Rashi Akki
Rashi Akki launched Ag-Grid Energy in 2016 with a vision to drive dairy farm sustainability by converting agricultural and organic waste to renewable energy, enhance farm management practices thereby improving farm viability and financial stability. Prior to launching Ag-Grid Energy LLC, Dr. Akki worked for 20 years at the chemical company DuPont. Dr. Akki held senior positions in central R&D, DuPont Titanium Technologies, Nonwovens and Industrial Biosciences. The experience at Industrial Biosciences introduced Dr. Akki to advanced biofuels and biogas. Currently Dr. Akki is a member of American Biogas Council and MABEC (Mid-Atlantic Biomass Energy Council). Dr. Akki received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University, M.S from University of Connecticut and Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Rashi Akki launched Ag-Grid Energy in 2016 with a vision to drive dairy farm sustainability by converting agricultural and organic waste to renewable energy, enhance farm management practices thereby improving farm viability and financial stability. Prior to launching Ag-Grid Energy LLC, Dr. Akki worked for 20 years at the chemical company DuPont. Dr. Akki held senior positions in central R&D, DuPont Titanium Technologies, Nonwovens and Industrial Biosciences. The experience at Industrial Biosciences introduced Dr. Akki to advanced biofuels and biogas. Currently Dr. Akki is a member of American Biogas Council and MABEC (Mid-Atlantic Biomass Energy Council). Dr. Akki received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University, M.S from University of Connecticut and Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Joanna Johnson
Joanna Johnson has been a Spanish teacher at Unionville High School since 2000 and serves as co-advisor to the school’s chapter of the Spanish Honor Society. Mrs. Johnson graduated with honors from Randolph-Macon College with a BA in English and Spanish. After a 5-year career in advertising, Mrs. Johnson realized that her true passion was teaching and began a Master’s Degree in Spanish from Temple University. She transferred from Temple University to West Chester University and graduated from there with a Master’s degree in Spanish and Education in 2004. Mrs. Johnson lives in Downingtown, PA with her husband, Paul, and sons, Elliott and Henry. After Elliott and Henry were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2007, she became involved with the national non-profit organization, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), focused on research and treatments for the disease. From 2009-2019, the Johnsons, along with family and friends, organized and directed Unionville Run for our Sons, a 5K hosted at the middle school campus that raised over a half a million dollars for PPMD. She participates yearly in PPMD’s advocacy conference in Washington DC, meeting with Senators and Representatives about the needs of the Duchenne community. Mrs. Johnson has also been a speaker at various conferences to talk about the effects of Duchenne upon the family and the clinical trial experience. She served on the Board of Trustees for PPMD from 2015-2021.
Joanna Johnson has been a Spanish teacher at Unionville High School since 2000 and serves as co-advisor to the school’s chapter of the Spanish Honor Society. Mrs. Johnson graduated with honors from Randolph-Macon College with a BA in English and Spanish. After a 5-year career in advertising, Mrs. Johnson realized that her true passion was teaching and began a Master’s Degree in Spanish from Temple University. She transferred from Temple University to West Chester University and graduated from there with a Master’s degree in Spanish and Education in 2004. Mrs. Johnson lives in Downingtown, PA with her husband, Paul, and sons, Elliott and Henry. After Elliott and Henry were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2007, she became involved with the national non-profit organization, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), focused on research and treatments for the disease. From 2009-2019, the Johnsons, along with family and friends, organized and directed Unionville Run for our Sons, a 5K hosted at the middle school campus that raised over a half a million dollars for PPMD. She participates yearly in PPMD’s advocacy conference in Washington DC, meeting with Senators and Representatives about the needs of the Duchenne community. Mrs. Johnson has also been a speaker at various conferences to talk about the effects of Duchenne upon the family and the clinical trial experience. She served on the Board of Trustees for PPMD from 2015-2021.
Vedha Masuraha ('24)
Vedha Masuraha is inspired by those around her who pursue what they are truly passionate about. As a junior at Unionville High School, she has seen firsthand the results of people, specifically women, shying away from going after what genuinely interests them. In her TEDx talk, she will be exploring the idea of how women have been continuously denied a voice in society, the impacts that has on women, and how society needs to become more open-minded. She hopes to empower and show others that they have the ability to speak up and stand up for what they believe in.
Vedha Masuraha is inspired by those around her who pursue what they are truly passionate about. As a junior at Unionville High School, she has seen firsthand the results of people, specifically women, shying away from going after what genuinely interests them. In her TEDx talk, she will be exploring the idea of how women have been continuously denied a voice in society, the impacts that has on women, and how society needs to become more open-minded. She hopes to empower and show others that they have the ability to speak up and stand up for what they believe in.
