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Testimonial

PUBLIC SPEAKING:

"Brook Thompson delivers an electrifying presentation. Her keynote wove an intricate story of what it means to grow up in a culture that revolves around salmon, grieve the loss of wild salmon abundance, and organize for positive change.”
 - Dana Stolzman, Executive Director, Salmonid Restoration Federation

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"Brook is a compelling and eloquent speaker who can speak to a number of important issues, including those that impact communities that she is a part of. Brook is an inspiring figure to many, and yet she is very approachable in her tone. Brook has the ability to speak directly to a subject and relay her opinion on challenges in an honest and professional manner, helping inspire an audience to action. I recommend reaching out to Brook as a knowledgeable speaker and inspiration to both individuals and communities alike."
- Serena Dressel, Coordinator of Portland State University Student Sustainability Center

"Brook is organized, diligent, and passionate about building a better future for her community and all future generations. She is an incredible public speaker who engages the crowd even when explaining complex details. Working with Brook is always a pleasure!"
- Allie Rosenbluth, Campaigns Director, Rouge Climate

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"We were so grateful to have had Brook join us as a keynote for our Future Innovators event. Her message resonated with our audience of young adults and seasoned professionals and she has a way of connecting her personal experience with her professional expertise that is deeply moving. Brook was great to work with and we hope to have the chance to welcome her back for future events!"
- Dr. Tong Zhang, Executive Director, Oregon MESA

“Brook brought a fantastic breadth of perspective to a discussion on climate change and climate justice --peeling back the curtain on much of the prevailing accepted wisdoms and mainstream approaches to climate change education and mobilization. With razor-sharp focus on the intersectional issues related to climate and social justice, a strong historical grounding in how policy happens, and a  rich lens on indigenous, traditional ecological knowledge, Brook --with an engineer's rigor and an activist's fire and passion--delivered to her audience fresh tools to think about agency around climate action.”
Tim DuRoche, Director of Programs, WorldOregon

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Topics I Spek on

TOPICS I SPEAK ON:

  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge

  • Academic Success 

  • Activism

  • Climate Change

  • Learning Disabilities

  • Public Policy And Native Americans

  • Foreign Policy And Indigeneity 

  • Public Policy And Water Rights

  • Murdered And Missing Indigenous Women And Children

  • Environmental Justice

  • Infrastructure (Built Environment) And Its Effects On People And The Environment

  • Salmon

  • Native Media Representation

Who I Speak to

WHO I HAVE SPOKEN TO:

Government:

Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)

United Nations World Food Forum

United States Agricultural Department (USDA)

City of Portland Oregon

Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian

 

Colleges:

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Lewis & Clark College

Stanford University

UC Berkeley

Cal Poly Pomona

Stanford Law School

UC Davis School of Law

Harvard Kennedy School

Cal Poly Humboldt State

Portland State University

The University of Oregon

Semester at Sea

The University of Dayton Ohio

Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science

High Schools:

Urban School of San Francisco

The Arcata High School Native American Club

Cheyenne River Reservation High School

Madison High School (Portland)

Grant High School (Portland)

Franklin High School (Portland)

Non-Profits:

California Native Plant Society (CNPS)

The Nature Conservancy (at UN COP 27)

Rios to Rivers (at UN COP 27)

Salmonid Restoration Federation

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

Rouge River Climate

American Lung Association

World Oregon

California Center for Civic Participation

 

Organizations:

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA)*

Council of Graduate Schools

NEXUS

Science on Tap

Ignite Digital

Portland General Electric

California Environmental Water Network

Heyday/ News from Native California

 

Past Lectues

HISTORY OF PRESENTATIONS & LECTURES:

* = Upcoming Speech

*California Salmon and Dams, Lecturer

Urban School of San Francisco (high school)

Where: San Francisco

When: May 5, 2023

Cultivating Connections, Keynote

The California Society for Ecological Restoration (SERCAL)

When: April 14, 2023

Where: Davis, CA

Website: https://sercal.org/sercal-2023

Description: Every year since 1992, the California Society for Ecological Restoration has gathered people who are connected to or interested in the work of restoring California’s native habitats. This community comes from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds — they are biologists, ecologists, hydrologists, landscape architects, engineers, conservationists, students, academics, consultants, agency staff, and more — but for all their differences, they find inspiration and opportunities for collaboration when they meet each other and share their work.

