In the course of my fifteen years at the Institute for Educational Advancement at the helm of the Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) Scholarship program, I鈥檓 often asked, 鈥淲hat exactly do you do? What鈥檚 a typical workday?鈥� So I鈥檓 here to set the record straight and hopefully provide some answers. First of all, there is no 鈥渢ypical鈥� day which is precisely why I never get bored as the program director of CDB. In short, CDB runs year round with very little down time per se. The CDB team is comprised of myself and my extremely effective and efficient colleague, Mallory Aldrich. We are responsible for the approximately 150 CDB Scholars who are active within the program from 8th grade through high school, as well as maintaining contact with parents, CDB alumni, educators, organizing our CDB Selection Committees and the annual three day Bradley Seminar, collaborating with partner organizations who work with gifted students and assisting people interested in learning about and applying for the CDB Scholarship. Mallory and I are ably assisted by the 优蜜视频 team who help with our marketing, tuition payments, Finalist interviews, development, data collection and all manner of IT assistance.

We base our schedule around an academic calendar beginning anew for the year right after Labor Day in early September with the annual selection of new CDB Scholars. Roughly, the CDB year plays out as follows: the new class of Scholars is announced in early September which begins the cycle of 鈥渧irtually鈥� introducing the nationwide CDB rising 8th graders to each other and learning about them as the exceptional individuals they are. Then begins several months in the fall months of interactive research about high school programs and our follow up with each Scholar as they visit and apply to at least three high schools or programs that best suit their learning styles and academic goals. At the same time, we鈥檙e actively monitoring the transition from middle school to freshman year of high school for the entering 9th grade CDB class, making sure the returning high school Scholars are still well placed at their schools, working with the CDB high school seniors in their college application process, checking with the new class of CDB alumni as they enter college and begin work on the upcoming year鈥檚 CDB application and important program dates, organize our national selection committees who work with us to select that year鈥檚 CDB Finalists and begin sketching out the three day Bradley Seminar which encompasses travel, lodging, meals, activities, workshops and socializing for our entire CDB community of high school students, parents, guest speakers and educators with support from the entire 优蜜视频 team. All of the CDB Scholars are responsible for submitting their midterm and final term grades and teacher comments to the CDB team which is followed by individual feedback we proved to each Scholar. Within the new class, it鈥檚 rare that we are not in touch with them either by phone or email every two weeks to check in and get to know them and how their high school selection process is going.

Winter involves making sure all of the high school and college CDB applications have been completed and submitted within their deadlines, as well as personal recommendation letters and CDB information to all of the colleges being applied to by our college applicant Scholars. The new CDB application is online by now, so in addition to at least three webinars we conduct to provide information and answer questions, we are available to work with prospective applicants, recommenders and schools by phone or email. Plans for the Bradley Seminar are solidifying with the theme selected and agenda being meticulously planned out. Individual Scholars are inquiring about recommendations for summer internships that we will assist with. Winter term grades are coming in and holiday wishes extended back and forth. Scholars are hearing from their Early Decision and Early Action colleges, so that always brings a round of congratulations or calming messages about hanging in there and doing whatever we can to alleviate stress and anxiety on the part of our Scholars. This is also the time we work with any of our high school Scholars who are considering transferring for any number of reasons to a different high school program or looking for an alternate educational experience. One of the exceptional aspects of the CDB program is our flexibility to handle each individual鈥檚 ongoing academic requirements and to advocate for each Scholar should they seek to expand their horizons.

Spring is the Bradley Seminar, a highlight of the CDB program for all involved and in April the due date for that year鈥檚 CDB applications when Mallory and I go into lockdown mode to process and read the hundreds of eligible applications that we receive. By early May, we have divided the top tier applications into groups of approximately 55-60 each that will be sent to the members of our mulitple selection committees for their evaluations. The end of May- early June involves Mallory, our 优蜜视频 president and my travel to meet with the selection committees to select that year鈥檚 CDB Finalists who we will spend the summer traveling throughout the United States to interview them as the next phase of the CDB selection process. Spring is also when our Scholars hear the results of their high school and college applications, so it is a time filled with tremendous emotions and a lot of support extended to our Scholars as we support and work with them to finalize their high school and college decisions.

Summer brings extensive travel for the CDB team as well as support from our SoCal staff in conducting local CDB Finalist interviews and helping organize our schedule that extends from June- August when we have the heady experience of meeting a group of awesome and awe-inspiring CDB Finalists and parents from coast to coast. The end of the summer brings the selection of that year鈥檚 CDB class.

