In Western culture, most adults see music as something to consume, not create. This passive approach, far from the participatory norm in many other cultures, contrasts with how children instinctively engage with music, singing and playing without inhibition. This talk explores how we lose this natural connection to music, why it matters, and how reclaiming it can help build a more connected society and strengthen social bonds across generations. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
The topic of Culture as we have learned to know it has become mainstream and very predictable. Using cultural dimensions, values and equality we develop self awareness of our own culture. Yes, our own culture, not someone else’s culture. Its only then that we can begin to create better interactions in situations where differences exist. By identifying your own cultural dimensions and how they affect the ways you interact we dive into a multicultural adventure that goes much beyond race and language. How do you define your culture? How do you explain to others what your culture looks like? We can explore culture in a profound manner that will help us not only understand ourselves but impact how we interact and understand those around us. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Often, we say sorry to ensure offense, which could lead to inharmonious conditions for love and belonging, was not taken. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, our need to connect is so strong it lowers anxiety and depression, helps regulate emotion, leads to high self-esteem and empathy, and improves our immune system. Neglecting our need to connect, puts our health at risk. To fulfil this need for belonging, the words, “I’m sorry” have become the easiest way to grant quick closure over uncomfortable situations and unintentional offenses. But, THINK AGAIN and remember “I’m sorry” also teaches lessons. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
n creative problem solving, the phrase “think outside the box” can initially lead to solutions that disregard parameters, forcing us to take them into consideration later. What if we placed more value on the box itself? By first identifying and understanding not only our constraints, but also our resources and individual strengths before jumping into brainstorming, we can unlock our most creative ideas. True creativity must be relevant, not random. Creativity needs a box. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Cheryl Costello is a board-certified music therapist, performer and teaching artist who has spent nearly 30 years working with children and music. Specializing in early childhood, she focuses on music’s role in creative confidence and social-emotional learning. Through her work, she encourages people of all ages to rethink music as a shared, lived experience.

Harvard-trained Physician-scientist, TEDx speaker, author, and inventorHarvard-trained Physician-scientist, TEDx speaker, author, and inventor whose 42-year career in science, and medicine, includes a 9-year Directorship of a Hospice caring for dying patients, and a 4-year Chairmanship of a 225-bed hospital and recognition by Marqui's Who's Who in America and Who's Who in TOP Doctors of America. Dr. Iyer is passionate about human potential and conducts workshops on Neuro Inclusivity training and Cognitive Alignment (COGAL and courses on Strategies Of Neuro Aligned Groups (STRONG) that have been rated as transformational for enabling individuals, teams, and organizations to discover their grounding narrative and allowing them immense focus and creativity as well as resilience and flexibility in navigating the uncertainties of their life. He has an active online presence and may be followed at www.driyer.com
Ravi Iyer MD, TEDx Speaker, Author, Coach The Power of Intentional Focus: www.driyer.com
President, Reston Town Center Toastmasters Club CEO, IRFocal Point & ActivPower Inc. Founding Physician, The IYER CLINIC-LMG. Website: www.driyer.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/driyermd/

Madelyn Jimenez-Torres formerly Rodriguez has lived in Winchester for over 30 years where she resides with her 2 teen daughters.
Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and of Mexican and Puertorican heritage, Mady is fluent in both English and Spanish. She currently works as a discharge planner for Valley Health’s Care Management Department and is also an ESL instructor at Laurel Ridge & Shenandoah University where she teaches culture and equity to First Year Students. Her community involvement in the education and medical sectors have afforded her opportunities to learn about the barriers/challenges in many populations as well as the understanding of culture and diversity. Mady is on numerous boards throughout the community and provides input on cultural awareness, diversity and inclusion. She is proud to be a product of Winchester Public Schools (WPS), attended Laurel Ridge Community College, formerly LFCC, later transferred to ODU for her bachelors degree and then received a Masters in Human Services from Walden University. She considers it an honor to share her learned experiences with other to cultivate meaningful interactions and relationships in all sectors throughout the community.

A Winchester native from a family of educators, I majored in Music Education at Elon University before teaching middle school general and choral music for several years. Now, as the Associate Director of Educational Experiences at the international nonprofit Destination Imagination, I direct global tournaments and develop educational content that inspires thousands of students and adults worldwide to practice and master the creative process from imagination through celebration.

Andy Vipperman was the SCA Student Body President, Fellowship of Christian Athletes member of the year, recipient of the Judges Athletic Association’s Ron Rice Award for Leadership and recipient of the Winchester Star Leadership Award. The only Handley football player ever selected as Defensive Player of the State, he was first team All-State in Football, All-State in Track and Number 4 all-time for shot put at Handley.
He continued his football career at Hampden-Sydney College where he earned his B.A in Psychology in 1999. He served in the Student Senate, the NCAA Advisory Board, and Student Admissions Committee. He was a founding member of the Tiger Athletic Club.
Andy was hired as a Police Officer at the Winchester Police Department in 1999. He created “Kids and Cops”, a summer camp for the community focused on interaction with police officers. He was named Police Officer of the Year in 2006.
He was Winchester’s first special victims crimes detective. He served on the Board of Directors for the Children's Advocacy Center and received the inaugural “Man of Vision” award given by the Laurel Center to honor a man who works against domestic and sexual violence.
A graduate of the John O. Marsh Institute for Government and Public Policy at Shenandoah University, he earned an M.A in Human and Organizational Studies at George Washington University in 2006.
Recruited and hired by the Department of State in 2007, he currently serves as a Foreign Affairs Officer. He is completing his Ph.D in Organizational Leadership at Shenandoah University.
In 2016, along with Handley alumnus Jayden Sibert (Class of 2000), Andy founded LegacySynthesis, a human and technology capability company. At LegacySynthesis, they established the Legacy Charity Fund that has facilitated over $100,000 in fundraising and donations to local non-profit organizations since 2017.
A recipient of the Eddie Manuel Award for Distinguished Service to the Judges Athletic Association, Andy currently chairs the Hunter Maddex Hall of Fame and Edwin Barksdale Wing committee. He serves as a board member for the Youth Development Center and on the board of directors for Opportunity Scholars.
Andy chairs the Communication and Alumni Relations committee as a member of the Handley 100th Steering Committee.
Andy lives in Winchester with his wife, Lynne. Their daughter, Madison, is a member of the Handley Class of 2023- the 100th Class- and son, Elijah, is a member of the Class of 2026.
“Being honored as a Handley Notable is personally humbling. I simply endeavor to be a good community servant. My greatest privilege is to live and serve in my hometown with my lifelong friends and neighbors. The opportunity to do that is noteworthy and is all the recognition I desire.”