Brea Olinda USD Student to Make History on the TEDx Stage
Brea Olinda High School student Kennedy Swann is due to be the first person ever to deliver a TEDx talk using a speech-generating device operated by her eyes.
The following is a press release from the Brea Olinda Unified School District and does not reflect editorial work done by Spotlight Schools.
Brea Olinda High School 10th grader Kennedy Swann will make history this weekend as she takes the stage with her mother, Jennifer Swann (BOHS Class of ‘94), to participate in TEDx Temecula to be the first person ever to deliver a TEDx talk using a speech-generating device operated by her eyes.
Kennedy’s journey has been one of resilience, courage, and community. Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at just nine months old—a condition often described as the childhood version of ALS—Kennedy’s family was uncertain whether she would live to see her second birthday. Attending school was something her mother never imagined would be possible.
“From the start, Kennedy has been super social and loves being around other people,” Jennifer shared. “She’s been in school in person since preschool, and while her speech can be difficult to understand, she communicates through a speech-generating device that she operates entirely with her eyes.”
The early years were filled with uncertainty, as Kennedy faced repeated hospitalizations and medical challenges due to her condition. “Our life was very small,” Jennifer explained. “Every public outing felt so risky because she couldn’t cough, breathe, or swallow on her own.” That changed after a pivotal trip when Kennedy was three and a half years old—a trip that her doctors discouraged because of the strain it would put on Kennedy. However, the experience opened a new world for Kennedy and her family, showing them that life could be bigger, bolder, and more joyful than they had ever imagined.
Now, Kennedy is a vibrant high school student who lives a full and active life. She travels extensively, enjoys sleepovers and hangouts with friends, and participates in extracurricular activities, including musical theater and show choir; and she has not only embraced life on her own terms but has inspired her mother to do the same.
“She’s taught me that your circumstance—no matter how challenging—only limits your ability to build a life you love if you let it,” Jennifer said. “Her perspective inspired me to stop viewing my caregiving role as a limiting circumstance in my own life as well. And that is the heart of our TEDx talk.”
Kennedy and Jennifer will take the stage at TEDx Temecula this weekend.
Event Details
- TEDx Temecula: Saturday, September 27 at 10 a.m. at the Old Town Temecula Community Theatre
- Tickets: https://www.tedxtemecula.com/
- Use the code Kennedy20 for a discount
The talk will also be available on YouTube after the live event (TBA).
Kennedy and her family are proud to share this milestone with the community that has supported them throughout the years. As a BOHS alum, Jennifer said, “We moved back into the District when Kennedy was in 5th grade, and being part of Brea schools again has been such a gift.”
Join us in cheering for Kennedy as she takes the stage and inspires the world with her voice, her courage, and her unwavering belief that life is meant to be lived fully.
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