Students apply for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship in the seventh grade and are required to complete a rigorous portfolio application process, which includes essays, middle school transcripts, letters of recommendations, and a work sample. Eligible applicants must also achieve scores at or above the 97th percentile on nationally normed standardized tests.

鈥淭he Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship is a wonderful opportunity to not only financially support some of the brightest young minds in the country, but to welcome them into a nurturing community,鈥� said Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-Founder of 优蜜视频. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a key part of our mission to support gifted youth so that they can become thought leaders, problem solvers and successful individuals.鈥� 

The CDB selection committee is comprised of a diverse group of nationwide high school and university admissions directors, CDB alumni, community members, and business leaders. The rigorous selection process took place over the course of several months, wherein the committee met both virtually and in-person to review scholarship applications and interview candidates.

Over the course of the next several months, 优蜜视频 staff, current CDB Scholars and CDB alumni will provide guidance and assistance to the entering class of 2026 Scholars as they begin to identify potential high school programs, complete applications, and prepare their individualized educational plans for next year鈥檚 high school entrance.

鈥淓very year, we鈥檙e fortunate to get to know and work with a new crop of highly gifted and motivated middle school students,鈥� said Bonnie Raskin, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program Director at 优蜜视频. 鈥淲e want these individuals to develop their unique voice and channel their passion into a bright future, and our goal is to be alongside them every step of the way.鈥�

The program, which began in 2002 and is generously funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the United States. To date, 优蜜视频 has awarded more than 350 scholarships to gifted learners and alumni who are already making their mark on the world. Currently, there are 225 alumni, 125 of whom have graduated from college and are in the work force, attending graduate school, or participating in international service and fellowship programs.

The application for the next class of Caroline D. Bradley Scholars will be available in November 2021.

2026 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars: 

• Daniel Baek, Arcadia, California
• Ziv Bard, Los Angeles, California
• Mae Beauvoir, Seattle, Washington
• Daryn Burnette, Trinity, Florida
• Alicia Chen, Palo Alto, California
• Audrey Cho, Oradell, New Jersey
• Colin Chu, Palo Alto, California
• Nola Foran, Studio City, California
• Matthew Gao, Skillman, New Jersey
• Zarah Guillemet, Los Angeles, California
• Henry He, Andover, Massachusetts
• Michael Larson, Flower Mound, Texas
• Kayla Ling, Hillsborough, California
• Sydney Mafong, San Diego, California
• Joshua Mak, New York, New York
• Vishnu Mangipudi, Bellevue, Washington
• Sahara Muhammad, Somerset, New Jersey
• Allison Nieves, Rosemead, California
• Thomas Nordahl, Westwood, Massachusetts
• Amirah Ogweta, Portland, Maine
• Anya Reppa, Mequon, Wisconsin
• Juniper Rogers, Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Tiffany Sun, Exeter, New Hampshire
• Alex Tran, Hillsboro, Oregon
• Ava Truong, Wichita, Kansas
• Stephanie Wang, Forest Hills, New York
• Sriya Wint, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Brandon Xu, Simpsonville, South Carolina
• Christopher Zeng, Longmeadow, Massachusetts

For more information about this scholarship or any of 优蜜视频鈥檚 other programs and services, visit

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (优蜜视频) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation鈥檚 gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of 优蜜视频 is a commitment to the development of the whole child through engaging educational experiences that promote optimal challenge, mentorship, exploration of ideas, and recognition of personal potential. 优蜜视频 seeks to connect like-minded individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, 优蜜视频 supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit .

About the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program

优蜜视频鈥檚 Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program is one of the few U.S. high school scholarship programs that is need-blind and awarded solely on the basis of merit to highly gifted seventh graders. Since its inception in 2002, the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship has served over 350 students with academic and social support, high school tuition and a lifelong network for mentorship and peer connections.