Informal Special Event: Water Leadership Uniting for a Sustainable World, Panelist 

United Nations Water Conference

When: March 24, 2023

Where: New York, New York

Side Event Breaking Boundaries for Efficient Water Diplomacy, Panelist 

United Nations Water Conference

When: March 23, 2023

Where: New York, New York

Informal Special Event: Radical Collaboration for Water Resilience: Action with our Greatest Allies in the Climate Change Crisis, Panelist 

United Nations Water Conference

When: March 22, 2023

Where: New York, New York

Environmental Law Symposium: Walking the Walk Toward an Equitable Future: The Urgent Need to Center Environmental Justice in Law and Policy, Speaker

UC Davis School of Law

Where: UC Davis

When: February 17, 2022

Beyond Salmon: A Native American Perspective on Water Quality

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Where: Monterey Bay, CA

When: February 15, 2023

Description: Brook Thompson, who is from the Yurok and Karuk tribes of Northern California, goes into

detail on how the Klamath River water quality is linked to not only a decline in salmon but a

decline in the mental, physical, and cultural health of her tribes. Through personal anecdotes and

using her experience as a civil engineer, Thompson teaches lessons on why we should consider.

Shifting our perspective about water and fish to a more traditional one and how that shift can

benefit future research and California policy.

Website: https://www.mbari.org/about/events/

 

2023 Career Conversations: Native American Heritage event, Speaker

Oregon Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA)

Where: Online

When: January 24, 2023

Description: Two Native American guest speakers who can talk about their career trajectory, their backgrounds, and the way that their heritage has influenced their career path.

 

Making Dams and Breaking Dams with Brook Thompson & Garrett Costello, Keynote

Science on Tap: Mad River Brewery

Where: Blue Lake, CA

When: January 27, 2023

Description: “Finally! Klamath Dam Removal Becomes a Reality! A talk with a local tribal member and engineer.”

 

Fish as Indigenous Foodways and Climate Resilience, Guest Lecturer

Class: Feeding the World

Where: Santa Clara University

When: January 24, 2023

Description: The Feeding the World pathway focuses on the complex interrelationships among food production, food consumption, hunger, poverty, and the environment. Students in the pathway will explore how the production, consumption, and distribution of food resources are impacted by a variety of factors, including the availability of resources, income levels, and environmental degradation. The production of food in fragile environments and the sustainability of subsistence food systems will be explored, including the role of agricultural development in reducing hunger and poverty throughout the world.

A Conversation about Conservation with the Yurok Tribe

The Nature Conservancy/ United Nations COP 27

Where: Sustainability Development Goals Pavillion, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

When: November 18, 2022

Centering the Protection of Rivers and Rights in Achieving Climate Justice

Rios to Rivers/ United Nations COP 27

Where: Side Event Room COP 27 Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

When: November 15, 2022

Description: Free-flowing rivers are critical to mitigate and adapting to climate change. This event features efforts of Indigenous youth to assert their rights in defending rivers and global efforts to ensure climate funds protect rivers, don’t incentivize destructive dams, and strengthen community resilience.

Plenary Session on Seeds

California Native Plant Society (CNPS)

Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Jose, CA

When: October 22, 2022

Description: The Conference ended with the closing plenary talk by the North state’s very own Jennifer Jewell, host of the national award-winning weekly public radio program, Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden.  Her keynote address anchored an expert panel discussion focusing on the importance of seed in our personal and cultural, gardening, environmental, and economic lives.”