Mallory and I function as connectors throughout the work we do during the year. We help new Scholars connect with high school Scholars when they visit new schools that have current CDB Scholars in attendance; we connect CDB alumni and parents with current CDB Scholars looking for potential mentors or having questions to ask of fellow community members regarding their careers, current occupations or life out in the 鈥渞eal world.鈥� We connect organizations interested in the work we do with 优蜜视频 programs and initiatives as well as attend local and national conferences and conduct webinars and monthly gifted support group meetings on site to inform interested people in what CDB and 优蜜视频 are about.

It is impossible to fall through the cracks, so to speak, as a CDB Scholar. Mallory and I simply won鈥檛 let that happen. We work very hard to develop ongoing trust-based relationships with all of our Scholars and communicate regularly with them as additional support systems or advocates when it comes to any issue they might be facing at school鈥攚ith their classes, teachers, peers– or as they navigate finding balance in their often very fully scheduled lives. We work to impart life lessons to the CDB community about being proactive when it comes to their own educational paths, seeking guidance and assistance from teachers and mentors when/as needed and strive to help them develop strategies and skills to alleviate the stresses, anxieties and expectations inherent in being teenagers in general and being at competitive academic environments in particular.

So going back to the first paragraph of this attempt to de-mystify CDB, Mallory and my day always encompasses reading and responding to MANY emails from our Scholars, their parents, admissions officers at the high schools we work with as well as introducing new schools to the CDB program and Scholars. We attend regular weekly meetings that are part of 优蜜视频 as well as appointments outside the office or with visitors by people interested in learning more about CDB who are visiting SoCal and stop by our office in Pasadena, CA. We spend time daily checking in with each other as collaborators in working with an incredibly diverse population of students in how best to support and assist them in areas as varied as course selection to confidence building when it comes to trying new activities or accelerated classes outside familiar comfort zones. We are ever-present cheerleaders, confidence builders and at times deliverers of wakeup calls when needed to help motivate Scholars to get back on track should their grades slip. CDB is a merit-based scholarship program with contractual guidelines that are monitored and enforced. That said, our motivation as the officers of the CDB program is to always work with our Scholars to enable them to be the prime movers on their own academic journeys, accounting for ups and downs as they occur. With many of our students who always expect super-human results from every test and each class grade and teacher comment, we work to 鈥渉umanize鈥� sometimes unrealistic goals and perfectionistic tendencies that can trip up even the most accomplished, high achievers among our cohort.

It is a tremendous pleasure and privilege to get to know and work with the CDB Scholar community and watch these young people develop their full potentials from the 鈥渘ewbies鈥� we meet as middle schoolers, through high school, college and beyond. With nine classes of CDB college graduates since the program鈥檚 inception in 2002, we now have CDB alums who are married, have their own future CDB Scholars and are well into their adult lives. It鈥檚 not many jobs or careers that afford its staff the incredible opportunity to change someone鈥檚 life for the better and to experience tremendous appreciation and gratitude for the largesse of all that the CDB Scholarship offers and the work we do in support of this program and these fabulous young people . I feel truly blessed to experience these rewards on an almost daily basis through my colleagues at 优蜜视频 and the CDB community at large. Perhaps I don鈥檛 skip into work every day, but I am so grateful for the work I get to do and the people I do it with.

It鈥檚 been about Bonnie. Not to minimize the hard work and dedication of all the staff of the and Institute of Educational Advancement (优蜜视频) to whom we are eternally grateful, our appreciation for the life-changing generosity of the program or the support of the amazing community. But when our family thinks about CDB, it is about Bonnie.

A little background: our son was seven years old when he rocketed out of his first lecture, never before so engaged and excited about a class. He spoke animatedly about Higgs Boson, van der Waals, Schrondinger鈥檚 cat鈥� topics for which we 鈥榤uggle thinking鈥� parents were only vaguely familiar and could barely understand.

But 优蜜视频 understood. They understood what exceptional kids needed – high level learning. They understood what the parents needed – a setting where they could talk about their kids without the 鈥榚ye roll鈥� upon mention of the word gifted. Prior, we struggled to find that place – an outlet for his ever-expanding mind and our need for resources and community. We consulted with teachers, moved schools, skipped grades but all these tacks, however helpful, were never the answer. 优蜜视频 was. With instructors like Dr. Rose and Dr. Travouillon, who never taught down, who always met these minds where they were – beyond.

