Southville alumnus Kimoon “Martin” Kim took center stage at a recent TEDx event with a talk that resonated far beyond the auditorium. In “The Power of First Steps,” Kimoon explored how every great journey—whether personal, academic, or creative—begins with a single act of courage: starting.

As former Vice President of the SISC High School Student Council and founder of the SISC Cinematics Club, Kimoon’s passion for filmmaking sparked a movement among students to explore the arts. His leadership and storytelling opened doors for others to pursue creative expression, while his excellence in public speaking earned him top honors, including the SGEN Academic Olympiad Extemporaneous Speech Champion and World Scholars Cup Manila Round Top 5 Individual Debater.

His TEDx talk challenged viewers to confront the fears that hold them back and embrace the momentum of beginning. Whether it’s asking someone out, launching a project, or stepping into a new role, Kimoon reminded us that transformation starts not with perfection—but with action.

Watch his full TEDx talk and rediscover the courage to begin.

Special thanks to the Southville x TEDTalk Team, composed of our brilliant K12 and IB students, for making this event possible.