Four years later, we checked in with the Class of 2021 to hear how their college experiences have unfolded, what they’ve learned along the way, and where their journeys are taking them next. We heard back from six alumni and unsurprisingly, each of their paths has been as unique as they are.  

Their fields of study span Neuroscience, Education, Computer Science, Psychology, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, and Philosophy. Half pursued double majors. Many shared their favorite classes within their areas of study, such as Black Pedagogies in the Americas; Sleep, Learning, & Memory; Marine Engineering; Quantum Field Theory 2; and Abstract Algebra. One alumnus described their “most fun class period ever” in an interdisciplinary course on historical pandemics, where “we hotly debated whether the severity of the 1918 Spanish Flu should be attributed more to biological or historical factors.” Others highlighted general education that stretched their thinking, including an extensive humanities colloquium and an exploratory art history course.  

While at their universities, these scholars also took advantage of remarkable opportunities. One managed a stage production of The Winter’s Tale in collaboration with a university in South Korea. Another completed a concurrent master’s degree alongside their bachelor’s degree. One Scholar served aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR, the nation’s only heavy ice breaker, and earned the Coast Guard Auxiliary Medal of Operational Merit (the highest award available) for his work successfully incorporating and writing standard operating procedures for integrating ice information into the ship’s information systems. Another completed their degree in just 2.5 years and received an MIT Outstanding UROP (Undergraduate Research) Award, a Hertz Fellowship, the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, and the NSF GRFP. 

Today, members of the Class of 2021 are continuing their journeys in diverse ways, as a life science teacher in a Massachusetts public school, a software engineer, an officer in the U.S. Navy, a Computer Science Ph.D. student researching AI at Stanford, and one taking a gap year to focus on academic, creative, and spiritual pursuits, including completing a Russian language program.  

Each alumnus shared that the CDB Scholars Program was foundational to their college and career paths. As one reflected:  

“Thinking back to my experiences in college and high school, if I trace back many of my major decisions as a student, I inevitably return to CDB and how the program’s mentors gave me the impetus to spread my wings and approach my academic exploration boldly. I am so grateful and proud to be a CDB scholar and alumna, and to be connected to the community today.” 

Our wise alumni also offered advice for current CDB Scholars: 

• “Genuine excitement is not worth hiding—find people who appreciate that you love the world and want to understand it.” 
• “Embrace every opportunity to learn and to be open to new academic and extracurricular experiences.” 
• “If you know what field you want to go into, that’s great! However, if you don’t, that’s normal! It’s totally okay to switch your major, career goals, interests, etc. even if it’s a complete 180. College is also a time of exploration, so take those classes you are curious about and even those you think you might not like.” 
• “The job market right now is really bad for recent college graduates, especially with the onset of AI replacing many jobs. It is critical right now to have a plan in action before starting college in order to secure a job before you graduate college.” 
• “Don’t be afraid to push yourself and take courses without prerequisites.” 
• “Don’t let schooling interfere with your education.” 

Thank you to the CDB Class of 2021 Alumni Dante Holmes, Esther An, Owen Dugan, and others for sharing your stories and your continued support of IEA’s CDB Scholarship Program. We look forward to hearing more about your journeys as you continue to thrive.  

Sydney tentatively packed up for camp; she really wanted to feel included but didn’t want to get her hopes too high. She had been to summer camp previously but came home feeling less than fulfilled. 

As we entered the Howell Nature Center, all our hesitation and worry about potential disappointment disappeared. We were greeted with warm smiles and handshakes. Unsurprisingly, parents of gifted children are likely to have some, if not many, of the same traits that make our own kids so special and unique. As such, both of us almost instantly felt a sense of peace and belonging when we walked into the lodge. The opening meeting with the fellows felt like a gathering of like-minded people. We both wanted to stay for camp ourselves and learn more! We left Sydney with trust that she would grow as a person and find her people.  

When we returned that final day of her first camp, the energy in the closing ceremony was electric. Sydney’s smile and energy glowed through the room. The beautiful echoes of her laughter coupled with an obvious bond with the campers and fellows was heartwarming to witness. It felt collectively, all the staff, fellows, campers, and parents were a family on that day. A few tears were even shed. As we left, the first words Sydney said were “Mom and Dad, I have to come back next year!”  

Over the course of the following year, she continued to grow her spirit and mind along with her intelligence. She became more at peace with herself. The second summer at Yunasa continued this development. She reconnected with old friends and gained new ones. Again, she glowed when we picked her up. By virtue of the transformative impact and breath of fresh air the camp has provided us, we regularly reference positive things along the line of “this has a Yunasa type of feel.”  

Yunasa, and by extension IEA, have become a byword for good people doing good things.  

To close, a quote from Sydney: “To me, Yunasa is a place that is rather difficult to describe. It’s a place which fosters curiosity, companionship, and spirituality in young minds. I feel quite honored to be among that community – at camp, and at heart.” 