###

Now through March 30, 2021, current seventh-grade students may apply for the scholarship. Students are required to complete a rigorous portfolio application process, which includes essays, middle school transcripts, two recommendations, and a work sample. Eligible applicants must also achieve scores at or above the 97th percentile on nationally normed standardized tests. The application can be found . 

鈥淎 gifted and talented student needs a specialized education to truly reach their potential,鈥� said Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-Founder of 优蜜视频. 鈥淏y nurturing each student鈥檚 intellectual and personal needs, this scholarship helps shape the next generation of leaders.鈥�

Three selection committees, comprised of a diverse group of nationwide high school and university admissions directors, CDB alumni, community members, business leaders, and 优蜜视频 staff will meet both virtually and in-person to review scholarship applications. Due to COVID-19, students will only need to provide standardized test scores for the 2018-2019 school year. Standardized test scores are not necessary for students in programs that do not offer them, including home-schooled students.

The program, which began in 2002, is currently funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. It is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the United States. To date, 优蜜视频 has awarded 349 scholarships to gifted learners and alumni who are already making their mark on the world. Currently, there are 196 alumni, 112 of whom have graduated from college and are in the work force, attending graduate school, or participating in international service and fellowship programs.

For more information about this scholarship or any of 优蜜视频鈥檚 other programs and services, visit or follow us on social media:

• Facebook:
• Twitter:
• Instagram:
• LinkedIn:

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (优蜜视频) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation鈥檚 gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of 优蜜视频 is a commitment to the development of the whole child through engaging educational experiences that promote optimal challenge, mentorship, exploration of ideas, and recognition of personal potential. 优蜜视频 seeks to connect like-minded individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, 优蜜视频 supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit .

About the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program

优蜜视频鈥檚 Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program is one of the few U.S. high school scholarship programs that is need-blind and awarded based on merit to highly gifted seventh graders. Since its inception in 2002, the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship has served over 300 students with academic and social support, high school tuition and a lifelong network for mentorship and peer connections.

###

Students apply for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship in the seventh grade and are required to complete a rigorous portfolio application process, which includes essays, middle school transcripts, two recommendations, and a work sample. Eligible applicants must also achieve scores at or above the 97th percentile on nationally normed standardized tests.

鈥淲hen given the access and opportunity to learn in an environment that meets a student鈥檚 intellectual needs, their whole self is awakened,鈥� said Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-Founder of 优蜜视频. 鈥淭his scholarship provides financial and personal support so these exceptionally gifted students can focus on their quest for knowledge and work toward their full potential.鈥�

This year鈥檚 selection committee process looked different due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Each of the three selection committees, comprised of a diverse group of nationwide high school and university admissions directors, CDB alumni, community, and business leaders, met virtually to review scholarship applications. Additionally, instead of in-person interviews conducted by the CDB staff with each of the finalists and parents, interviews were conducted via video conference. Despite the virtual format of the interviews, each of the finalists brought a unique perspective and sense of connection to the rigorous application process.

Over the course of the next several months, 优蜜视频 staff, current CDB Scholars and CDB alumni will provide guidance and assistance to the entering class of 2025 Scholars as they begin to identify potential high school programs, complete applications, and prepare their individualized educational plans for next year鈥檚 high school entrance.

“It is a privilege to get to know and work with these 28 highly gifted and motivated middle school students and watch them thrive throughout their high school experience,鈥� said Bonnie Raskin, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program Director at 优蜜视频.鈥淭he Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship brings together a cohort of individuals with their own unique voices, accomplishments, and passions and affords them the support and opportunities to develop their full potentials and soar.”

The program, which began in 2002 and is generously funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the United States. To date, 优蜜视频 has awarded 349 scholarships to gifted learners and alumni who are already making their mark on the world. Currently, there are 196 alumni, 112 of whom have graduated from college and are in the work force, attending graduate school, or participating in international service and fellowship programs.