And so. 优蜜视频 was there when we needed it in his younger years. We wondered, what for high school? Of course this is where CDB, and Bonnie, enter the story. What seemed like the miracle of the CDB scholarship – four years of a funded high school education of his choice, the inclusion into a select and supportive community – became other worldly when Jake began the process of his high school search. Only then did we realize the kind of advocacy that came along with the experience. It is to say the least that through the daunting task of disentangling the myriad of choices, Bonnie became a lifeline. Not just in terms of the invaluable information she imparted, but the way in which she made us feel less alone in the process; she let us know that she (and CDB as a whole), had Jake鈥檚 back. There was nothing generic in her feedback, it was always with Jake in mind – who he is, what he needed – and always with an unconditional voice of kindness and reason. If music soothes the savage beast, Bonnie calms the angst of many teens (and their parents) as they pivot into an essential phase of their lives.

It was no surprise then, upon attending the , we heard the familiar refrain of The Bonnie Experience (as I have now affectionately dubbed it) in the senior speeches – the acknowledgement of the many who had the luck to be taken under her wing. How many people are capable of making each and every child feel so uniquely seen? I highlight Bonnie because this does indeed, encapsulate our experience with CDB: one that wraps an unimaginable opportunity in a package of warmth and unparalleled care.

We are thankful to the entire CBD community – staff, scholars, families – for their generosity of spirit and friendship. We look forward to our ongoing relationships, and to giving back, in the years to follow.

For more information about the CDB Scholarship and to learn how your child can apply, visit the .

The subtitle for this year鈥檚 seminar theme easily could have been something akin to: 鈥淗ow to Talk About Rejection and Failure in a Room Full of People.鈥� Talk about vulnerability鈥� Rejection can be hard enough to acknowledge on our own, let alone in a social context where comparisons and self-appraisals inevitably creep in, despite our best efforts. It鈥檚 a loaded topic by virtue of its innate capacity to conjure some of our deepest feelings of self-doubt, confusion, shame and disappointment. But it鈥檚 also that power that makes it a word worth talking about, especially in communities where the myths of perfection often linger amidst high personal, academic and social expectations, both real and perceived.

From March 15 鈥� 17, the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship community gathered at the DoubleTree in Downtown Los Angeles for the 16^th Annual Bradley Seminar. With over 270 guests, this was our largest event to date, representing over 30 states spanning from Maine to Colorado to Hawaii. Scholars, alumni, parents, staff and educators explored this year鈥檚 theme, Perspective 鈥� how it shapes our perception of ourselves and the world around us; how experiences of disappointment and rejection make it difficult to reframe our failures; and how resilience and mindfulness can offer strategies for navigating life with clearer perspective.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Lauren Marlotte, Assistant Director of Training for the Division of Population Behavioral Health and Nathan Family Resilience Center at UCLA, shared her own perspective and research for developing healthy resilience, using tools like social connection, physical activity, and emotional regulation in times of toxic stress. Through cross-generational conversation, small group workshops and community activities, seminar guests continued to explore these questions throughout the weekend. CDB seniors initiated a project called the 鈥淩ejection Wall,鈥� an activity aimed at providing visibility on the topic of rejection, both academic and interpersonal, by inviting the community to share their own experiences and advice in writing. Scholars and parents alike were able to waive reservations and mutually contribute to these conversations, creating a spirit of solidarity and connection.

On Saturday afternoon, guests scattered around the local area for field trips and activities. CDB freshmen and parents ventured out from Little Tokyo to Pasadena via the Gold Line Metro (a personal favorite!) for an inaugural visit to the 优蜜视频 headquarters, The Barder House. Older scholars participated in various live-action puzzles at Escape Room LA. If you鈥檝e never done an escape room, I highly recommend this location 鈥� their themes and production value make the thrill of the countdown that much better. Parents, guests, and alumni visited nearby museums (Japanese American National Museum and Geffen Contemporary at MOCA) and explored the local charms of Little Tokyo, the Arts District and Downtown LA.

No CDB seminar would be complete without senior speeches. Always a highlight of the weekend, this year was particularly memorable as it marked the first graduating class since the program鈥檚 expansion in 2014. With 27 scholars, this is the largest senior class to date in CDB Scholarship program history. Coincidentally, 2014 was also my first year with the selection process 鈥� I still remember vivid details from various interviews that summer, my own nerves at times in competition with those of the interviewee. As this year also designated my last year with the CDB program, it was a fitting denouement to close out this final seminar weekend in tandem with the senior class of 2014. Their speeches spoke wisdom and humor in equal measure to their intelligence, passion, and ambition. Most, if not all, thanked Bonnie for her years of guidance and emails, trademarked by bold typeface and exclamation points en masse 鈥� a CDB tradition. The spirit of gratitude and authenticity was overwhelming. Not only from the graduating class, but the entire Caroline D. Bradley community. Reflecting on this year鈥檚 event, one scholar wrote: 鈥淚 feel like CDB has been a part of my life for much longer because of the deep friendships I’ve forged within the organization and the way I’ve been able to grow as a person due to this broader supportive community.鈥�

My hope is that, like this Scholar, every individual who participated in this year鈥檚 event feels that sense of community and connection. I know it is a feeling that will stick with me in continuity.