Joel and Molly Parker
Yunasa Parents of Sydney 

Learn about Alexander Hamilton, Andres Valencia, Frida Kahlo, and Kenojuak Ashevak; hear about IEA from an Academy student’s perspective; and find out if you have clout.

In Spring 2024, Academy students learned about the different sections of a newspaper and the different roles in the news office. They had the opportunity to pitch ideas, investigate, write their own articles, and serve as editors for their peers.

Learn about Greek singers, the history of cookies, and Olivia Rodrigo; find out “Should Children Be Able to Use Cell Phones in School?”; and read a riveting tale involving demons and a girl named Sage.  

In Spring 2024, Academy students learned about the different sections of a newspaper and the different roles in the news office. They had the opportunity to pitch ideas, investigate, write their own articles, and serve as editors for their peers.

Read the second Issue of The Academy Times: Student-Powered Stories below! Or download the PDF to read it with a screen reader.

Read the first Issue of The Academy Times: Student-Powered Stories below! Or download the PDF to read it with a screen reader.

PASADENA, CA – 09/26/2023 – The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA), a national nonprofit dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and advanced learners, celebrated its 25^th anniversary with a Celebration Gala. The event, which was hosted at the San Gabriel Country Club, on Sept. 23, 2023 honored the individuals and organizations that support IEA and raised funds to continue the nonprofit’s important work.

At the Celebration Gala, IEA presented the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) with an award for their partnership and dedication to the children in the community. PUSD has been a longtime partner of IEA. From 1999-2010, the organizations ran a pilot program called Pipeline to Success that provided gifted middle and high school students in PUSD with enrichment classes, Personal Education Plans, and other services, and stressed strong relationships among students, teachers, parents, Program Coordinators and enrichment teachers. Most recently, PUSD tapped IEA to deliver free, high-quality gifted and talented services for eligible students. Last year, over 130 students in grades 3-8 benefited from the IEA-lead curriculum.

IEA also honored co-founder, James Davis, past board chairs including Jennifer Burke, Jeffrey Hudson and Chris Newman for their leadership and Michael M. Piechowski for his longtime role as a Yunasa Fellow and incredible 22 years of service to gifted students.

“Jim and I wanted to create an organization to provide stimulating, rigorous programs that would address the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual and physical needs of advanced learners, while providing educators with tools and best practices to support the unique needs of gifted learners,” said Elizabeth Jones, president and co-founder, Institute for Educational Advancement.

Recognized as one of the nation’s leading organizations supporting the needs of gifted youth, IEA is one of the only nonprofit organizations providing a robust array of services in Los Angeles County. The nonprofit offers enrichment classes and learning opportunities, teacher trainings, consulting services, support groups, summer camps and scholarships for gifted learners. Since its inception in 1998, IEA has supported over 11,000 students.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the Celebration Gala included dinner and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit. For more information about IEA’s programs and services, visit www.educationaladvancement.org.

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of IEA 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. IEA seeks to connect gifted individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, IEA supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit www.educationaladvancement.org.

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This just in: Jack seemed to be dominating in Magic, the Gathering. However, in their second face off, Madeline pulled out a never-before-used defense saving herself in the last moment, and made a huge comeback by playing another card from the new deck Emily gave her just this week. 

In other news, Howell Nature Camp, already a planet-friendly place by its very mission to save and care for injured or vulnerable wildlife, has become even more environmentally conscientious than ever. This summer, camper-led initiatives have spurred trash pickup hikes along the camp’s many trails, and food a new food scraps waste management system. 

Not-to-be-missed artistic offerings of this past July included a soaring a cappella rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides,” stand-up comedy routines managing to be both wacky and actually in good taste, and the most spirited cover of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” since the minions first came on the scene.

What in the world can all these wildly diverse events have in common? Well of course, these news flashes barely scratch the surface of a single week’s worth of Yunasa memories highlighting some of Yunasa campers’ many, and profoundly intense, passions.

Yunasa lets young people be the most concentrated and complete version of themselves, in the full support of a community, or “tribe” as we often call it, of others who appreciate and truly celebrate all the sparkling facets. When I first attended Yunasa about 17 years ago, I immediately went home and told my sister that she should attend as soon as she became old enough.  That was a surprising move only because, although coming from the same parentage and family, the crossover of our major interests is pretty much zero. She wouldn’t be caught dead watching a dance video, while learning a new dance is the thing that has always excited me most. And on the other hand, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a sci-fi novel or ones about sentient robots, and have probably never read a spy series, both of which would probably make my sister ashamed to even admit she knows me.

