ATA College Application & Essay Workshop, Aug 2-5

Dear ATA Seniors:

As the summer leads to its hottest moments, I am sure you are all working toward your end-of-summer goals, making plans for the future, and thinking about what college might look like for YOU. You are about to embark on your last year of high school, and then off to college. This is an amazing time in your life. It is also a very busy time in your life. It is a time of transitioning into young adulthood with new responsibilities. With classes, work, tennis tournaments, college searches, applications, essays, keeping up with responsibilities and chores, you may feel as if you have too little time to accomplish it all during the hours of the day.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, begin your senior year with less stress. Take some time this summer to knock out your college application and essays.
Register for the College Application and Essay Writing Workshop
Aug 2-5, Tuesday-Friday
10:30am-12:30pm
at ATA College Prep

A course fee of $350 will be billed directly to your ATA account.

You will receive personal attention in completing the Common Application and receive advice and guidance on your Personal Essay. You will also research colleges and gain insight into the best matches based on your personal criteria. This workshop is intended for rising seniors, but rising juniors may also benefit from the college search and writing exercises.

Includes:
Introductory Counseling Session
Personalized Interactive College Search
Crafting an Introductory Letter to Coaches
Review of the Common Application
Selecting Recommenders
Brainstorming Session for Personal Statement & Essays
Practicing Interview Skills for phone and on-campus visits

I recognize many of you will be traveling during all or part of this time, but you are welcome to take advantage of the days you are here and then follow up with private or small group sessions available during the fall.

Remember that all of the work you have invested up to this point is going to pay off and that you are going to find the perfect college experience.

Contact Carol.Hagar@AustinTennisAcademy.com for additional information and to register.

Looking forward!

Carol Hagar
ATA College Prep
512.423.1105

The ATA College Prep Community Honors The Class of 2016

The ATA College Prep community came together earlier this month to celebrate the graduating class of 2016.

Set in the serenity of the Spanish Oaks hills, a few hundred family members and friends of the graduates attended the commencement ceremony. Before Head Coach Doug Davis offered his customary invocation,Director of ATA College Prep Carol Hagar opened the evening and welcomed the guests.

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“Over the years, I have witnessed these student-athletes struggle, accomplish, and develop into strong young men and women and it has been an honor to work with each of them. I hope that the lessons learned here will continue to guide them into thoughtful futures and continued transformations. I know they will each add a great deal to their excellent university communities.” ~Carol Hagar

As the sun set behind the trees, the community personally honored and celebrated each graduate. Hunter Bleser, Sofia Burnett, Chase Bartlett, Payton Holden and Erik Kerrigan were each recognized through commemorative video tributes, introduced by two loved ones who know each graduate best, and finished by addressing the audience with a few words of their own.

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Continuing a CP tradition, each graduate selected a Senior Legacy Quote that will be installed as pavers in the campus garden. Their selections are below.

Chase Taylor Bartlett will attend St. Edward’s University next fall. His trainer/mentor Dio Miranda and friend Garrett Reiter spoke on his behalf.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene

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Hunter Nicole Bleser will attend the University of Virginia next fall. Her grandfather Franklin Cutler and brother Ryan Bleser spoke on her behalf.

“God didn’t bring you this far to leave you.” – Philippians 1:6

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Sofia Burnett will attend Washington University next fall. Her friend Sarah Masaryk and trainer/mentor Dio Miranda spoke on her behalf.

“What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Payton Holden will attend Princeton University next fall. His friend/mentor Philip Berber and his Aunt Renee Pethtel spoke on his behalf.

“But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – J.K. Rowling

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Erik Kerrigan will attend the University of Chicago next fall. His friend Aksel Taylan and English teacher Tommy Collins spoke on his behalf.

“The world’s a stage and I want the brightest spot.” – David Lee Roth

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After the presentation of the graduates, Christopher Stevens, a Notre Dame Professor, Producer and Entrepreneur, offered the commencement address titled Living The Dream.

“What a thrill to see how every child should be so blessed to graduate. ATA is a very special place and the fine institutions the five graduates will attend this fall is testimony to the quality education they have received. Moreover, the sense of wanting to give back and help those less fortunate than they are seems to run in the DNA of every student. It was truly a privilege to be at the ATA graduation ceremony.”

