Apply to Speak
Any high school student in the greater Cleveland area can apply. No GPA requirement. No prior speaking experience. One thing gets judged: the strength of your idea.
Applications Open
Deadline: May 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM— Hard deadline, no extensions.
Four things. One email.
The Round 1 application has four parts. Send everything to tedxhuntingvalley@gmail.com before May 11 at 11:59 PM. There is no portal, no form, and no fee. Your application is evaluated entirely on the quality of what you submit.
Talk title
A clear, specific title for your proposed talk.
200-word core idea summary
What is the idea? What does the audience need to understand, believe, or feel differently by the end?
400-600 word talk excerpt
A section of your proposed talk, written the way you would actually say it on stage.
One recommendation letter
From a non-related adult who can speak to your ability and the quality of your idea. Not a parent or guardian.
Eligibility
Any high school student in the greater Cleveland area
Any grade level
Any school: public, private, or homeschool
No minimum GPA required
No prior speaking experience required
No extracurricular history required
What happens after you apply
Full Application Guidelines
The full application document is below. Read it carefully before submitting. It contains everything you need to know about the process, judging criteria, and what we are looking for.
Download PDFCommon questions
I have never given a speech before. Can I still apply?
Yes. Prior speaking experience is not part of the evaluation. Round 1 is a written application. If you are selected, you spend June and July in a structured coaching program designed specifically to prepare you. By August 22, you will have had months of real preparation.
Does my GPA matter?
No. The application has no academic requirements. The only thing we evaluate is the quality and clarity of your idea.
Do I have to go to University School to apply?
No. Any high school student in the greater Cleveland area is eligible, regardless of which school they attend. Public, private, or homeschool.
What is the talk about?
Your talk must connect to the theme: "The Invisible Engine: The Forces We Forget." The theme works across biology, economics, psychology, technology, and social systems. The question is: what hidden force do you want to make visible?
Is there a fee to apply?
No. The application is free.
Who will read my application?
Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson, the event's co-organizers, along with Dr. Tyler Yoder, the licensed organizer. Applications are evaluated on idea quality, clarity, and fit with the theme.
Have a question not covered here? Email us directly at tedxhuntingvalley@gmail.com. We respond to every message.