Protect the Spark | Annie Wu | TEDxHWIS Youth

How do we truly ignite ourselves as members of youth in society? Annie Wu takes us on her journey from rejection to D1 golfer to one of the top university teams in America. My name is Annie Wu, and I’m a Division I student-athlete, captain of Elon University’s women’s golf team, and is about to pursue a master’s degree at Boston University. While I’m honored to have earned Team MVP and Conference Player of the Week awards, my journey in junior golf wasn’t as glamorous as you’d imagine.
There was a time when the pressure, expectations, and uncertainty dimmed my hope for my American dream. I wasn’t sure if I could overcome difficulties, or if the passion I once had was still there. But that moment didn’t end my story, it ignited something deeper. It pushed me to another step, rebuild my confidence, and keep building on what I already have instead of giving up.
That spark, my passion, didn’t just come back; it came back stronger. It taught me that being ignited isn’t about always feeling motivated or always winning. It’s about finding purpose through challenges and choosing to keep going even when things feel uncertain. 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