~Chris Stevens

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CEO Jack Newman closed the graduation ceremony by initiating the Passing Of Leadership To The Class of 2017. This tradition of handing off the ATA ball symbolizes the hand off of responsibility for leadership within the greater Academy group for the next year.

A year from now, this group of leaders will look to continue the CP tradition of 100{37ef6ac642fae6f93f343032eb62785d28fa7a25a4a4f0267a12512c541c53a9} college matriculation to some of the top schools in the world.

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Congratulations to each of the ATA College Prep graduates of the class of 2016! Check the ATA College Prep Facebook page for more pictures from the evening.

As Parents… What Can We Do? Try the 30-30-30 rule!

Parents often ask what they can do at home to help reinforce the ATA & CP messaging of ‘strive for the pursuit of excellence’ and ‘study for the love of learning’.  I love this!  It is truly the village that creates the community, and together we can make a bigger impact.  One thought that comes to mind,  is to encourage them to “Show up.  Listen.  Always do your best.”  Another thought that comes to mind is to model what you wish for them to do: complete tasks joyfully; study diligently, practice what you love to do; and perform with dignity.

In relating specifically to building better study habits, some things that you can do at home are:

1) Ask the right questions.  ie. Instead of asking “How was your day?”, which may result in a one word answer of “fine”,  ask “What are you reading about in History?”, which requires thought and dialog. OR instead of  “Do you have any homework?” which is task oriented, ask “What will you be studying tonight?” which is habit oriented. This develops a proactive mindset instead of a passive one.

2) Designate an evening ritual as ‘study time’ or ‘family time’.  To optimize the effects, it should be repeated each night, at the same time, in the same location, and with minimal distraction. Establish 30 minutes (or longer) to gather at the dining table or in the living room, with no TV, computers or cellular devices. Read. Discuss. Play a game like Bananagrams, Boggle, Yahtzee, etc.

3) Practice this study habit with your child for the next 30 days. Review her day. Ask her to explain the topics she currently studying in each class. Help her locate the process to solve a problem.  Show her how to learn.

4) Read aloud to your family or read silently as a family.  30 pages a day is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your child that will result in improved academic performance and character evolution.  It is also a beautiful way for your family to connect each day.  Suggested books that will spark discussion include: The Chosen, To Kill A Mockingbird, Moby Dick, The Alchemist, Three Cups of Tea, Never Let Me Go, The Giver… or perhaps one that she is currently reading at school.

As parents, we want the the very best for our children.  Emphasize the quality of long-term practice over short-term results.  Show them that you value how they spend their days.  And teach them to appreciate the way in which you spend yours.

Try the 30-30-30 rule: 30 minutes, 30 days, 30 pages.

Let me know what happens next.

Take care, ~Carol

ATA College Prep: Growing Excellence

Several years ago, as Josh began to invest more time in tennis, and I in the ATA community, I began to envision an educational support system that could better equip Josh for a college future that included tennis. I combined my academic philosophy and love of education with Josh’s love for tennis, and together with Coach Newman’s established ATA vision, we created the seeds of the community school, which is now ATA College Prep.

IMG_0983                English I/II with Ms Wheat

During the past 7 years, these seeds continue to grow and flourish through many branches. ATA CP is now a fully accredited private school with 12 dedicated instructors. Our curriculum continues to evolve as rapidly as our students’ minds. Our graduates continue to leverage excellent college placement. And our facilities continue to improve to better serve the community.

IMG_0899               Spanish class with Ms Flanagan                                      

This summer, the ATA CP classroom facility was moved onto the ATA campus. As with many transitions, it brought along with it growing pains. Offices, pro shop, people and equipment were displaced and scattered in construction. But with the focus of the overarching vision and mission, and guidance of the ATA leadership, the community is in full bloom once again. Courts boast beautiful new surfaces; ATA CP classrooms are light and bright; the new pro shop offers a welcoming front to our members and visitors at the south entrance of the fitness center, which is redesigned for maximum efficiency.

IMG_0974                Kristin and Callie practice vocabulary                                

The Austin Tennis Academy is a community of coaches, teachers, parents, and student athletes committed to living the sport of tennis. The ATA facilities and our entire staff continue to improve so that we may offer the very best in developing tennis, academics and character in junior student athletes and future citizens of significance.

