by IEA Staff
“It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes
Every year, the Bradley Seminar brings together our national cohort of current Caroline D. Bradley Scholars along with alumni, parents, educators, guest speakers and IEA 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 IEA’s hometown of Pasadena, California. This year’s 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 Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) Scholarship Program has been supported by the generous vision of one donor, founded on the premise that our nation’s 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’s 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’s visionary, Sarah D. Barder, who generously donated the space to the Institute for Educational Advancement in 2011 to serve as the main offices for IEA, 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 IEA 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. Dr. Patty Gatto-Walden – licensed psychologist and IEA senior fellow – 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 – president and co-founder of the Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) – 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’t 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, Gifted, 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, Gifted.
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. One parent commented: “I expected intellect and passion. I wasn’t prepared for the humility, integrity, and wisdom. I feel more hopeful now, knowing that these young students are becoming our next generation of leaders.”
Thank you to our entire CDB community, IEA staff, and HPM Associates for a refreshing and memorable weekend – we can’t wait until 2018!
Congratulations, CDB Senior Class of 2012!
CDB Junior Class of 2013 – it’s your turn next year!
CDB Sophomore Class of 2014
CDB Alumni at the 2017 Seminar
See more photos of the Bradley Seminar on our Facebook page!
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