_ _ _ _

If you aren鈥檛 familiar with the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship, you can read more about this life-changing opportunity on our . 听Since 2002, the program has identified over 250 highly motivated, gifted students across the country, providing merit-based tuition to the high school program that best meets each student鈥檚 personal and academic needs 鈥� private, public, charter, boarding, early college, online and homeschool hybrid. The seminar provides a meeting place annually for these students and focuses on personal growth through themes and topics which encourage conversation, connection, and authenticity.

Since 2014, the Caroline D. Bradley Seminar has been the event I most anticipate each year. Months and months of planning precede this exciting community gathering of students, alumni, parents, educators and supporters from across the U.S. For most of the year, CDB Scholars are separated by geography, schools, and busy schedules. But once a year, every spring, we welcome our entire community to convene in southern California for a three-day seminar where they can discuss and share ideas with like-minded peers in an inclusive and energetic environment. (If you aren鈥檛 familiar with the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship, you can read more about this unique and life-changing opportunity on our .)

Since 2002, the program has identified over 230 highly motivated, gifted students across the country, providing merit-based four-year tuition to the high school program that best meets their personal and academic needs 鈥� private, public, charter, boarding, early college, online and homeschool hybrid. The seminar provides a meeting place annually for these students and focuses on personal growth through themes and topics which encourage conversation, connection and authenticity. It鈥檚 an important time because it allows each class of CDB Scholars to get to know other students within their cohort as well as the entire network of scholars from years past and present. The Bradley Seminar is generously funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

The 15^th annual Bradley Seminar took place March 9 鈥� 11 at The Westin near LAX and was our largest event to date with over 240 attendees representing 30 states spanning from Hawaii to Nebraska to Florida. Through cross-generational formats, small group workshops and conversation, we delved into this year鈥檚 theme, Intersections. Our keynote speaker, Jim Davis, Co-Founder of 优蜜视频, kicked off the weekend with an interactive exploration using personality theory as a framework for better understanding ourselves and others. Using for inspiration, we discussed life at the intersection of giftedness and multipotentiality, and what it looks like to pursue life with many passions and interests. Always a highlight of the weekend, our CDB senior class shared parting words of personal experience, advice and insight to their fellow CDB community, rife with photos, tears and hugs.

On Saturday afternoon, CDB scholars and alumni visited the 优蜜视频 headquarters in Pasadena to participate in a legacy project celebrating 优蜜视频鈥檚 20^th anniversary. Students collaborated with their CDB classes to design and create a flag using meaningful symbolism to represent their CDB class, as well as commemorate 优蜜视频鈥檚 milestone year. What resulted from their collective creative vision and work was inspirational. One even made me cry (admittedly not that difficult to achieve) with its underlying story and layers of symbolism. Their designs can be viewed below and will be displayed at 优蜜视频 offices at The Barder House in perpetuity.

(A note: Aside from that one summer back in 2008 when I became mildly obsessed with learning all the flags of the world thanks to Sporcle.com, I didn鈥檛 know much about the specifics of flag design or vexillology. After putting in a few hours of basic research on the subject in preparation for this project, I was hooked. Two resources in particular made a fascinating case for why good design matters. First, the definitive guide 鈥溾�� compiled by Ted Kaye of the North American Vexillological Association.听 Second, the delightfully amusing and thought-provoking Ted Talk by podcast host, Roman Mars, 鈥溾��. I recommend both to anyone interested in learning more on the topic. I also strongly recommend checking out the proposal by Calder Hansen, 2014 CDB Scholar.)

It鈥檚 hard to believe this year鈥檚 event has already come and gone. Months of pouring over spreadsheets, emails, flight details, schedules, etc. lead you to that sudden moment when everyone is saying goodbye again until next year. There鈥檚 nothing quite like the energy that fills the room that first Friday night at the seminar. It鈥檚 a feeling that follows you home and sticks with you for weeks after.