IMG_0985                Abigail annotates Emerson as Payton dives into his textbook. 

By: Carol Hagar, Director, ATA College Prep

LIFE IS LIKE A PRISM

Life is like a prism.
The way you see it depends on which side of the glass you are looking through.

When light hits water or a prism, it bends. A single beam of white light is really a combination of all the visible colors. So when white light bends, all of its components (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) also bend. But they bend at different angles because each color travels through water or glass at a different speed.

This refraction results in beautiful rainbows.

We can learn a lot about how we approach life from this simple prism lesson. We are likened to a prism as we have several facets to our personalities. We take in information through our senses and then communicate it through our filters. Ideas come in and we refract, reflect and project them through our lenses – our filters of communication.

In CP Leadership we have been discussing how these filters create perception. The more clarity we have in identifying personal facets, the more aware we become and therefore better prepared for reflection. Some thoughts and actions add clarity and some can cloud the view. What thoughts create your prism?

Life is like a prism.
The way you see it depends on which side of the glass you are looking through.

~Carol Hagar

College Visits: Try Before You Buy

from Carol

There is no better way to understand the culture of a school than to be on the campus, take a tour, and visit with current students and admissions officers. If you are able to take advantage of this part of your college search, it will bring you confidence that your selection is the best fit – academically, athletically, and culturally.

During a visit, you are evaluating the school.

How will this environment serve your growth and development? What criteria are most important to you? Consider the location, population, class size, programs and degrees, social opportunities, post-graduation opportunities.

During the application process, the school is evaluating you.

How will you positively impact this community? Do you have the necessary attributes to be successful here – competitive grades, scores, rankings, community service activities? Do your homework. Research the school’s website.

On your visit… Be Yourself

Take a tour. Ask questions. Visit with the guide. He or she is usually a student and will love to talk about personal experiences at the school. Walk the campus, set up an interview with admissions. If available, sit in on a class. Visit the student center or lounge. Visit the dining halls. Visit the library. These are the places that can give you a sense of the campus culture.

Academics… Educate Yourself

How many students can you expect in your lower and upper level courses – 15 or 150? Is this a teaching university or a research university? Who teaches classes – professors or grad students? What year are you required to declare a major? Can you double major? Is your major available to athletes? Is academic scholarship available? Meet with an admissions counselor.

Athletics… Develop Yourself

When you are considering the best fit for pursuing athletics, consider the goal. How do you hope to use tennis as a tool for your personal development? Which school is more appropriate for your goals? Are you hoping to further your training to become a professional athlete? What type of coaching style do you prefer? How many are on the team roster? How many spots do they have for your graduation year? Is scholarship money available? Are you competitive with the players currently on the team (UTR)? Visit the sports facilities. Meet with the coach.

Culture… Know Yourself

All of the above criteria creates culture, but you should also pay attention to details. Is the school located in the heart of a big city? Is it a small school? or is it a school the size of a small city? What is the ratio of undergraduates to graduates? What clubs or other student activities may be of interest to you? Art? Singing? Greek life? Philanthropic work? Is there a travel abroad program? What are the opportunities after graduation? Does this culture fit YOU?

 Before You Go

Write: 1) your personal statement – a few sentences about who you are and what you want from your college experience; 2) your numbers – GPA, SAT/ACT, UTR; 3) questions for admissions, coaches, students. Keep this with you during tours and interviews to take notes and to remind you of your questions.

After Your Visit

Jot down pertinent and interesting facts. Take pictures to remind yourself later of some of the unique things about the school and the people. Do this during or immediately after your visit while it is fresh on your mind.

Summary

A ‘good college’ is one that fits you. It supports your goals and dreams. College visits are like trying on clothes before you make a selection. Prior to purchasing an entire 4-year wardrobe of a college or university, try it on for size, color, style, and comfort. It will likely increase your satisfaction by ten-fold!

College and the Perfect Mix by Carol Hagar

Carol Hagar, Head of ATA College Prep, has written the following memo on how to get into the college of your dreams and factors to consider in deciding if that college is a good fit for you. Click here to download a PDF version of the memo.