2025 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars:

Alexander Acosta, Washington, DC

Sophia Bhatti, Chadds Ford, PA

Wolfram Bikel,Los Angeles, CA

Francesca Burnett, New York, NY

Matthew Chang, Irvine, CA

Isabela Chou, Albuquerque, NM

Antonia Comaniciu, Princeton Junction, NJ

Julian Dans, Hermosa Beach, CA

Tianyi Evans Gu, Superior, CO

Sarina Fernandez-Grinshpun, Mountain View, CA

Katelyn Gan, Irvine, CA

William Ge, Wayne, PA

Lillian Graham, Burlingame, CA

Emily Hackwelder, Carmel, IN

Elias Javier, Durango, CO

Eli Krasnoff, Mill Valley, CA

Tanmay Kulkarni, Redmond, WA

Nathan Liang, Carmel, IN

Sophia Liao, Palo Alto, CA

Michael Lu, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Isabell Luo, Belmont, MA

Sabinah Marie Morris, Los Angeles, CA

Audrey Orum, Mill Valley, CA

Roxane Park, Hanover, NH

Jaansi Patel, Edison, NJ

Chandler Smith, Sevierville, TN

Divya Thomas, Tulsa, OK

Anthony Yang, Charlotte, NC

Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients!

The application for the next class of Caroline D. Bradley Scholars will be available in November 2020.  to be updated on the latest news, events, and more.

Photo by  from 

The program, which began in 2002 and is generously funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the U.S. To date, 优蜜视频 has awarded 321 scholarships to gifted learners and alumni are already making their mark on the world. Currently there are 172 alumni, 115 of whom have graduated from college and are in the work force, attending graduate school or participating in international service and fellowship programs.

鈥淲hen learning environments appropriately challenge each individual鈥檚 capabilities and address their personal needs, gifted students are far more likely to gain the tools required to realize their intellectual and personal potential,鈥� said Elizabeth Jones, President of 优蜜视频. 鈥溣琶凼悠� is honored to award scholarships to these deserving students thanks to the generosity of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. Now 28 gifted students of the Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) Scholar class of 2024 will have the financial and personal support they need to fuel their passion, curiosity and advanced intellectual ability.鈥�

Students apply for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship in the seventh grade and are required to complete a rigorous portfolio application process, which includes essays, middle school transcripts, two recommendations and a work sample. Eligible applicants must also achieve scores at or above the 97th percentile on nationally normed standardized tests and score competitively with high school seniors on the SAT Reasoning or ACT tests. Four regional Selection Committees comprised of a diverse group of high school and university admissions directors, CDB alumni, and community and business leaders nationwide were tasked with choosing 63 finalists out of a pool of nearly 400 eligible applicants. Each of the very qualified CDB Finalists met with members of the CDB staff for an interview as the final step in the Scholar selection process.

Over the course of the next several months, 优蜜视频 staff, current CDB Scholars and CDB alumni will provide guidance and assistance to the entering class of 2024 Scholars as they begin to identify potential high school programs, complete applications and prepare their individualized educational plans for next year鈥檚 high school entrance. 鈥淭he Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship creates a life-changing experience that goes well beyond a high school scholarship,鈥� said Bonnie Raskin, Program Director. 鈥淪cholars receive support and counsel from the Institute for Educational Advancement through high school and become part of a community of intellectual peers that they can rely on for support, shared information and networking for the rest of their lives. This is a very exciting moment in these students鈥� lives.鈥�

