On Wednesday night ILC members had the honor of being recognized by the school board. Our generous sponsors were present at the meeting such as Vice President of KNN Public Finance, Dave Olson. Mr. Olson is a Yale alumnus and also attended our La Folie dinner in San Francisco. Our principals were present and supportive. The audience was very welcoming and I was glad to hear from last year’s Yalies.
On Thursday night the Yalies and I attended a dinner with Dr. Minh Luong from Yale University. Dr. Luong is Associate Director of the Ivy Scholars Program. The night encompassed delicious food and intriguing information given by Dr. Luong. I was able to ask all my questions about Yale and specifically the Ivy Scholars Program and was extremely satisfied with all of Dr. Luong’s answers. My questions ranged from Yale University and its undergraduate students, campus and alumni to Dr. Luong’s incredible political expertise and insight.
Both nights were very beneficial, productive and have made me even more excited for the Yale Ivy Scholars Program this summer!
Thanks Brandon,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you had a wonderful time at the dinner. I see that you are impressed by the level of discourse and the support that the ILC provides to our district students.
You summarized the night in your post well, however, when you are reflecting on the program and why you applied what about this program has changed your feelings about opportunities for highly motivated and higly skilled students? The Ivy League Connection can only improve if we hear beneath the veneer and learn what you hope to gain from this program.
Dr. Luong has intentionally made the Yale Ivy Scholars one of the best programs for High School Students in the country. He looks for highly motivated and gifted students who he can push to new heights. Heights that many students never could see themselves handling and under such pressure. I know that you can handle the rigor, and I am also believing that you will adjust to the pressure and move beyond your own expectations.
This is the first year for Middle College High School. I will be intrigued to see how you as well as the other two who are going to Columbia will hold up. I am pleased that we have you aboard and I look forward to hearing your reflections upon your return.
Take care.
Charles T. Ramsey, Esq.
School Board Member
West Contra Costa
Unified School District
Thanks Mr. Ramsey,
ReplyDeleteI am sure that I will have a more in-depth analysis of the program and its ways of making me a better student and intellectual thinker.
Correction: Dr. Luong is Director of Ivy Scholars Program, Associate Director of Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy, Assistant Director of International Security Studies and Faculty Fellow at Yale School of Management (SOM).
A more in-depth analysis of the program once I experience it, that is.
ReplyDeleteBrandon,
ReplyDeleteI thought you all comported yourselves quite well at both the Board Meeting and at the dinner. It's always a pleasure to see you all in your Sunday's finest.
This small and intimate dinner should whet your appetite for what you can expect when you head back to Yale. The program is tough and the work will be excruciating but in the end I think you'll find that you're a better person because of it.