One CDB scholar said it best: 鈥淚 am sure I speak for all of the scholars when I say that the opportunity to meet friends, engage in intellectual conversations, and just spend time in a like-minded community was one of the highlights of my school year so far. I personally enjoyed getting to meet the freshman class, and was so inspired by their generous spirits, open-mindedness, and excitement about what the future holds. I spent time with different parents this year as well and had many discussions about topics ranging from accents to culture to the intersection of spirituality and science. I was so sad to leave – I felt like Sunday came even more quickly than it did last year! But even a short weekend was enough to make me feel so lucky and grateful to be a CDB scholar.鈥�

I speak for myself and the rest of the 优蜜视频 staff when I say how humbled and grateful we all are to work with such a lovely community of scholars, alumni, parents and educators. We can鈥檛 wait to see you again next year!

For more photos of the event, check out 优蜜视频鈥檚 !

鈥淚t is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.鈥�
鈥� Oliver Wendell Holmes

Every year, the Bradley Seminar brings together our national cohort of current 听Scholars along with alumni, parents, educators, guest speakers and 优蜜视频 staff for a weekend event where they can connect as a community, discuss issues of personal and global significance, and explore engaging content through cross-generational dialogue. And every year, it comes and goes all too quickly. The 2017 Bradley Seminar took place March 10 – 12 in 优蜜视频’s hometown of Pasadena, California. This year鈥檚 theme was Listen Up!, a topic we hoped would be particularly relevant to the current social, political, and cultural climate. We explored the theme of listening to ourselves, others, and the world through sharing open dialogue and diverse perspectives in cross-generational formats, small group workshops, and conversations of personal connection and depth.

Since 2002, the has been supported by the generous vision of one donor, founded on the premise that our nation鈥檚 most gifted young students will best thrive and actualize their unique individual potential through access to the most challenging, nurturing, and flexible learning environments suited to their intellectual and personal needs. Since 2014, the CDB Scholarship has been funded in perpetuity, expanding its annual scholar identification from 15 to up to 30 Scholars per year.

This year鈥檚 Bradley Seminar welcomed the Class of 2015, our second annual class of 30 Scholars, making this our largest seminar to date with over 200 attendees! The weekend kicked off on Friday afternoon with a Welcome Reception for the freshmen Class of 2015 held at The Barder House, a space rife with meaning for the CDB community. The home is dedicated and named for the scholarship鈥檚 visionary, Sarah D. Barder, who generously donated the space to the Institute for Educational Advancement in 2011 to serve as the main offices for 优蜜视频, as well as a meeting place and touchstone for the CDB community.

CDB Class of 2015

Scholars Billy Menken and Ethan Yan practice the art of blind drawings led by 优蜜视频 staff

CDB freshmen enjoy refreshments at The Barder House

Throughout the weekend, we visited the theme of listening through presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and group activities. 鈥� licensed psychologist and 优蜜视频 senior fellow 鈥� delivered a keynote address on the value of balance and holistic listening: to ourselves, to each other, to nature and the world, to intuition. Betsy Jones 鈥� president and co-founder of the Institute for Educational Advancement (优蜜视频) 鈥� facilitated intentional, inter-generational conversations between scholars, alumni, parents, educators and guests. These conversations focused on questions like: Have you ever felt like your words weren鈥檛 being acknowledged, heard or understood? What do you think are the most important things you can do to impact your ability to listen? How can these changes affect your life, your relationships and your community?

On Saturday afternoon, CDB Scholars spent time exploring the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, The Broad Contemporary Art Museum, and The Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens. Parents and guests were privy to a unique screening event for the upcoming film, , including an exclusive Q & A with the producer and lead actress, McKenna Grace. Reviews were glowing – we recommend the film, which will be released nationwide on April 7, to anyone who has ever raised, taught or been a gifted child.

CDB Scholars at The Broad

Scholars Junah Jang, Trisha Boonpongmanee, Sarah Jung, Ellie Surman and Sarah Smale enjoy the Chinese Gardens at The Huntington Library

Actress McKenna Grace and Producer Karen Lunder give an exclusive Q & A for the soon to be released film, .

Finally, threaded throughout the weekend were speeches from our graduating Class of 2012 Scholars. Senior speeches are a highlight of the seminar every year, a 3-5 minute opportunity for each of our seniors to share some of their most transformative memories and moments from high school, the lessons they have been taught along the way, and how the CDB Scholarship has prepared them for the new road ahead.听One parent commented:听鈥淚 expected intellect and passion. I wasn鈥檛 prepared for the humility, integrity, and wisdom.听 I feel more hopeful now, knowing that these young students are becoming our next generation of leaders.鈥�

Thank you to our entire CDB community, 优蜜视频 staff, and for a refreshing and memorable weekend 鈥� we can鈥檛 wait until 2018!

