I have had quite the journey in my six months at 优蜜视频.

After the first few weeks, I was crying at work while listening to Yunasa Leadership 2 campers. Over a temperamental flame, these young leaders spoke about difference Yunasa made their lives. I felt connected with their bittersweet pain, leaving the place that gave them the strong wings to fly solo.

As time passed, I found myself incredibly confused. Sitting in the back at an EXPLORE Culmination Celebration, I was stupefied by the externship projects of high schoolers. While I could not entirely grasp their presentations, I understood enough to see the feat performed by these interns. In just a few weeks, these gifted youth acquired palpable new skills and relationships.

I was then jerked out of my confusion by kid-sized giggles. Those small giggles belonged to students with adult-sized ideas and innovative thoughts on how to best rule a country and how 3D printing can solve the world鈥檚 most pressing problems. Their ideas were just as infectious as the giggles, as I found myself laughing and dreaming, too.

I was pointedly escorted back to reality, however, as I stepped foot into my first CDB interview. In this new reality, seventh graders had the poise, smarts and promise of my own peers. I sat in awe of young people fiercely advocating for a chance at a life-changing scholarship. Though I had official interview questions, all I really wanted to ask was: how did you end up here, so inventive, inquisitive and insightful?

Though a whirlwind, the best part of my 优蜜视频 journey has been watching the journeys of hundreds of gifted youth across the nation unfold. I am privileged to witness social, intellectual and emotional breakthroughs of children, to speak with parents about the support and community they have found. Above all, I am privileged to contribute to an organization that gives its community, both young and old, the gift of belonging and the ability to see giftedness as just that 鈥� a unique and beautiful gift.

This Giving Tuesday, please Join me in the Journey by giving to 优蜜视频. There are so many ways to help gifted youth reach for the intellectual and personal potentials:

• You can give of your time: Consider volunteering at 优蜜视频.
• You can give of your resources: Consider donating an in-kind gift to 优蜜视频; program coordinators and remember that when you shop on , AmazonSmile donates to Institute for Educational Advancement!
• You can give of your voice: Spread the word about the needs of the gifted child to your friends, family, local elected officials and more. to shift the way our nation thinks and serves gifted youth.
• You can give of your funds: For over twenty years, 优蜜视频 has provided refuge for almost 10,000 gifted youth and their families. We cannot continue this work without your support. At, 优蜜视频 87 cents of every dollar go right back into serving our community.

In my time at 优蜜视频, I have witnessed levels of giftedness and growth that could change our world, all due to the innovative enrichment programs and services of 优蜜视频. Please Join the Journey this Giving Tuesday and beyond, joining with 优蜜视频, and me, to forge a brighter path for gifted youth and their families.

With the thanksgiving holiday approaching, we begin to reflect on all that we are grateful for.聽 As I think about the past year, I remember many wonderful moments and people associated with the Institute for Educational Advancement (优蜜视频).

Whether it was a joyful moment speaking with an excited new Caroline D. Bradley Scholar or a moving conversation with campers at Yunasa, 优蜜视频 has greatly impacted my journey this year, and I hope it has for you as well. If you are a student, camper, parent, instructor, extern, staff member or volunteer, you understand what it means to be a member of the 优蜜视频 family: to be seen, understood, enriched and appreciated for your uniqueness. We feel so many of the same emotions and understand the trials and triumphs that come with being a part of the gifted community. We are grateful for you, as your presence in our community has supported 优蜜视频 on its journey to see, understand, enrich and appreciate almost 10,000 gifted youth across the nation.

As I look back on this past year, I cannot help but also look ahead at all that is to come. On the journey ahead, 优蜜视频 hopes to serve more students in our Pasadena hometown and beyond. We hope to provide more scholarships to ensure all children have access to 优蜜视频鈥檚 unique web of support. We hope to enact lasting change through state and national policy initiatives, shedding a brighter light on the needs of the gifted community. However, we need your continued support to turn these hopes into reality. This holiday season, please by donating to 优蜜视频.

In my time in the field of gifted education so far, I have learned that anything is possible. This is especially true with the unwavering support of the 优蜜视频 community. It is because of members like you that I believe the goals we strive for are within reach. With your support, we can create a clear and bright journey ahead where all gifted youth are supported as they reach toward their full intellectual and personal potentials.

With gratitude on this Thanksgiving Holiday,

Elizabeth D. Jones
Co-Founder and President

On November 17^th, under twinkling patio lights amidst festive fall d茅cor, a vibrant group of gifted education advocates gathered to support the Institute for Educational Advancement鈥檚 (优蜜视频) programs and services.

优蜜视频鈥檚 annual fundraiser, the Awards Dinner & Celebration, was attended by 90 guests, who enjoyed a cocktail reception featuring music by 优蜜视频 Academy students Calvin Zheng and Cadence and Dante Dam. Over 40 auction packages, including VIP tours, novelty items, specialty artwork, and more, provided excitement for guests who donated over $5,000 through their auction donations.

Cadence and Dante Dam, with parents Jason Dam and Amy Choi, entertained guests on the piano.

Guests perusing the exciting silent auction packages.

Following a three-course dinner and music provided by the JBK Jazz Trio, the program was MC鈥檇 by Dennis Finnerman and included remarks from 优蜜视频 President Betsy Jones, EXPLORE Alumna Kaitlyn Chen and EXPLORE Mentor Dr. Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy. also received awards from 优蜜视频 for their tremendous work to support gifted students: 优蜜视频 Instructor Dr. Tony Travouillon received the Educator Award and Sandy and Jason Roberts of Math Academy received the Community Advocate Award.

Dennis Finnerman delights guests as Master of Ceremonies.

EXPLORE alumni Kaitlyn Chen shares her summer externship experience with guests.

Tony Travouillon received the Educator Award and Jason and Sandy Roberts received the Community Advocate Award.

The event concluded with a 鈥淔und-A-Future鈥� live auction, during which guests donated nearly $7,000 to support 优蜜视频鈥檚 programs and services to serve gifted youth and their families.

Event sponsors, the An family.

Brian Queen, Dick and Barbara Baptie, Karen Connolly and Elizabeth Surman enjoy conversation over dinner.

Volunteer and 优蜜视频 Academy student Gabriel Fergesen, 优蜜视频 Academy student and evening鈥檚 musician Dante Dam, and 优蜜视频 Academy instructor Grayson Kent peruse the silent auction together.

优蜜视频 thanks all event sponsors, in-kind donors, program ad sponsors, guests, speakers and supporters for their event participation. The event鈥檚 digital program can be found here.

It鈥檚 not too late to support 优蜜视频 in 2017! . Gifts of all sizes are appreciated, and go to support those in need of 优蜜视频鈥檚 programs and services.

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