 

Lewis & Clark College Deconstructing the Apocalypses: Holistic Approaches to Climate Futures, Panelist 

Lewis & Clark College

Where: Portland, OR

When: October 19, 2022

Website: https://college.lclark.edu/programs/environmental_studies/symposium/25th-annual-symposium/

​Description: Lewis & Clark College’s Environmental Studies Program sponsors an annual Symposium series of events, building on the broad theme of Environment Across Boundaries (ENVX). ENVX speaks to how our students cross a wide range of intellectual boundaries as they seek new scholarly concepts and skills; geographic boundaries as they apply these concepts and skills to explore environmental issues around the world; and communication boundaries as they engage with people on all sides of these issues, ideally working toward mutual respect and collaborative solutions. Symposium offers the Lewis & Clark community and general public an opportunity to experience this broader approach to environment.

 

Environmental Justice Series, Speaker

Making Visible

Where: Zoom

When: September 21, 2022

Website: https://www.making-visible.org/

Description: This 3-webinar series is curated by award-winning community activist Brenda Perez (she / her / ella), a D.C. local who is passionate about fighting for the liberation of mother earth and oppressed people of color. Brenda will open each of our webinars with an introduction to our speaker and provide context for each discussion.

World Food Forum Youth Action Track Focal Points Group, Panelist

United Nations (UN): North American Regional Consultation

Where: Zoom

When: September 28, 2022

​Description: Discussing 1) how civil/environmental engineering relates to agrifood systems; and, 2) how innovation and civil/environmental engineering can create more sustainable agrifood systems in the context of transforming consumption and production patterns.

Cal Poly Humboldt "Klamath Connection" Freshman Program, Keynote

Cal Poly Humboldt

 Where: Arcata Theater Lounge, CA,

When: August 17, 2022

Description: A place-based program aims to familiarize incoming STEM students with the Klamath Basin: the people, the wildlife, the geography, the past and present issues, etc. 

29th Regular Session of the CEC Council and Meeting of the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC).

JPAC Intergenerational Round Table, Living Under Crises: Sharing Knowledge to  Generate Opportunities for the Creation of  More Sustainable Communities", Panelist

Where: Mérida, Mexico

When: July 14, 2022

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Website: http://www.cec.org/events/29th-regular-session-of-the-cec-council-and-meeting-of-the-joint-public-advisory-committee-jpac/

Description: "This round table aims to showcase North American experiences related to environmental, social, and economic crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the growing impact of climate change. Crises are often major learning experiences for communities, and recovery can provide opportunities for moments of reflection regarding where we are, where we want to be, and how to get there.

Invited speakers and attendees will come together to discuss how they have been affected by recent challenges and emergencies and will also share insights on how they are turning this crisis into an opportunity to build more sustainable and resilient communities. The intergenerational dialogue will offer a two-way sharing of knowledge that honors diverse forms of cultural foundations from various perspectives and approaches."

California Salmon and Dams, Lecturer

Urban School of San Francisco (high school)

Where: San Francisco, CA

When: May 16, 2022

Lecture for ESS 226: Wastelanding: Indigenous Environmental Justice in the Western U.S., Speaker

Stanford University 

Where: Stanford University Farm

When: May 2, 2022

Description: "This seminar introduces basic principles of Indigenous environmental justice (IEJ) and presents frameworks for analyzing and addressing inequalities in the distribution of environmental benefits among Indigenous communities. Through a series of invited speakers, we will explore IEJ as distinct from the broader environmental justice movement, with a particular focus on the western U.S. Students will learn about archetypal IEJ cases, such as uranium mining on Navajo and Hopi lands and water rights in the Klamath River basin. We will then turn to the importance of self-determination and sovereignty in the IEJ movement, along with the failures of federal and state systems of law and governance. The series will conclude with discussions of how academic researchers can best engage with Native communities and apply Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in academia."

"Salmon Fishing, More than a Sport: How Salmon are Vital to Native American Culture, Health, and Prosperity," Keynote

The Salmonid Restoration Federation

Where: Santa Cruz, CA

When: Thursday, April 21, 2022

Website: https://www.calsalmon.org/conferences/39th-annual-salmonid-restoration-conference

Description: "In 2022, Salmonid Restoration Federation produced the 39th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference in Santa Cruz, California. The first two days of the conference included technical workshops and field tours. Thursday began with a half-day plenary session followed by 1.5 days of technical, biological, and policy-related concurrent sessions. This conference focused on a broad range of salmonid and watershed restoration topics of concern to restoration practitioners, watershed scientists, fisheries biologists, resource agency personnel, land-use planners, and landowners."