Congratulations, CDB Senior Class of 2012!

CDB Junior Class of 2013 鈥� it鈥檚 your turn next year!听

CDB Sophomore Class of 2014

CDB Alumni at the 2017 Seminar

See more photos of the Bradley Seminar on our !

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This year, 优蜜视频鈥檚 theme for both the Bradley Seminar and Yunasa Summer Camps was 鈥淔inding and Cultivating Your Voice.鈥� In a culture that has become image-obsessed, where we often exist behind a meticulously crafted social media identity, and where many personal interactions have been replaced with digital ones (my social media mask meets yours), finding our real voices, understanding who we are and what we have to offer unto the world, is essential. Also, most of us 鈥� and many gifted kids that I know 鈥� battle a convincing inner critic who can rise up, looming like a bully whose leg is constantly outstretched for us to trip upon.

If we can develop strong and healthy inner voices, we will hopefully live authentically while standing up successfully to the debilitating critical voices in our heads. 优蜜视频 strives to provide a space for children to unfold, where they are emboldened to find and cultivate their voices.

In a 2008 interview from the podcast On Being, Irish poet, author, and philosopher John O鈥橠onohue discusses biography: 鈥淚t often seems to me that if a person believes that if they tell you their story, that鈥檚 who they are. And sometimes these stories are constructed of the most banal, second-hand psychological and spiritual clich茅, and you look at a beautiful, interesting face telling a story that you know doesn鈥檛 hold a candle to the life that鈥檚 secretly in there鈥here鈥檚 a reduction of identity to biography.鈥� Identity is different than the sum of our experiences, and while biography often 鈥渦nfolds identity and makes it visible,鈥� we hold within us a unique person who is so much more nuanced, interesting, and capable of incredible things.

As we develop a presence on the Internet, we essentially create an 鈥榠n-real-time鈥� biography that we display to the world. We often interact with others through this Internet veil, and our real identity 鈥� our true voice 鈥� is neglected. In the same interview, John O鈥橠onohue talks about an 鈥渆vacuation of interiority鈥� in our culture. How do we find and cultivate our voices? We nurture our interior lives; we tend to our insides. How do we tend to our insides? By being attentive, surrounding ourselves with beauty, becoming a part of an accepting, healthy community, and .

Attentiveness 鈥� an ideal that we emphasize at Yunasa 鈥� provides us with the opportunity to explore how our surroundings affect us. It helps us to notice the needs of others and figure out how to meet those needs. It helps us to identify our own needs and advocate for them. It helps us to remain present. Finding our voice requires us to pay attention. Psychosynthesis, a type of guided meditation that we practice at Yunasa, serves to cultivate attentiveness in campers by helping them to focus solely on beautiful imagery that unravels in their minds. As the meditation continues, participants are able to uncover bits of creativity, imagination, and real issues that require consideration, and they are provided with a safe space to discuss and analyze these things. I believe prayer, mindfulness, and journaling also cultivate attentiveness and further awaken us to the beauty that surrounds us.

We must seek beauty: always 鈥渒eep something beautiful in your mind鈥� (Blaise Pascal).听 Beauty 鈥� whether it takes the form of poetry, literature, music, sculpture, painting, theater, film, math, chemistry, astronomy, nature, or deep, enlivening conversation 鈥� awakens our identities; it brings us back to who we are. All of 优蜜视频鈥檚 programs provide the opportunity to nurture our need for beauty. Yunasa places gifted children in nature, in a beautiful setting where they are free to explore how their social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical selves connect to make them whole. EXPLORE and Academy provide participants with a place to learn deeply about subjects that awaken their identities among other children and adult experts who find beauty in the same places. CDB allows students the freedom to pursue an education in a learning environment that matches their values, goals, hopes for community, and understanding of beauty.

Finding one鈥檚 voice is impossible without community; we are social creatures, and community provides a place for us to speak, to practice using our voice. A community of accepting individuals who hold similar values helps to draw us out of ourselves. When we feel safe, when we trust the people around us, we are able to give and receive help and love. 优蜜视频 provides safe community within all of its programs 鈥� a place to land, a place to be vulnerable. We help guide each other, asking questions that help us .