College Picks and the Perfect Mix

by Carol Hagar

What is the magic formula to get into the college of your dreams?  And how will you know if you can pay, play, and make the grade? There is no single magic formula, but there are some basic ingredients that can get you into the kitchen… IF you are willing to dedicate yourself to the process.

The complete potion requires time and discernment – which can be aided by parents, coaches and mentors – but let’s begin with the basics.  A few key ingredients are: grades, tests scores, senior schedule, athletics and most importantly, your character.

1) Grades: Most schools (and NCAA) will look at your GPA using your core classes, not with the added inflation of electives and PE grades.  As a general rule: there is no minimum number of courses for college entrance.  It is expected that you complete an English, a math, a natural science, and a social science class each year, as well as 2-4 years of a second language, and an array of electives.  It is also expected that you have taken the most challenging course load that your school offers AND that you can do well in.  College admissions will review and ask, “Are you a good fit for our school, meaning will you be successful? Have you been steady and diligent throughout high school and kept a solid GPA?  Have you taken a challenging array of courses?”  If you are looking at top tier schools, they expect you to have taken top classes in your high school – AP or honors or dual credit – proving your ability and desire to study and learn. If not, what are the extenuating circumstances?

2) Standardized tests: Because it is difficult to fully assess the variants inherent in comparing hundreds of thousands of high schools, teachers, courses, etc., college admissions compare standardized ACT or SAT scores.  Critical Reading and Math comprise the number that colleges use to determine your admissibility.  A quick visit to the school’s website will give you the middle range of scores for incoming freshmen.  Merit-based aid is usually awarded beginning at 1200 (critical reading + math) but requirements may be higher or lower depending on the school’s percentage acceptance rate.  For students who are motivated to do well and have the aptitude to study, there are many companies, tutors, websites and books available for test prep at a variety of fees.  Before employing a service, I recommend that you request a baseline assessment and a guarantee for a percentage of score increase.

3) Senior Course Schedule: Colleges determine your acceptance based on your performance through your junior year. It is expected that you will continue in a disciplined manner throughout your senior year. The courses you select for your senior year are the last opportunity for you to prepare for the next level of academic rigor. College admissions officers want to see that you are challenging yourself and performing at your best in preparation for their coursework for the following year. Choose wisely!

4) Athletics: What does it take to get noticed by tennis coaches? On a recent trip to the boys 16-18’s nationals in Kalamazoo, I visited with several college coaches and from those discussions, I compiled the following list of desirable traits:

a) Rankings and significant wins against players with similar profiles to their current roster

b) Technique and technical skill

c) Potential and desire to further develop as an athlete

d) Intelligent shot selection and ability to craft a point

e) Attitude and resiliency

f) Discipline and work ethic

g) Ability to lead teammates by positive example

5) Character: If you will notice in the list above, it includes more character attributes than physical or ranking results. Winning is very important, but so are your attitude and sportsmanship.  How do you translate to others the all-important, intangible character attributes that you possess and practice? Are you active in any community service activities? Do you volunteer? Have you been committed to a cause or project over a period of time? Do you have a job? Have you experienced hardship? What makes you unique? Your ability to prioritize, goal set and make the decisions to meet them will set you apart from the rest.
In summary, winning matches is the best way to get the first look from college coaches.  Your discipline and dedication will keep them looking.  But it is your attitude, resiliency, and ‘coachability’ that will make them a true fan.

How can parents help in guiding the college process?

As in all major decisions affecting the life of your child, you want the very best for him or her. Determine whether this is yours or your child’s decision, or a combination of both.  This will avoid frustration and will serve to clarify goals.  Guide your child in how to research colleges using the factors meaningful to your family values and requirements.  Make sure that the school is a good match academically, culturally, and athletically. Your child will be spending a great deal of time with the coach and team, who will serve as a second family during the next four years.  Here are a few things to consider:

  1. Philosophy of the school
  2. Academic match
  3. Network for chosen studies
  4. Coaching style
  5. Culture of the team
  6. Importance and potential of playing time
  7. Cost: athletic/academic scholarship vs. financial aid
  8. Location, distance, and ease of visits

Although it appears to be an arduous task with many variables, this creative process can be an enjoyable experience. Prioritize your personal formula and stay true to the recipe.

The time you begin this process depends on the preparedness of you and your child.  Begin to gather the ingredients and, regardless of where you are in the process, categorize them and play with the possibilities. Eventually, everything ripens and is ready to create a unique and powerful opportunity.

Looking forward!

Carol Hagar

Head of ATA College Prep

Carol.Hagar@AustinTennisAcademy.com

The Process of Being Unique : The HOW & WHY of Learning

If you are going to make a difference in the world, you will soon learn that you can’t follow the herd.

In order to lead, one must possess a strong sense of direction. One must have a purpose and understand the meaning behind his or her action.  One must also be able to communicate this so that others may follow.

To educate means to ‘lead out’.  Our world’s greatest political and spiritual leaders have dedicated their lives to educating and leading… as have parents, teachers, coaches and mentors.

As such, parents sometimes can become more concerned with how little Johnny is performing when compared to others instead of as compared to his unique progress.   Sometimes we can lose sight of the larger, more important factors of learning in lieu of just getting the grade.  However, if a student is encouraged to understand “how” she learns, and “why” something can be exciting, and then be inspired to satisfy the curiosity… it can make all the difference between her success and her failure.

This is the primary difference between a linear, one-size-fits-all education which can create followers – regurgitating back what is given, and an individualized education which can create leaders – sparking interests that bring about change.  One takes the same ingredients of structured content and attempts to produce a standardized outcome, and then order each one in numerical order.  The other attempts to structure time in order to teach a student to think, to learn ‘how’ to learn, and to discover ‘why’ this adds interest and value to his or her life… in other words to lead out and to feed the curiosity that is within and develop one who can gain mastery of himself.

At CP, students are encouraged to focus on the HOW and WHY of learning.  Through identifying their own learning styles and learning about varying ways brains process information, they are learning to use their unique strengths to gain knowledge, problem solve and consciously create their future.

So, projecting forward, which one will more likely stand out in the stacks of resumes and college applications?  Which one will be more likely to further the vision of an idea… of a company… of the world?   Number 5 out of 789 or this ONE who masters pieces of his or her Self?  Hopefully… both.

Remind YOUR child that he or she is a unique ONE… regardless of where he or she may be in line.

~Carol

I Have A Dream… from Carol

Each morning at CP we contemplate lessons of life through quotes from the great minds of significant worldly and spiritual leaders. In honor of Martin Luther King’s birthday, we reflected on this quote:

Life’s most persistent and most important question is, “What are you doing for others?”

Within each of us lies a profound purpose for our life’s mission. It is enlivened by our experiences, our friends, our mentors, our teachers, our parents.  These are the elements that shape our thoughts and allow us to dream of things greater than our current awareness.

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Dr Martin Luther King is a wonderful example of a citizen of significance – he had a dream and he set forth to make it a reality.  A dream that was planted in his heart – one the he recognized. One that he believed in and fortified with his passion and his education.  His innate curiosity and imagination led him to the people and knowledge and avenues and ideas that manifested the miraculous March on Washington which created a shift in the way our nation views race and ability and compassion and human rights and the laws that protect them. He continued to carry a torch that he was given and he passed that torch on to many others before he passed on. His dream has lighted the way for many since.

Dr. King’s passion to make his dream a reality could have led to violence, more oppression and greater division between races. However, his wisdom and commitment to the Higher good allowed his mighty lessons to come through without the might of destruction. He kept in the forefront his service to the greater good.

As we teach our children to set goals, to dream of something greater than they can currently see or imagine, let us remind them to consider the impact on others. This can fortify their mission, serve others and teach them the significance of being a mighty citizen of this community and beyond.

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Empower your child’s dreams by guiding them to the necessary foundational knowledge and principles, and by surrounding them with the people that can support and build upon that foundation.

Around the dinner table, on family trips, reading together, and in communities like ATA, all are excellent places to begin dreaming the dream that can bring about significant changes.

I had a dream to create an environment where children could pursue their passions and not be penalized for pursuing excellence.  I had a dream to create a place where children could create excellence and take ownership of their higher education.  With support from others who share the dream, this has become a reality.  Just as MLK set out to change the perspective on race, I have set out to change the perspective on education and self awareness.

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I Have A Dream that the children in this program will be the change we wish to see in the world.