Environmental Justice and Indigenous Lands across Generations, Panelist 

UC Berkeley 

Where: Zoom

When: April 19, 2022

Staying Safe Online: Protecting yourself in the real world by having online awareness, Presenter 

AISES Region 2 Conference

Where: Cal Poly- Pomona

When: April 17, 2022

Description: "When vacationing, do you make an Instagram post about how much fun you're having? Have you ever received a networking message online saying they have mutual friends who told them about your work? Have you ever filled out a change of address with USPS? Then this session is for you.
This presentation will go over how to stay safe with personal information and location that may be threatened by common mistakes. Most internet safety lessons are targeted at children and workplace phishing, but this session will focus on adult life outside of work. According to the CSC, 1 in 6 women will experience stalking in their lifetimes. Workshop and learn about precautions that can make it more difficult to be targeted. (Focus on women & LGBT adults but open to everyone)."

TikTok Diagnosed me as Neurodivergent. What now? , Speaker

AISES Region 2 Conference

Where: Cal Poly- Pomona

When: April 17, 2022

Description: Cal Poly- Pomona, Sunday, April 16, 2022
"Provide all necessary details for reviewers to evaluate your session, including a general description, goals, learning objectives, outcomes, presentation methods, etc. Limit 500 Words.
What does it mean to be neurodivergent (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, etc.)? How can I know for sure? What are the benefits and adversities of being neurodivergent? How does it affect higher education and work? How can I support my friends who are neurodivergent? What resources are there to help me?
After downloading TikTok at the start of the pandemic, my For You Page (FYP) started coming up with tips and memes for people with autism and ADHD. I had a close friend of mine download TikTok and have the same thing happen. Often peop
le of color and women are undiagnosed compared to their white counterparts. 
I was diagnosed with dyslexia in 3rd grade, and despite reading slower than 99% of the U.S. population, I took A.P. English classes in high school and have had multiple national magazine articles published. However, I also struggled on assignments to the point of tears when writing and reading for the same assignment came naturally to other students. Learn from my 18 years of Neurodivergence in public education on how to find success while neurodivergent."

The Bright Award, Panelist

Stanford Law School

Where: Stanford university

When: April 14, 2022

Website: https://law.stanford.edu/environmental-and-natural-resources-law-policy-program-enrlp/the-bright-award/

Description: "The Bright Award was created as a gift from Raymond E. Bright, Jr., JD '59, in 2007 on behalf of his late wife, Marcelle, and himself. Mr. Bright died in 2011. Under the terms of his gift, the Bright Award is given annually to an "individual who has made significant contributions in the environmental preservation and sustainability area" and is awarded to an individual from one of ten rotating regions. The regions the winners have been chosen from since the award's inception are South Asia, the Middle East; West Asia; Africa; Europe; South America; and North America."

Water Law Symposium Panel, "Indigenous Water Management," Panelist

UC Davis School of Law

Where: UC Davis

When: April 9, 2022

Website: https://www.waterlawsymposium.org/

Description: "The California Water Law Symposium is a collaborative student-run event that consistently brings together leading minds in water law to discuss California's critical water issues. Led this year by UC Davis School of Law, participant schools include USF School of Law; UC Hastings College of the Law; UC Berkeley School of Law; Golden Gate University School of Law; Stanford Law School, and University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law."


Healing Turtle Island: Indigenous Leadership Through the Climate Crisis, Resistance and Activism panel, Panelist

Harvard Kennedy School 
Where: Zoom and the Democracy Lab at Harvard Kennedy School

When: April 1, 2022

Website: https://www.belfercenter.org/event/healing-turtle-island-indigenous-leadership-through-climate-crisis

Description: "Discussions of innovative approaches to the climate crisis held at Harvard Kennedy School rarely feature Indigenous approaches, and even fewer center Indigenous perspectives as the primary goal. 