2024 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars:
Acie Abner, Bowie, MD
Adam Azevedo, San Francisco, CA
Amanda Castillo-Lopez, Aurora, CO
Sophia Chen, Tustin, CA
Anne (Annie) Chian, Orange, CA
Jacob Cohen, Menlo Park, CA
Benjamin Ely, Grantham, NH
Logan Eskildsen, North Palm Beach, FL
Tristin Hurst, Wallingford, PA
Grace Jones, Santa Cruz, CA
Connor Keeney, San Antonio, TX
Alexandra Kim, Pasadena, CA
Jaeho Lee, Rexford, NY
Anna Levin, New York, NY
Bhushan Mohanraj, Charlotte, NC
Enrique Perez, Los Angeles, CA
Rishi Rai, Aurora, CO
Achyuta Rajaram, Sharon, MA
Dorothy Swanson Blaker, Portland, OR
Sophie Szeto, Seattle, WA
Riya Tyagi, Short Hills, NJ
Alex Wa, Duluth, GA
Caitlin Wassell, Ellensburg, WA
Corinne Wingate, San Mateo, CA
Grace Wu, Middleton, WI
Henry Yao, Sunnyvale, CA
Nicolas Zepeda, Sun Prairie, WI
Alex Zhao, Kirkland, WA

Congratulations to all of 2024 class of award recipients! We welcome you to the 优蜜视频 community.

Applications for the 2020 scholarship will be available in November 2019. To be notified when the application is available, .

On February 9, 2019, 优蜜视频 celebrated its 20^th anniversary! The event took place at Annandale Golf Club with over 100 guests in attendance. Student volunteers played music, facilitated jeopardy and mingled with guests. One family even put on a photo booth for the event! It was truly a wonderful night filled with old and new community members celebrating 20 years of friendship and services for gifted youth.

The evening also honored several key players in 优蜜视频鈥檚 development as an organization: . The honorees flew in from all over the country for the occasion.

Student speakers, Nico and Alondra, shared about their experiences with 优蜜视频 and the impact that the programs, teachers and support have had on their life.

After dinner, a there was a DJ, dancing, desert, more jeopardy and photos.

All in all the evening was a wonderful success. Thank you to all of those who helped support this event, including: Dennis Finnerman, Jill Hawkins & MHP Events, the sponsors and guests. We are so grateful for all of you!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Giant Sequoia

The Bradley Foundation
The Burke Family

Jeffrey Pine

Betsy Jones & Ted Mergenthaler
The McDonell Family
Teri and John Valentine

Live Oak

The Balbuena Family
Becky and Peter Knell
The Lee Family
Math Academy
Parents of Alexander Miller
Rodriguez, Horii, Choi & Cafferata, LLP
The Tracey Family

Media Sponsor

Pasadena Now

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

As part of the festivities, we will be honoring two groups instrumental to the founding of 优蜜视频.

优蜜视频 Senior Fellows

The Senior Fellows have years of experience working with gifted youth and shaping gifted discourse. Their expertise was crucial to the development of 优蜜视频 through the research and implementation of the awarding winning camps.聽 Their years of service as facilitators at Yunasa and advisors to 优蜜视频 remain invaluable.

Dr. Patricia Gatto-Walden is a licensed psychologist who has worked holistically with thousands of gifted and profoundly gifted children, adolescents, and adults for more than 35 years. In her adjunct educational consulting practice, she has helped parents, educators, and administrators understand and accept the multifaceted inner world and needs of gifted individuals. Dr. Gatto-Walden additionally provides two-day comprehensive family retreats, entitled 鈥渆ducational consulting and family renewal,鈥� which blend counseling and consulting services. She is a featured speaker at gifted conferences and educational workshops throughout the nation.

Michael M. Piechowski, Ph.D. is the author of Mellow Out, They Say. If I Only Could: Intensities and Sensitivities of the Young and Bright and Living with Intensity (with S. Daniels). Earning a PhD first in Molecular Biology and later in Counseling Psychology, he served as a faculty member at three universities and one small college. He has published extensively in the areas of emotional development, developmental potential of the gifted, and emotional and spiritual giftedness. He is one of the original designers of Yunasa. In 2016 he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by SENG and the NAGC Global Awareness Network Annemarie Roeper Award.

