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 . 聽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.

To celebrate the beginning of a new year, we wanted to take a look back at some noteworthy moments from 2017!

优蜜视频 has expanded and bought a house!

Through the generosity of our donors, 优蜜视频 was able to purchase a beautiful craftsman home in Pasadena. The new space houses our programs, Academy classes, and monthly聽 Gifted Support Groups. This past December, we hosted a Tree Trimming and Open House where families had the opportunity to take a guided tour, observe Academy classes, meet our dynamic Academy instructors, make DIY holiday ornaments, check out student work and nosh on cookies and hot cocoa.

优蜜视频 released results from a .

We commissioned the first ever national survey assessing the American public鈥檚 views on gifted education which found overwhelming bipartisan public support for increased funding for programs and resources for gifted students. It also indicated that the public recognizes the gifted population is often underserved. As a follow up in September, 优蜜视频 gathered gifted education leaders from across the country in Pasadena to discuss the next steps in advocating for a policy solution championing gifted learners. The gathering included a presentation of the poll results, roundtable discussions, 聽and a conversation on how organizations can work together to advocate for our nation鈥檚 gifted students. We are working on to inform and create change.

Students, parents, and supporters gathered for 优蜜视频鈥檚 Summer Spotlight.

In July, over 100 students, parents, and supporters of 优蜜视频 gathered at The Barder House for event where families enjoyed interactive demonstrations of our programs conducted by 优蜜视频 students and Academy instructors, connected with other families with gifted children, and chowed down on a complimentary barbeque dinner and drinks!

Twenty-eight middle-schoolers from across the country were named 2017 Scholars.

From an applicant pool of 386 students, CDB鈥檚 largest-ever applicant pool, 55 Finalists were selected by three Scholarship Selection Committees comprised of a diverse group of school admissions directors, CDB alumni, university personnel and community and business leaders nationwide. Following extensive personal interviews, 28 of the Finalists were selected as recipients of the 2017 scholarship. Congratulations to our !

Twenty talented high school students worked with distinguished Mentors through .

Students were thoughtfully matched with mentors who shared similar passions in their career field of interest and had professional trajectories externs hoped to pursue in the future. These externs conducted college level research and work in fields such as biomathematics, computer science, architecture, pediatric medical research, ethnomusicology and more. Also, as a new component of EXPLORE, students met every Friday to attend educational excursions and workshops geared towards building their college and career readiness.

Yunasa brought together 113 campers for a summer of fun outdoor activities, workshops led by our beloved Fellows, and community-building events.

This year, Yunasa accepted the most campers it has in its 15 years of operation. We welcomed back 77 returning campers and 36 new campers for Yunasa and Yunasa West. The goal of the one week camp is to balance all sides of giftedness 鈥撀爄ntellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical. Hannah, a 4th year Yunasa camper, shares her experience about finding her tribe at Yunasa .

Teacher trainings brought Academy instructors together to share their experience, knowledge and creative ideas.

Academy conducted 3 pre-session teacher trainings to help prepare our instructors to work with our community of gifted learners. Trainings covered such topics as support for twice-exceptional students and guest speakers included Sharon Duncan from GRO Gifted and 优蜜视频鈥檚 very own, President Betsy Jones.

优蜜视频 honored three valued members of the 优蜜视频 community, Dr. Tony Travouillon, Jason Roberts and Sandy Roberts, at the .

In November, we hosted 90 guests at the University Club in Pasadena for our annual fundraiser. The evening brought together program alumni, Mentors, parents, board members, and supporters of 优蜜视频 聽and we also honored including Academy Instructor, Dr. Tony Travouillon, who received the Educator Award, and Sandy and Jason Roberts of Math Academy who received the Community Advocate Award. The event raised nearly $30,000 to support 优蜜视频鈥檚 programs for gifted youth! Thank you to all who attended and contributed to this event!

We鈥檝e grown our online presence through our redesigned .

The Gifted Resource Center (GRC) is a free public tool created and curated by 优蜜视频 which serves as an online database of resources for the gifted community. To date, the database has over 450 gifted resources and over 15,000 page views.

优蜜视频 hosted nine free meetings.

During the school year, we offer complimentary monthly talks featuring experts on various aspects of gifted youth and education. These talks are intended for parents and educators of gifted children to provide support and community, a venue for shared discovery, and a space to exchange resources and ideas. Previous topics include Mindfulness and the Whole Child, Gifted Resource Swap, Gifted and Teenage, Homeschooling 101 and Finding the Right School Fit.

Four joined our small but mighty team.

Anvi Kevany, Administrative Assistant
Abby Daniels, Director of Development & Communications
Nicole Endacott, Program Assistant
Hillary Jade, Program Manager

And, most importantly, 优蜜视频 programs supported more than 453 bright young minds!

Needless to say, 优蜜视频 had a lot to celebrate in 2017 and we could not have done any of this without the help of our amazing community!

优蜜视频 continues to receive remarkable support from families who have benefited from our programs, as well as community partners who believe in our mission and work. Thank you to everyone who generously contributed this year, and to our amazing volunteers who assisted in our programming, marketing, and fundraising efforts. Thanks to you, we are able to deliver highly customized programs to more bright and eager learners across the country.

We look forward to an impactful 2018!

Like this post?聽聽to receive more stories, information, and resources about gifted youth straight to your inbox.

]]> /blog-iea-2017-highlights/feed/ 0 /blog-2014-at-iea-in-pictures/ /blog-2014-at-iea-in-pictures/#respond Wed, 31 Dec 2014 04:17:32 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/blog-2014-at-iea-in-pictures/ 2014 was another eventful year at 优蜜视频! Here are just a few of the highlights from the year.

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!

After an opening reception featuring cocktails and delicious hors d鈥檕euvres catered by Matt Roman, attendees enjoyed a guest lecture by 优蜜视频 parent and friend Dr. Steve Hindle. Dr. Hindle presented a comparative talk on the English and American Civil Wars, making parallels between the takeover of the British monarchy by Oliver Cromwell and the leadership of the confederacy under Jefferson Davis. Most interestingly, Dr. Hindle contrasted the memorialization of these national figures, noting the immense differences in which these notorious historical leaders have been remembered in their respective native lands. As a social and economic historian particularly interested in micro histories, Dr. Hindle was adept at keeping his audience interested and laughing while probing beneath the surface of any layman鈥檚 general knowledge of historical events. 优蜜视频 is grateful to have like-minded individuals like Dr. Hindle, who are eager to promote learning for the sake and love of learning, as members of our community.

We would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the volunteers who helped make this evening possible: Dr. Steve Hindle, for his fascinating lecture; CDB Scholar Michelle for her musical performance on flute during the reception; CDB Scholar Jarett and Apprenticeship Alumnus James for their help throughout the event; Matt Roman for the wonderful hors d鈥檕euvres; and Kevin Malone for the excellent bar service.

If you were unable to attend the event but are interested in supporting the social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth of gifted youth, please consider making a donation to 优蜜视频 today. Your support will provide opportunities for more bright young minds to flourish and grow.

Thank you again to all of our donors, guests, and volunteers. Your participation in this event has played an integral part in our fundraising efforts for this year to help us continue to provide unique and valuable programs and services to bright young minds. We couldn鈥檛 do it without you!