To that end, the Native and Indigenous Caucus at Harvard Kennedy School, in partnership with the Belfer Center's Arctic Initiative, will hold a day-long hybrid convening to highlight Indigenous leadership in addressing the climate crisis. The event will bring together Indigenous leaders from across the globe to discuss the following:

1. How has the climate crisis uniquely affected Indigenous communities?
2. In what ways does an "Indigenous" approach to the climate crisis differ from non-Indigenous approaches? How does this differ across regions and communities?
3. What are examples of impactful activism by Indigenous writers, activists, government leaders, and youth? What can students and the broader HKS community learn from these examples?"

Green Focus Youth Program, Speaker

California Center for Civic Participation

Where: Zoom

When: March 26, 2022

Local Native in Higher Education STEM, Speaker

The Arcata High School Native American Club

Where: Zoom

When: February 10, 2022

Fireside Chat: Key Foreign Policy Topics on Climate Change, Speaker

World Oregon 

Where: Zoom

When: February 25, 2022

STEM Speaker Series, Speaker

Humboldt State Poly, INSPIRE (Indian Natural Resources Science & Engineering Program)

Where: Zoom

When: February 9, 2022

Description: "Discover Brook's experience as a Native woman in STEM and how Indigenous values push to redefine water policy, infrastructure engineering, and leadership."

Working towards a Green Post-Pandemic Recovery, Panelist 

IgniteDigital Conference

Where: Zoom

When: November 28, 2021

Description: "This session would aim to address questions such as what should a green recovery look like, what climate justice means, what are the barriers facing us – and how can we overcome them, what are the key actions for achieving a green recovery, how do we build sustainable infrastructure, and how can the green recovery be financed."

Climate Action Talks: PNW Environmental Justice, Speaker

Portland General Electric, American Lung Association 

Where: Zoom

When: October 28, 2021

Harvesting Health: Native Youth Summit, Host

[Several Organizers: Save California Salmon, United Indian Health Services, Yurok Tribe, and More]

Keynote Speaker: Dallas Goldtooth

Where: Zoom

When: October 23, 2021

Indigenous Perspectives on Water Infrastructure and Management, Speaker

California Environmental Water Network

Where: Zoom

When: October 26, 2021

Salmon, Social Justice & Dam Removal: Indigenous Water Governance and Self-Determination on the Klamath River, Co-Lecturer

Stanford Law School (Environmental Justice Workshop)

Where: Stanford CA

When: September 30, 2021

Sheltering Inspiration, Speaker

Heyday and News from Native California 

Where: Zoom

When:  June 10, 2021

Indigenous Brilliance: Kinship & Culture in STEM, Panelist 

Portland State University, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

Where: Zoom

When: May 26, 2021

California Salmon and Dams, Lecturer

Urban School of San Francisco

Where: Zoom

When: May 27, 2021

Coalition Against Environmental Racism (CAER): Environmental Racism by Water Infrastructure, Speaker

The University of Oregon

Where: Hopin (online)

When: May 22, 2021

View the Video Recording Here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7u2b_MlKUEeO6-cfOHu74jpbveLTEOb/view?usp=sharing

2021 Oregon MESA Future Innovators Celebration, Keynote & Panelist

Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA)

Where: Online

When: May 20, 2021

Climate Woke! Earth Day Event: Undam the Klamath, Panelist

Cal Poly Pomona

Where: Zoom

When: April 22, 2021

MMIWG Social Plunge, Keynote

The University of Dayton, Ohio

Where: Zoom

When: March 22, 2021

Silencing of Celilo Falls but Not the People, Speaker

Where: Portland, OR

When: March 10, 2021

PSU Civil Engineering Capstone Alumni Panel, Panelist

Portland State University, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science

Where: Zoom

When: January 12, 2021

 

Climate Justice Teach-In, Speaker/ Panelist

Madison High School (Portland, OR)

Where: Zoom

When: December 15, 2020

Indigenous Climate Leadership workshop, Speaker

PDX Youth Climate Summit

Where: Zoom

When: December 12, 2020

Traditional knowledge in STEM fields, Assistant Host

United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY)