However, at Yunasa, it’s equally possible to meet a new trusted companion with whom you can finally go in-depth with into your specific passions, or conversely with someone who on the outside, you may have very little in common. They might even come from a totally different generation! Somehow still, when we come together around the campfire to begin and end every camp, you’ll hear the words being sung out, “It’s in every one of us, to be wise, find your heart…” and it’s pretty close to a guarantee that each new and returning camper will have touched some part of that wisdom within themselves during the week. Best of all, they’ll probably have some new skills to help them feel a greater confidence in their ability to reach it again whenever it’s needed throughout the year. 

Participating in Yunasa as a counselor now feels like a yearly dream. The consecutive years of camp are often as different from one another in highlight activities, favorite jokes, or warmest bunk memories as can be, and yet the through line of them all is seeing a place where each year more people reunite with a sense of deep belonging and acceptance for all they are and are growing into. Having a summer camp that brings people from all over the country, and sometimes the world, as part of IEA’s offerings is extraordinarily special. If you are interested in joining us at camp this summer, please apply with the link below to begin your journey of being a part of a special community.

Apply to Yunasa 2023

In addition, if you are interested in contributing, any donation goes a long way toward making what was initially only a dream of the Fellows, now into a living reality. It is the opinion of a 10-year+ Yunasa veteran that the risk of some tears on the last day of camp, when you must bid farewell to friends you may not see for at least another year, is worth the opportunity of finding oneself and richly-cherished connections, which are so great a part of the Yunasa experience. 

Hi! My name is Cassie Kaplan and I am from Indianapolis, Indiana. I am currently a sophomore in college at Southern Methodist University and I am majoring in Biology and Anthropology. I attended Yunasa as a camper for four years in addition to two years as a leadership camper. I have also been a counselor at Yunasa for the past two years. My first year at Yunasa was at age eleven. I was having trouble fitting in at school and on my sports teams because I had different interests and saw the world differently than my classmates or teammates. But once I got to Yunasa, I found people just like me. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people who saw the world like I did. 

As a counselor, I have been able to help provide the same space that brought me so much joy and community during my formative years. One of my favorite moments from Yunasa this summer was the variety show, which is an open setting that allows anyone who wants to share one of their passions to do so. Performances range from singing to stand-up comedy to magic tricks. The variety show was one of my favorite activities as a camper, and it continues to be one of my favorite activities as a counselor. 

If these events and the community-feel sound like something you are interested in, I encourage you to apply to Yunasa through the application link below. We are excited to meet you and have you join the Yunasa tribe!

Apply to Yunasa 2023

Being able to return to Yunasa is such a privilege, and it is only through the generous donations given to IEA that I, along with the other counselors, are able to do so. Without the help of donors, this wonderful camp would not be able to continue to provide the home that it has been for me, and many others like me.

Thank you,

Cassie

Pasadena, CA – 11/1/2022 – Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) has partnered with local nonprofit, the Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA), to deliver high-quality gifted and talented services for eligible students. IEA is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of the nation’s gifted and high-potential youth and offers classes, resources and support for those with exceptional intellectual skills. PUSD students identified or demonstrating potential towards identification for gifted and talented education (GATE) are invited to attend after-school Innovation Clubs, a student-centered learning experience where scholars work in teams to complete a variety of design challenges, and explore independent topics of study in the STEM fields. This year, over 130 students in grades 3-8 benefited from the IEA-lead curriculum. 

“It is such an asset to be able to tap into the expertise of an organization that dedicates itself to meeting the unique needs of gifted learners,“ said Karen Anderson, Pasadena Unified School Arts & Enrichment Coordinator and GATE Specialist. “The Institute for Educational Advancement understands how to connect with our students and their unique needs, challenging them while developing their critical and creative thinking skills, and nurturing their love of learning.”

IEA’s program for PUSD includes STEM challenges like catapults, science fiction writing, Innovation Exposition mentoring, online 3D printing workshops, and environmental design projects. In order to reengage students into the school environment coming out of the pandemic, the partnership was started in spring 2022 and continues through this fall at six schools who needed additional support to run this valuable educational program. 

“For almost 25 years, IEA has helped gifted students to work toward their potential through curated learning designed with a whole child approach,” said Elizabeth D. Jones, IEA President. “Partnering with the Pasadena Unified School District’s GATE team allowed us to work within our own community to provide gifted students with academic, social, and emotional support that will benefit the children beyond the classroom walls.”

For more information about the Institute for Educational Advancement, please visit https://educationaladvancement.org/. 

About the Pasadena Unified School District

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) serves pre-K to 12th-grade students in a 76-square mile area that includes the communities of Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County. The Pasadena Unified School District prepares students for the future by inspiring the joy of learning in every child, every day. With an innovative curriculum and a commitment to excellence, the schools of Pasadena Unified develop each student’s potential so that they’re ready to succeed in an ever-changing world. For more information about the Pasadena Unified School District, please visit www.pusd.us/enroll.

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of IEA 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. IEA seeks to connect gifted individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, IEA supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit www.educationaladavancement.org.

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