April Chou ('24)
April is a current junior at Unionville High School who is inspired to make an impact on her community. She is a flier for the varsity cheerleading team and has been named a 2022 All-American cheerleader. Additionally, April is involved in other activities around school, including the Unionville Post, National Honor Society, French Honor Society, student council, and various clubs. For a long time, she has kept quiet about a period in her past when she struggled with an eating disorder. April feels that it is time for her story to be heard by sharing her speech. Through her words, she hopes to influence others to realize that there is always hope and that our history does not define the future.
April is a current junior at Unionville High School who is inspired to make an impact on her community. She is a flier for the varsity cheerleading team and has been named a 2022 All-American cheerleader. Additionally, April is involved in other activities around school, including the Unionville Post, National Honor Society, French Honor Society, student council, and various clubs. For a long time, she has kept quiet about a period in her past when she struggled with an eating disorder. April feels that it is time for her story to be heard by sharing her speech. Through her words, she hopes to influence others to realize that there is always hope and that our history does not define the future.
Ian Coutinho ('25)
Ian Coutinho is a student who is very dedicated to school. He is involved in many clubs and challenging courses as a sophomore at Unionville High School. Ian is a leader of the Computer Science Club, a debater for the Speech and Debate team, and a piano player, and he has competed in all of these activities. Therefore, he has seen many other talented competitors throughout his years of competing. In his TEDx talk, Ian will be speaking about competition in life. He hopes to bring attention to how to avoid the humans’ competitive nature and how it affects us.
Ian Coutinho is a student who is very dedicated to school. He is involved in many clubs and challenging courses as a sophomore at Unionville High School. Ian is a leader of the Computer Science Club, a debater for the Speech and Debate team, and a piano player, and he has competed in all of these activities. Therefore, he has seen many other talented competitors throughout his years of competing. In his TEDx talk, Ian will be speaking about competition in life. He hopes to bring attention to how to avoid the humans’ competitive nature and how it affects us.
Angelina Zhang ('26)
Angelina Zhang is currently a freshman at Unionville High School. She plays the violin in orchestra, competes in Public Forum on the Speech and Debate team, and participates in a variety of other clubs such as Med Club and the Unionville Post. Outside of school, she enjoys playing piano and playing volleyball for her club team. Angelina has always been fascinated by how people are affected by what others say. In her TEDx talk, she will be exploring how it affects the way people think when they are told that they are smart.
Angelina Zhang is currently a freshman at Unionville High School. She plays the violin in orchestra, competes in Public Forum on the Speech and Debate team, and participates in a variety of other clubs such as Med Club and the Unionville Post. Outside of school, she enjoys playing piano and playing volleyball for her club team. Angelina has always been fascinated by how people are affected by what others say. In her TEDx talk, she will be exploring how it affects the way people think when they are told that they are smart.
Michael Ta ('24)
Michael Ta is currently a junior at Unionville High School. He is involved with the school's FBLA club and med club, as well as being a participant in Science Olympiad. He also plays hockey for the Unionville Boys Ice Hockey team and a club team outside of school. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his friends and writing poetry.
Through his TEDx talk, Michael hopes to inspire others about the power of sharing your own story and being comfortable with vulnerability.
Michael Ta is currently a junior at Unionville High School. He is involved with the school's FBLA club and med club, as well as being a participant in Science Olympiad. He also plays hockey for the Unionville Boys Ice Hockey team and a club team outside of school. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his friends and writing poetry.
Through his TEDx talk, Michael hopes to inspire others about the power of sharing your own story and being comfortable with vulnerability.
Sreyas Sai ('24)
Sreyas Sai is a current Junior at Unionville High School. Sreyas is a part of the Future Business Leaders of America club, a participant in Speech and Debate, an athlete on the Unionville Boys Soccer Team, and a competitor on the Science Olympiad team at UHS. Besides activities at UHS, Sreyas enjoys playing club soccer, playing sports with his friends, and playing video games. With his TEDx speech, Sreyas aims to bring light to a rising technology that could answer the pressing problems of transportation and the environment.
Sreyas Sai is a current Junior at Unionville High School. Sreyas is a part of the Future Business Leaders of America club, a participant in Speech and Debate, an athlete on the Unionville Boys Soccer Team, and a competitor on the Science Olympiad team at UHS. Besides activities at UHS, Sreyas enjoys playing club soccer, playing sports with his friends, and playing video games. With his TEDx speech, Sreyas aims to bring light to a rising technology that could answer the pressing problems of transportation and the environment.