Where: Zoom

When: October 27, 2020

Representing Indigeneity in social media, Panelist

The University of Dayton Ohio, Native Peoples of the Americas Colloquium

Where: Zoom

When: October 20, 2020

College Scholarship Application Workshop: Going to School Debt Free, Speaker

AISES Nationals: Session

Where: Zoom

When: October 17, 2020

Combined Systems: The Effect of P.V. Panels on Eco Roof Soil Moisture Content, Speaker

AISES Nationals: Undergraduate Research

Where: Zoom

When: October 16, 2020

Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and well-being, Panelist

Council of Graduate Schools

Where: Zoom

When: October 15, 2020

Indigenous Peoples Day - Youth Activism: Monuments & Mascots, Panelist

Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian 

Where: Zoom

When: October 12, 2020

Not Your Mascot: Understanding Modern Indigenous Realities, Speaker

NEXUS

Where: Zoom

When: June 10, 2020

Indigenous Land & Water Protectors Webinar, Speaker

Where: Zoom

When: May 28, 2020

Cheyenne River Reservation High School AISES Student Leader Night, Panelist

American Indian Science & Engineering Society

Where: Zoom

When: May 14, 2020

Class Panel on Civic Engagement, Collaboration, Consciousness of Self, Panelist

PSU Leadership Fellows within the Student Sustainability Center

Where: Zoom

When: May 7, 2020

Chase Bank Takeover: No Jordan Cove, Speaker

350 PDX

Where: Zoom

When: April 27, 2020

AISES 2020 National Conference Closing Ceremony, Student Speaker

American Indian Science & Engineering Society

Where: Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, WI

When: October 12, 2019

Jordan Cove LNG Conversation with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Speaker

Rouge River Climate

Where: Oregon Capitol Building, Salem, OR

When: June 11, 2019

Teachers, Family, and Community Against Racism in Portland Public Schools, Speaker

Where: Portland, OR

When: May 8, 2019

 

Models of Indigenous Self Determination, Panelist 

NEXUS USA Summit

Where: Washington, DC

When: March 8, 2019

Panel on Diversity, Panelist

Semester at Sea

Where: International Open Ocean

When: December 9, 2018

No Jordan-Cove Liquified Natural Gas Pipeline Rally, Opening Speaker

Rouge River Climate

Where: Medford, OR

When: August 16, 2018

Indigenous Movements and Activism Panel, Panelist

United States Agricultural Department (USDA) Hunger Fellows

Where: Washington, DC

When: May 11, 2018

Water is Life Discussion on the Oregon LNG Pipeline, Panelist

The Climate Action Team

Where: Portland, OR

When: December 16, 2017

"Salmon and Social Justice on the Klamath," Guest Lecturer

Salmon & Social Justice Senior Capstone

Where: Portland State University

When: December 23, 2017

"Native American Misconceptions, Facts, and Water Rights," Keynote Speaker

City of Portland

Where: Portland, OR

When: October 5, 2017

Women of Color Speak Out, Opening Speaker

The Climate Action Team

Where: Portland State University

When: December 16, 2017

Pacific Northwest Stands with Standing Rock, Speaker

Where: Portland, OR,

When: January 28, 2017

Indigenous Peoples Day: Standing with Standing Rock, Panelist

Portland State Native American Student Community Center

Where: Portland, OR,

When: October 10, 2016

 

"Salmon and Social Justice on the Klamath," Guest Lecturer

Salmon & Social Justice Senior Capstone

Where: Portland State University

When: December 2016

 

Portland State Environmental Club, Speaker

Where: Portland State University

When: April 9, 2016

MLK Day Tribute, Speaker

The Portland Public Schools Bill of Rights for Students of Color

Where: Highland Center, Portland,

When: January 18, 2016

College Success as a Person of Color & Franklin Alumni, Guest Speaker & Panelist

Where: Franklin High School

When: Spring 2014, 2015, 2016

Videos

VIDEOS OF PAST SPEECHES: