The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) has announced the award recipients of the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (CDB) for the Class of 2025, a four-year high school scholarship for gifted learners to attend an optimally matched high school program to help them work toward meeting their unique intellectual and personal potential.
Locally, Emily Hackwelder and Nathan Liang, both of Carmel, were among the recipients.
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.
“When given the access and opportunity to learn in an environment that meets a student’s intellectual needs, their whole self is awakened,” said Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-Founder of IEA. “This scholarship provides financial and personal support so these exceptionally gifted students can focus on their quest for knowledge and work toward their full potential.”
This year’s 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, IEA 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’s 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,” said Bonnie Raskin, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program Director at IEA. “The 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, IEA 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.