Stephanie Tolan, M.A. is author of 27 books of fiction for children and young adults, including the Newbery Honor Award-winning novel Surviving the Applewhites and Applewhites at Wit鈥檚 End, Listen!, Welcome to the Ark, Flight of the Raven, and Ordinary Miracles. Her non-fiction writing includes Guiding the Gifted Child (co-author), Change Your Story, Change Your Life, and an article about highly gifted children that has been translated into more than 40 languages, 鈥淚s It a Cheetah?鈥� She is a well-known lecturer and advocate for highly gifted young people.

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation

The has been a pivotal supporter of 优蜜视频 since the organization鈥檚 inception. Their generosity has assisted 优蜜视频 in its general operations, public policy efforts, and technology program.

In 2014, with generous support from Sarah D. Barder, The Bradley Foundation has continued to fund the 聽 initiative. 聽Since its inception in 2002, the program has awarded 293 high school students with merit based scholarships. These students are provided with the resources and guidance to find and attend an optimally-matched high school program that meets their unique intellectual and personal needs. This guidance and support continues throughout their high school careers.

Support from The Bradley Foundation has enabled 优蜜视频 to serve thousands of gifted children over the years and continues to help us fight for a population very much in need of services.

Join the Celebration!

Join us on February 9th at our 20^th Anniversary Celebration, to be held at The Annandale Golf Club of Pasadena, and help show our appreciation for these and other exceptional advocates for gifted education.

To sponsor and/or purchase tickets or a program ad to the event, click .

The program, which began in 2002 and is generously funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the U.S. To date, 优蜜视频 has awarded 263 scholarships to gifted learners, and alumni are already making their mark on the world.聽 Currently there are 126 alumni, 89 of whom have graduated from college and are in the work force, attending graduate school and/or participating in international service and fellowship programs.

鈥淓very child deserves the opportunity to learn in an appropriate, challenging and engaging educational environment. We must support our advanced students to grow as individuals and global citizens who are able to contribute to the innovation, strength and growth of our nation,鈥� said Elizabeth Jones, President of 优蜜视频.聽 鈥淭hanks to the generosity of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, 30 gifted students of the Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) Scholar class of 2018 are assured resources to fuel their passion and support their advanced learning in a challenging learning environment.鈥�

Three regional Selection Committees comprised of a diverse group of school admissions directors, CDB alumni, university personnel and community and business leaders nationwide were tasked with choosing 58 finalists out of a pool of hundreds of applicants. Each of the 58 CDB Finalists, from which the 30 were chosen, met with members of the CDB staff for an interview.

Over the course of the next several months, 优蜜视频 staff, current CDB Scholars and CDB alumni will provide guidance and assistance to the entering class of 2018 Scholars as they begin to identify potential high school programs, completing applications and preparing their individualized educational plan for next year.

2018 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars:

• Benjamin Acosta, Montclair, VA
• Veer Agarwal, Farmington Hills, MI
• Joy An, Bellevue, WA
• Evalynn Bogusz, Leesburg, VA
• Josh Caruso, Stone Mountain, GA
• Vivian Chan, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
• Daniel Choi, Hartsdale, NY
• Soren Cowell-Shah, Portland, OR
• James Crabtree, West River, MD
• Sophia Eno, Woodside, CA
• Luke Gialanella, Marina Del Rey, CA
• Sadie Hastings, Los Angeles, CA
• Aurora Jackson, Oswego, IL
• Davin Jeong, Beverly Hills, CA
• Arul Kolla, Arcadia, CA
• Joyce Li, Lake Zurich, IL
• Michelle Mahoney, Hillsborough, CA
• Desirey Manon, Santa Fe Springs, CA
• Stella Nakada, New York, New York
• Olivia Oh, New York, New York
• Abraham Rochez, Los Angeles, CA
• Stella Schick, Durham, NC
• Espen Slettnes, Castro Valley, CA
• Carter Smith, Jersey City, NJ
• Mia Tavares, Burlingame, CA
• Maya Vendhan, Highlands Ranch, CO
• Abigale Wee, Menlo Park, CA
• Yunrui (Ryan) Yang, Easton, CT
• Jessica Zhao, Austin, TX
• Alex Zitzewitz, Hanover, NH

Congratulations to the 2018 Scholars! We welcome you to the 优蜜视频 community.