As I am wont to do, I shall end this blog post with a Thomas Merton quote:

听鈥淲e have the choice of two identities: the external mask which seems to be real…and the hidden, inner person who seems to us to be nothing, but who can give himself eternally to the truth in whom he subsists.鈥�

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鈥淎ttention is the doorway to gratitude, to wonder, to reciprocity.鈥� 鈥� Robin Wall Kimmerer

The annual Bradley Seminar is a place where you can鈥檛 help but pay attention. In the blink of an eye, it has come and gone. The Seminar is significant because it brings together some of the most interested and accomplished national merit-based high school scholars; it provides a venue for Caroline D. Bradley Scholars, parents, educators and professionals to connect, discuss issues of intellectual, personal, and global interest; and it strengthens a community that they will continue to influence and rely upon in perpetuity. I love it precisely for its strength of attentiveness 鈥� a weekend filled to capacity with such extraordinary individuals, challenging conversations, and genuine connectedness demands we lay distractions aside and keep our eyes open. Wide open.

The 2016 Bradley Seminar commenced in Pasadena, California from March 18 鈥� 20, hosting over 180 participants from across the country. The weekend events kicked off on Friday afternoon, welcoming the Class of 2014 Scholars to The Barder House, a space rife with symbolism for the CDB community. Dedicated and named after the Scholarship鈥檚 generous benefactor, Sarah D. Barder, it was donated to the Institute for Educational Advancement in 2011 by Ms. Barder to serve as the home base for 优蜜视频, as well as a meeting place and touchstone for the 优蜜视频 and the CDB community.

Following a welcome dinner and introductions, parents attended a session led by Dr. Jim Delisle, while Scholars and Alumni participated in ice-breakers and a hotel-wide scavenger hunt. Among the various tasks that teams were instructed to complete were items like, 鈥渇ind something at least 100 years older than anyone on your team鈥� and 鈥渞ecord a video of everyone on your team doing 20 jumping jacks in unison鈥�.

Each year, the Seminar is guided by a different overarching theme intended to serve as the focal point for thought and conversation throughout the weekend. The 2016 theme was Finding & Cultivating Your Voice, which pursued questions like: What am I passionate about and what matters? What does it mean to have a voice and how do I share these passions with a community, local or global, in meaningful ways?

KR Sridhar, Founder, President, and CEO of , explored this theme on Saturday morning through a keynote presentation on the relationship between voice, passion, and resilience. 听Betsy Jones, 优蜜视频 President, guided intergenerational conversations between students, parents, visiting educators, and guests to examine the Seminar theme in smaller intentional groups. 听These discussions channel incredible value for their ability to bring a diverse group of individuals together as equals to discuss issues of common interest. One Scholar noted, 鈥淭he table talks helped facilitate open and serious conversations鈥� The topics addressed were relevant to my life, especially the topics in the intentional conversations.鈥�

Saturday night featured workshops and panels led by CDB Alumni and parents, educators, clinical psychologists, and consultants covering a range of topics: American Misconceptions of Giftedness, Career Paths, College Counseling, Finding Your Voice Through Depression, Intensities and Sensitivities, and Mindfulness.

While the day was bookended with content-heavy sessions, Scholars and parents were able to relax through various outings on Saturday afternoon to the Griffith Observatory, Huntington Library & Gardens, and EscapeRoom LA.

As the Seminar concluded on Sunday morning and good-byes became imminent, I reflected on the wonder of the weekend. I recalled Kimmerer鈥檚 words on attention, gratitude, and reciprocity as I watched the generosity of the CDB community extend outward in the form of financial support and volunteerism to the 优蜜视频 community. 听This only confirmed my feeling that when we come together and pay attention 鈥� when we put down our phone, participate in our environment, engage in what it means to be present 鈥� something happens. As Thich Nhat Hanh writes, 鈥淭he most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.鈥� I can鈥檛 help but agree.

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Nearly two weeks have passed since the 2015 Bradley Seminar, and I remain energized by the abundance of community, conversation, and enthusiasm that infused our weekend in Washington, D.C. The Bradley Seminar 鈥� an annual three-day event 鈥� is a keystone of the program. Each year, the Seminar unites CDB scholars, alumni, parents, educators, and 优蜜视频 staff in a space that promotes the deep and honest exploration of important questions. The CDB community is geographically scattered – Scholars hail from both the sunny coast of California and cloudy banks of Maine as well as everywhere in between 鈥� and the Bradley Seminar is always an anticipated reunion for this diverse community of passionate learners and peers.