Looking Forward,
Carol

Law of Giving and Receiving

The universe operates through dynamic exchange – giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe.  Through our willingness to give what we wish to receive, we keep abundance circulating in our lives.  Put this to work in your life: 1) Bring a gift to whoever you encounter today – a complement, a prayer, and kind thought, a flower.   2) Gratefully receive all that life has to offer you today. Notice the gifts in nature and in the people and lessons around you. 3) Recognize the most important gifts of caring, affection, appreciation. love.  Gift these to everyone you see today.

When you perform anonymous acts of kindness and expect nothing in return, not even a thank you, the Universe responds in kind with the response, “How may I be kind to you?”

During a recent morning meeting, CP students discussed the Law of Giving and Receiving and noted that true giving transcends the barriers of language and distance.  We viewed (silently) this inspirational VIDEO and reflected on ways we can commit to give and receive willingly and consciously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x_Fl3NQVd4

 

The Rhythm of Gratitude

The theme of Global Citizenship is at the forefront of the CP curriculum this year and we recognize respectful, educated, active, kind, and grateful as necessary attributes in a global citizen.  We often begin our mornings by simply reflecting on things and people for which we are grateful. It sets a wonderful tone for the rest of the day. Regardless of possible anxiety for an upcoming test or an occasional disastrous morning workout, remembering to be grateful opens the heart which in turn opens the mind. This connectivity to the law of giving and receiving does not have time for anything but positive thoughts.

Please enjoy this article on Gratitude.

 

The Rhythm of Gratitude    ~David Orr

Happiness lies in the understanding that life without “wonder” is not worth living.  In giving thanks for the wonder that is life, we can restore harmony and balance in our own lives. 

After reflection I have come to believe that the great Rabbi Abraham Heschel had it right – that the source of dissonance is ingratitude.  “As civilization advances,” he wrote, “the sense of wonder almost necessarily declines…humankind will not perish for want of information; but only for want of appreciation.  The beginning of our happiness lies in the understanding that life without wonder is not worth living.  What we lack is not a will to believe but a will to wonder.”

Heschel, here, connects appreciation with the sense of wonder and awe.  The problem as he defines it is simply that as a “mercenary of our will to power, the mind is trained to assail in order to plunder rather than to commune in order to love.”

But why is gratitude so hard for us?  This is not a new problem.  Luke tells us that Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to say “Thank you.”  That’s about average, I suppose.  In our universities, we teach a thousand ways to criticize, analyze, dissect and deconstruct, but we offer very little guidance on the cultivation of gratitude – simply saying “Thank you.”

And perhaps there is no cause for gratitude amidst the cares and trials of life?  Shakespeare has Macbeth say that life is “but a…tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”  Political philosopher Thomas Hobbes similarly thought that life was full of peril and death: “nasty, brutish, and short.”  And many of us find our bodies, incomes, careers, and lives as less than we would like, whatever we may deserve.

But most of us would find life without appreciation rather like a meal without flavor or living in a world without color, or one without music.

Gratitude comes hard for many reasons.  For one thing, we spend nearly half a trillion dollars on advertising to cultivate ingratitude otherwise known as the seven deadly sins.  The result is a cult of entitlement to have as much as possible for doing as little as possible.  For another, the pace of modern life leaves little time to be grateful or awed by much of anything.

But there are deeper reasons for ingratitude.  Gratitude does not begin in the intellect but in the heart.  “Intellect,” in David Steindl-Rast’s words, “only gets us so far…our intellect should be alert enough to recognize a gift, but to acknowledge a gift as gift requires an act of will and heart.”  To acknowledge a gift is also “to admit dependence on the giver…but there is something within us that bristles at the idea of dependence.  We want to get along by ourselves.”

To acknowledge a gift, in other words, is to acknowledge an obligation to the giver.  And herein is the irony of gratitude.  The illusion of independence is a kind of servitude while gratitude – the acknowledgement of interdependence – sets us free.  Only “gratefulness has the power to dissolve the ties of our alienation,” as Steindl-Rast puts it.  But “the circle of gratefulness is incomplete until the giver of the gift becomes the receiver; a receiver of thanks…and the greatest gift one can give is thanksgiving.”  Saying “Thank you” is to say that we belong together:  the giver and the thanksgiver; and it is this bond that frees us from alienation.