Applications for the 2019 scholarship will be available in November 2018. To be notified when the application is available, .

On February 22-24, 2013, we hosted the 10th annual Bradley Seminar in San Jose, California. The event, funded by , provides an amazing opportunity for the , their parents, and alumni to come together each year for a three-day conference to discuss issues of global importance and personal relevance.

The 优蜜视频 community has found great personal and collective growth in sharing and learning together in an emotionally safe environment. Our most powerful moments have involved cross-generational discussions where each individual feels heard and supported. The Seminars offer a perfect forum to focus on a purposeful theme that causes us to look inward and to challenge ourselves to grow, not only intellectually, but also personally. This year, the theme was 鈥�Know Thyself.鈥�

Those of us who work with highly able youth seem to agree that the unique social and emotional issues related to their giftedness, coupled with adolescence, cause the majority of 鈥渟tressors鈥� in these students鈥� lives. In an effort to assist our population in dealing with stress, we explored aspects of resiliency and identification of personality types.

Prior to the event, participants read excerpts from The Resilience Factor by Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatte and completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). These served as a starting point for conversation.

Knowing thyself 鈥� personality types

After a Friday evening welcome for Scholars, alumni, and parents, Saturday began with reflections and discussions on learning to deal with stress. 优蜜视频 President Elizabeth Jones led the group in exercises to learn what issues or situations 鈥減ushed鈥� individual buttons and presented key points on how to develop resiliency. This dialogue set the stage for learning and exploring personality types. Guided by 优蜜视频 co-founder and president of The Davis Group Ltd., James W. Davis, we discovered our personality types and learned about the characteristics of each type. Mr. Davis emphasized that the MBTI is a starting point to use to understand your preferences and grow, not an excuse to stay stuck in your ways. Some things are easy and natural, while others require growth. MBTIs help you understand where there is room to grow.

Parents and kids alike were interested to see how they were similar and different in their personality types. In many cases, the MBTI helped shed light on familial interactions and communication barriers that have been present but not understood for years!

Learning about different personality types at the Seminar encouraged us to better understand our own temperaments as well as those of our friends and family. It helped provide a structural foundation for understanding differences and methods for seeking out, incorporating, and acknowledging the value of other viewpoints.

Exploring Silicon Valley

On Saturday afternoon, the Scholars ventured to two amazing companies: and .

In the fun and inviting setting of Udacity鈥檚 offices, Scholars had lengthy discussions with our hosts about course design, the technology behind online open courseware, business models, career preparation, work environments and the future of education.

Bloom Energy was a haven for our chemistry and physics enthusiasts. We toured the facility and learned about the clean, renewable energy they are developing. Discussions ranged from how their fuel cell systems are made and operated to why a new energy source like Bloom Energy鈥檚 is necessary and how it will change the world.

Udacity and Bloom Energy encourage innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. They are driven by the unique makeup of their employees, all of whom bring different perspectives to the table. These are the types of workplaces our Scholars will need. These are the environments that will allow them to thrive, and we were thankful that the Scholars were able to see companies like these in action.

Stress response 鈥� and why we should limit it

Saturday night, Dr. Robert Sapolsky delivered a fascinating and highly entertaining talk about the stress response and how it affects our bodies. Dr. Sapolsky is The John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor of Biological Sciences and Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Stanford University. He is also a research associate at the Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya. Many of us were amazed to discover the variety of ways in which the stress response 鈥� biologically designed to keep us alive in threatening situations 鈥� negatively affects our bodies over time as we experience chronic psychological stress. Relaxation techniques provided in a Sunday breakout session were in high demand after hearing Dr. Sapolsky speak!

If you want a glimpse of Dr. Sapolsky鈥檚 expertise, take a look at the videos and . We highly recommend these!

