaker (check). I was walking offstage and I was elated!




There's something magical about the red dot on the TED stage. Once you step on it, all of your fear and nervousness vanish. I was anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed about my presentation even though I had been on that stage five times before. Because of the faith that Kelly, Rives, Heather, Andres, Sofia, my parents and several others had in my abilities, I was able to talk as though I had prepared for weeks. It was definitely one of the most exhilarating learning experiences I've ever had.


TEDxKids and TEDxSMU were again an experience like no other, and I can't wait for it all again next year!

You can watch my talk at http://livestream.com/tedx/TEDxSMU2015/videos/102190777 just at the 3:34:00 mark

-Amit