But all of this is just so many words.  We live more fully in and through stories.  Here are two that continue to be particularly powerful in my own life.  My Aunt Emma, who died just short of her 100th birthday, was a teacher and builder of clinics, schools, and churches in rural Mexico, well into her nineties, when she was diagnosed with what was thought to be terminal cancer.  Even with that diagnosis she did not slow down, and she never complained.  Appropriately, at Thanksgiving dinner a year after the doctor told her she might have a year to live, she turned to me and asked if I could take her to the airport later that afternoon.  I thought she was kidding but finally realized that she was absolutely serious.  I said, “Aunt Emma, don’t you have cancer?”  To which she responded, “Oh yes, I do, and it’s such an inconvenience.”  She flew to Mexico that afternoon and made the long trek up the mountain where she was involved in the building of a community church and clinic.  She died five years later of old age, all signs of cancer having disappeared.  She did not have time for cancer.  She had word to do – gifts to give.  Her entire life was a gift of generosity, energy, and good heart.

Gratitude changes the rhythm.  It restores the cycle of giver and receiver, extending our awareness back in time to acknowledge ancient obligations and forward to the far horizon of the future and to lives that we are obliged to honor and protect.  Gratitude requires mindfulness, not just smartness.  It requires a perspective beyond self.  Gratitude is at once an art and a science, and both require practice.

The arts and sciences of gratitude, which is to say applied love, are flourishing in ironic and interesting ways.  Businessman Ray Anderson has set his company on a path to operate by current sunlight and return to waste product to the Earth.  Biologists are developing the science of biomimicry, which uses Nature’s operation instructions evolved over 3.8 billion years to make materials at ambient temperatures without fossil fuels or toxic chemicals; rather like spiders that make webs from strands five times stronger than steel.  The movement to power civilization from the gift of sunshine and wind is growing at 40 percent per year worldwide.  The American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council have changed the standard for buildings to eliminate use of fossil fuels by 2030.  Could we, in time, create a civilization that in all of its ways honors the great gift and mystery of life itself?

Can true gratitude transform our prospects?  Can we harmonize the rhythms of this frail little craft of civilization with the pulse of the Great Heart of God?  I believe so, but gratitude cannot be legislated or forced.  It will remain a stranger to any mind that lacks compassion.  It must be demonstrated, but above all it must be practiced daily.

DAILY bREAD for Families

“The decline in SAT scores has a lot to do with not reading …  The ability to read is linked to the ability to process, analyze and comprehend information, … I guess that’s called thinking.”     ~Donald M. Stewart, College Board President

Michael Silverblatt of “Bookworm” uses an analogy that young people might find more persuasive: “Just as people who don’t work out can’t do certain things with their bodies, people who don’t read can’t do certain things with their minds.”

There is no way to cram for reading comprehension… just as there is no way to cram for stamina.  You may want to run a marathon, but you won’t be able to succeed without regular training that builds up to the culminating event or events.   You may want to squat 225lbs, but you will need to practice with diligence for an extended period of time to build up the required strength.  You may want to have $1 million dollars invested in your retirement account by age 30, but unless you begin the investment early and care for it over a period of time, you are likely to come up short.  And you may want to score well on the SAT exam, but in order to do so, you need to put in the time, the diligence, and the vested effort in growing your brain, your thought processes and your stamina for thinking.  You cannot build a muscle in a day, but you can choose to practice strengthening it every day.

So it is with reading.  It should be a daily practice.  Like eating… you don’t eat a week’s worth of food in 1 hour… so why would you try to do it with reading.  Take a bit each day and with each word, grow your stamina and your comprehension.  Yearn to learn and learn to read.

So… what is your Daily bREAD?  Instead of turning on the television, why not sit down for 30 minutes and read as a family?  At first, it may take more time and energy, but as with any good investment, it begins to grow with less input… and the payoff is well worth it.

 

In the Field – Trips for Change

Chalk up another CP field trip… this time for girls only.  Why did we choose a movie day instead of a day in the classroom?  Today, we traveled around the globe to learn the stories of nine young girls who face a litany of injustices – like child slavery, abuse, and arranged marriages – mostly before age 11.   Even under the threat of enormous obstacles, these brave girls tell their story of hope and determination, demanding an education so they may turn around their own lives and force greater change in the world at large.  Stories are told through artistic imagery and narrated by some of Hollywood’s most compassionate actors and actresses.  Girl Rising made an impact on our own young CP students and challenged them to rise and become change-makers.