Let鈥檚 continue the discussions鈥�

We are always amazed at the caliber and depth of discussion at the Seminar. Adults and students alike ponder challenging personal and global issues. These discussions among future thought leaders provide a foundation that builds confidence, tolerance, and personal growth.

Over the weekend, we reflected on our own personalities and how knowing ourselves in more robust ways can help us relate to and work better with others. We thought about and discussed the implications of our personality types as well as the impact of stress on our lives. 鈥淪omehow, you made it possible for me to meet tons of fascinating new people, learn so much about myself and how I interact with others, and gain an insight into how startups work in the Silicon Valley, all in one, short weekend,鈥� explained one Scholar.

Reach out and support a bright young mind. Teach them to think. Help them embrace who they are and all that is possible.

Like this post? Please share!

March 23 鈥� 25, 2012, we hosted our annual Caroline D. Bradley Seminar in Atlanta, Georgia. The event, funded by , provides an amazing opportunity for the and their parents to learn and grow intellectually and personally in a unique community.

Each Seminar deals with a theme that focuses on looking inward and challenging ourselves to grow, not only intellectually, but also聽personally. We all could benefit from time to reflect on things like core values, the importance of resiliency, good and evil, and how to open our minds to possibilities.

Scholars, parents, and CDB alumni participate in cross-generational conversations that tackle these challenging topics each year. This year, the theme was 鈥�Possibilities.鈥�

Using the video 鈥淟eadership: An Art of Possibility鈥� by Ben and Roz Zander as a starting point for the conference, the group discussed aspects of opening up your world to possibilities.

Quiet the Voice Inside Your Head

One of the major points of the video was to 鈥渜uiet the voice in the head鈥� 鈥� the inside voice that is always talking to us! 鈥淵ou are not prepared,鈥� or 鈥渢hat was a silly thing to say,鈥� or 鈥渞eally, you had to eat the whole thing?鈥� all come from that voice.

It was fascinating to hear what voices played in the heads of each age group. They really are not all that different. That was a revelation to many.

Rule #6

Another popular take away was rule # 6. In the video, Ben Zander tells this story:

Two prime ministers were discussing issues of state. A field aid enters the room franticly waving his hands. 鈥淪ir, I am sorry to interrupt but鈥︹�� The prime minister stops his trusty aid and says, 鈥淩emember rule # 6.鈥� The aid smiles and leaves the room.

A few minutes later, another staff member enters the room clearly upset, hair disheveled saying, 鈥淧rime minister, I really need to speak to you. You see鈥︹�� He, too, is stopped and told to remember rule # 6.

When the meeting is interrupted a third time with the same outcome, the visiting prime minister is overcome with curiosity. 鈥淲hat may I ask is rule number 6?鈥�

Beaming, his colleague answers, 鈥淩ule #6 is don鈥檛 take yourself too seriously!鈥�

鈥淲ell, that is great 鈥� what are the other rules?鈥�

鈥淭here aren鈥檛 any!鈥�

The Possibilities Imagined

I am always amazed at the caliber and depth of discussion at the Seminar. Adults and kids alike ponder life-changing or affirming issues. These discussions among future thought leaders provide a foundation that builds confidence and tolerance.

Over the weekend we discussed how to examine old assumptions and explore new ways to approach familiar situations. We reflected on how to quiet the negative voice in the head and to remember rule #6. Armed with these and other tools, participants left realizing they have the ability to reshape or rewrite their future. Often that means stepping into unfamiliar territory and taking a risk.

If we can let go of unproductive habits 鈥� open up our mind, our heart, and聽our will to new possibilities 鈥� we can impact who we are and strive for what is possible, not just what is likely. It takes looking at something in a new way and being ready for the future. I believe the importance of this concept is that it not only articulates what a leader should do, but also who the leader is.

We have been given a gift of a country filled with bright young minds. Teach them to think. Help them embrace all that is possible.