Our largest seminar to date, more than 130 Caroline D. Bradley scholars, alumni, and parents gathered in Washington, D.C. from March 27-29 to discuss this year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淲hat Does It Mean to be a Leader?鈥� During intergenerational conversations, we discussed questions pertaining to leadership about who we are, what we believe, and what we value. We shared stories and perspectives on leadership, and we explored the historical richness of our nation鈥檚 capital by bus, by metro, and by foot.

Helaine Klasky, Chief Communications Officer for Energy Management at GE, helped begin the conversation by delivering a keynote address on Friday night. Speaking from nearly 30 years of experience in politics, academia, and corporate professions, Ms. Klasky emphasized the value of team leadership and communication. She encouraged students to make plans for the future but to be willing to forego those plans when new and unexpected opportunities arise. Advice like this carries significance for CDB Scholars, who like so many gifted students, have a . Following Ms. Klasky鈥檚 presentation, CDB alumni and Scholars enjoyed ice breakers and ice cream, while CDB parents spent time with 优蜜视频 Board Member, Yunasa Fellow, , and gifted educator Dr. Jim Delisle, discussing the joys, challenges, and everything-in-betweens of raising a gifted teen.

Bright and early Saturday morning, the group braved brisk temperatures and explored the museums, landmarks, and terrain of Washington, D.C.

Back at the conference center, 优蜜视频 Co-Founder Jim Davis directed intentional conversations on the topic of 鈥淪acred Leadership鈥� 鈥� leadership grounded in deep meaning and connectedness which serve the greatest good. The evening was capped off by a stunning evening walking tour of several Washington, D.C. monuments.

Guest speakers Deb Delisle, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education for the U.S. Department of Education, and Bob Nunnally, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, continued the discussion on leadership Sunday morning, focusing on teamwork and positive working relationships. After breakout sessions and workshops led by 优蜜视频 staff and CDB parents and alumni, the group reconvened for one last conversation on the power of leadership, concluding the weekend with our annual CDB class photos.

Every year, we look forward to the speeches delivered by the graduating class of seniors. This year鈥檚 batch of seniors 鈥� the eighth graduating class of CDB Scholars 鈥� did not disappoint. As an unexpected bonus, they regaled the group with original lyrics about the CDB Scholarship and 优蜜视频, set to the tune of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from the musical Les Miserables:

When you chose us to be yours,

Back on that glorious fateful day,

Touching us at our very cores,

That鈥檚 the I-E-A!

As I continue to reflect on the question 鈥� What does it mean to be a leader? 鈥� the idea of hope appears again and again. A leader – whether an individual or a team working toward a common end 鈥� is someone who looks ahead, who propels forward through action, ingenuity, creativity, strategy, and hard work. We must lead as we learn; we must try new things, take risks, and accept the possibility of failure, as failure is often the most valuable catalyst for growth. In the words of poet Jack Gilbert: 鈥淎nything worth doing is worth doing badly.鈥� As we take steps forward, we do so with the belief that there is room still to move ahead. This is hope. To be a leader, one must sustain faith in a future that is yet to exist but imagined to be possible.

We dedicated and named our new home, The Barder House, in honor of Sarah D. Barder, whose generosity and vision have greatly impacted the Institute for Educational Advancement and our nation鈥檚 brightest youth. Ms. Barder鈥檚 family and more than 150 members of the 优蜜视频 community were in attendance.

More than 100 campers attended this year, where they learned to balance the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of their lives.

We had the tremendous opportunity to host three sessions at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, where students and teachers were granted access to the institution鈥檚 wide range of resources.

As part of the continuously growing Academy program, we offered two Genius Days in 2014. During these days of deep learning, students worked with an expert in the field to uncover the contributions of an individual we consider a genius. This year鈥檚 Genius Days studied Galileo and 鈥渇ather of geology鈥� William Smith.

During the summer, 29 high school students from across the country worked with renowned experts in their field of interest through 优蜜视频鈥檚 Apprenticeship Program.

The 2014 Bradley Seminar brought more than 100 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars, parents, alumni, and supporters to Pasadena, California, for a weekend of community, support, and intellectual stimulation.

Many members of our community gathered for 优蜜视频鈥檚 annual Summer Spotlight, an evening of learning, reflection, and friendship.

Dr. Steve Hindle, W.M. Keck Foundation Director of Research at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, delivered a fascinating comparative talk on the English and American Civil Wars at 优蜜视频鈥檚 Autumn Benefit.

We welcomed 30 new , including these bright young minds!

Thank you for helping us make this another amazing year of connecting bright young minds and nurturing intellectual and personal growth! We couldn鈥檛 do it without you.

Here鈥檚 to a successful, prosperous 2015!