What are some educational, personal and professional highlights and/or accomplishments of yours since graduating from high school?

It feels like high school was ages ago – I must be getting old! But a couple things stand out…

In college, a close friend and I started a non-profit to encourage voter registration. We registered a little over a quarter of the entire campus and received a Civic Engagement Award that was presented by the late Congressman John Lewis; though we only exchanged a couple words, it was amazing to meet him.

Next would be when I took the GMAT, the entrance exam for Master’s programs in business. I hadn’t studied for anything in years, and I spent 8 months getting ready for that exam. Most tests had always been easy for me growing up – something I’m sure many CDB scholars experience – but man! That test is TOUGH. I had never had to study so hard before, and the effort made the results far more meaningful.

After the GMAT and applications, I ended up attended Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management for my MBA . My undergraduate degree was in fine arts – not at all a common path to an MBA. I honestly couldn’t believe I was accepted, and I literally couldn’t have done it without what must have been an incredible recommendation by Bonnie – thank you Bonnie!!! That school and the two years I spent there was simply incredible. While I would love to identify a single moment that stands out, the reality was I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude every time I walked into that building. It was the first time in my life – outside of ÓĹĂŰĘÓƵ! – I felt surrounded by peers that were all so smart, so talented, and truly kind. My degree hangs over my desk, and every time I look at it, I smile.

What is a favorite ÓĹĂŰĘÓƵ/CDB memory?

That one is easy haha. At one of the conferences during high school, after the day’s schedule had ended, a group of us got together to play poker. We didn’t have chips to play with, so we bought out the gift shop’s entire supply of tic tacs. PS: playing poker with a bunch of mathematic geniuses is awesome, as long as you aren’t playing for money, because they will wipe the floor with you!

What words of wisdom would you pass on to current ÓĹĂŰĘÓƵ students?

My goodness…having seen so many years of scholars come in, I am consistently amazed by the caliber of incoming students. Us “old guard” often say to each other, if we had to apply these days, there is no way we can get in! I feel like many of them could give me words of wisdom instead of the other way around. But here’s a few, with a caveat – you’ll get lots of advice from tons of places (just like this!), much of it conflicting over time. Ignore what doesn’t feel right for you, and take what serves you. That said,

1. If you’re a chatterbox like I was (and still am at times), practice active listening, even if you have a great fact to share or a solution to the problem at hand. You can learn more about the people around you by observing, and build deeper relationships asking questions rather than answering them.
2. At some point, you will probably need to make some decisions about what you want to do with your life (personally or professionally). The thing about CDB scholars is they are capable of doing so many different things that it can be really hard to choose a path. But to do anything truly well, you have to commit! You can always change your mind down the line, but don’t be afraid to make a bold choice, go all in, and let some of the other pursuits go for a while. If you find yourself missing one, you can always add it back in!
3. This is a silly one, but don’t completely ignore pop culture. It might be “basic”, but it can be an easy bridge to conversation or connection.
4. Finally, life gets easier. Every year, I know myself better, and the people around me become kinder, wiser, and more accepting. It becomes easier and easier to find your people, to find rituals that nourish the soul and the mind, and to structure your life the way you want. So hang in there.

I have a confession to make: I’m a pop culture nerd. I often find myself responding to situations with movie or TV quotes and can ace most pop culture-themed categories on Jeopardy!, another obsession of mine. So, when I had the chance recently to attend a screening and press junket for the upcoming movie, , I jumped at the chance to combine one of my hobbies with my work here at ÓĹĂŰĘÓƵ.

Pulling up to a hotel in Beverly Hills to meet movie stars is never something I expected to do when I entered the nonprofit world. But, nonetheless, I found myself doing just that last Thursday. I was seated in a small room at a roundtable with other “non-press” attendees, allowing the chance to really dig in and ask the stars questions about giftedness.

First up we met Jenny Slate, who plays the teacher in the movie. Herself a “smart and quirky” child, Slate related to the material.

“I didn’t fit into the system but I knew there was something different about me. I felt fear and isolation because I didn’t know how to express my intelligence or use it socially, so I really connect to this,” she said. When I asked her what the movie taught her about gifted kids, she said it reinforced her belief that these students should be encouraged but also be allowed to be kids and pursue non-academic interests. “It’s all about ,” she ended.

Next up were the movie’s leads, Chris Evans and McKenna Grace. Grace described the challenges of playing Mary, a gifted seven-year-old, and how she could connect with her.

“We all go through a time when we feel like we are different or like we don’t fit in,” said Grace, describing the feelings of many gifted students in both the classroom and social settings. The hour ended with Octavia Spencer, who plays Mary’s friend and neighbor. Spencer noted the fact that Mary connects with her character, Roberta, who is over 30 years older than her, shows how intellectually advanced she is. It is a well-known fact that , so I found Spencer’s observation very astute.

Most interesting is the story behind the movie. Screenwriter Tom Flynn was inspired to write the movie because of his gifted sister, as well as her two gifted daughters. Flynn has noted in interviews that he wrote the screenplay because of the characters and to tell the story of a gifted child. The team behind the movie worked to get the joys and struggles of gifted kids right, even visiting a school for gifted children and talking to their families.

Obviously, no movie can perfectly portray the nuances of giftedness, and Gifted can be said to be a Hollywood-version of the struggles these students face. But the care taken by the cast and crew to portray Mary’s struggles is evident and the film is definitely worth seeing.

Looking for some other gifted characters in pop culture? Here are a few of my favorite movies and TV shows featuring gifted kids.

Based on the popular children’s book series, one of my favorites as a kid, this Netflix show adapts the first four books into an eight-episode series. The Baudelaire children have to use their gifts and wits to survive in increasingly unfortunate situations, kicked off by the death of their parents. The TV series does a great job of keeping the dark humor of the books while being loyal to the plot.

in two different, but real, ways. It’s especially good for gifted teens and pre-teens, who may be able to identify with either high-achieving Rory or bored and dissatisfied Jess.

This Japanese anime movie follows a young witch on her required year of independence. She soon starts a delivery service for the people in her new town, but then goes through a period of questioning her powers. It’s a relatable reflection on and the power of believing in your own abilities.

A favorite of the gifted community, this Jodie Foster movie is still as relevant today as when it was first released over 25 years ago. It’s a compelling story that, much like Gifted, addresses the struggles many gifted kids face choosing between academic pursuits and being a “normal” kid. I also think it’s one of the most accurate portrayals of a gifted child in pop culture.

What are your favorite movies and TV shows portraying gifted kids (or adults)?

If you would like to see a screening of Gifted, please look here for one in your area and RSVP to the email address provided. Be sure to mention ÓĹĂŰĘÓƵ!

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