Beyond Perfection: Finding Power in Perspective | Sophia Imark | TEDxMountainAve

Abandonment. Perfectionism. Self-doubt. What happens when a child’s story begins with loss and is shaped by self-inflicted expectations? In this TEDx talk, high school student Sophia Imark shares her journey from being abandoned as a newborn in Chongqing, China, to growing up as an adoptee in the U.S. She explores the emotional weight of not knowing her origins, the cultural stigma of adoption, and how these struggles fueled her perfectionism, especially in academics. She shares how stepping back to see the bigger picture helped her embrace her growth and find strength in her story. This talk reminds us that our struggles—personal or academic—do not define us, and resilience is built one step at a time. Sophia Imark is a student at Rocky Mountain High School. She participates in Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, and the Computer and Technology Student Association. She is also proud to be the founder and president of her school’s Asian American and Pacific Islanders Club, where she works to encourage connection and cultural awareness. Outside of school, Sophia’s heart lies in the arts. She has dedicated 13 years of her life to dance and feels fortunate to train at Front Range Classical Ballet Academy under the caring guidance of Miss Ixchel Levendosky. Sophia still treasures the memory of her first recital (and costume malfunction)—an early lesson in resilience that keeps her smiling today. When she is not dancing or studying, Sophia loves taking walks, spending time with loved ones, and binge-watching Gossip Girl. 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

Видео Beyond Perfection: Finding Power in Perspective | Sophia Imark | TEDxMountainAve канала TEDx Talks