Onward and Upward, Carol

Aptitude or Attitude… What Are We Looking For?

Harvard receives over 40,000 applications each year.  About 2,000 of those applicants are accepted and just over 1,600 enroll as freshman*.   And each year at Harvard and at each of the other 2,000 degree-granting colleges and universities, this process begins with admissions counselors pouring over applicants in a dauntingly speedy manner in order to flesh out the most interesting XX {37ef6ac642fae6f93f343032eb62785d28fa7a25a4a4f0267a12512c541c53a9}.  So how do they accomplish this?  Who meets the criteria? What are they looking for?

Inquiring CP students want to know, so we engaged in an interactive discussion featuring the questions that college admissions boards members have ruminating in their heads while reading.  They include questions that roughly fit into four categories: Growth & Potential, Interests & Activities, Character & Personality, Contribution to Community.  We took the sampling below and read them aloud, contemplating how we think about and exemplify each in our daily lives.  It is a thought-provoking list and may offer many topics for conversation around the dinner table.

 

Have you reached your maximum academic and personal potential?

Have you been stretching yourself?

Have you been working to capacity in your academic pursuits, your full-time or part-time employment, or other areas?

Do you have reserve power to do more?

How have you used your time?

Do you have initiative? Are you a self-starter? What motivates you?

Do you have a direction yet? What is it? If not, are you exploring many things?
Where will you be in one, five, or 25 years? 

Will you contribute something to those around you?

What sort of human being are you now? What sort of human being will you be in the future?

Do you care deeply about anything—intellectual? Extracurricular? Personal?

What have you learned from your interests? What have you done with your interests? How have you achieved results? With what success or failure? What have you learned as a result?

In terms of extracurricular, athletic, community, or family commitments, have you taken full advantage of opportunities?

What is the quality of your activities? Do you appear to have a genuine commitment or leadership role?

If you have not had much time in high school for extracurricular pursuits due to familial, work, or other obligations, what do you hope to explore at college with your additional free time?

What choices have you made for yourself? Why?

Are you a late bloomer?

How open are you to new ideas and people?

What about your maturity, character, leadership, self-confidence, warmth of personality, sense of humor, energy, concern for others, and grace under pressure?

Will you be able to stand up to the pressures and freedoms of college life?

Will you contribute something to Harvard and to your classmates? Will you benefit from your college experience?

Would other students want to room with you, share a meal, be in a seminar together, be teammates, or collaborate in a close knit extracurricular group?

*information compiled from CollegeBoard, Harvard and personal counselor meetings

A Whirlwind in DC

I spent a few days with some of the greatest creative minds in education.  The 2013 Advanc-Ed Summit was held in Washington DC and the focus was Successful Learning in the Digital Age.  While I was really looking forward to the inspirational architecture, history and messaging intertwined throughout the sites of our nation’s capital, I was surprised to find just as much stimulating insight through the events and speakers at the Summit.

I was honored to meet Sir Ken Robinson, author, inspirational TedTalk speaker, advocate for education revolution, and the keynote speaker for the event.  He spoke about the immense opportunities to lead the changes for education out of the industrial age and into the digital age. Sir Ken’s School Kills Creativity is a favorite TedTalk of mine and his books – The Element, and Out of Our Minds – inspire us to demand creativity as the forefront of our education.

Next, I visited with Dr Steve Perry (on Oprah in July) who is an MLK style visionary implementing change as the principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in addition to authoring, Push Has Come To Shove: Getting Our Kids The Education They Deserve – Even If It Means Picking A Fight.

I also heard from members of the teaching community of U Penn and Washington U, and had breakfast with Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President of Education.

Although many of the break out sessions still asked questions based on the old paradigm of education and one that still stems from an industrial age, many private and public schools are implementing dynamic changes, much like ATA College Prep.  However, it is clear to me that we are definitely on the cutting edge of where true education is headed.  All of the buzz phrases and ideas – blended learning, credit awarded for off-campus activities, rewarding performance instead of seat time, self-pacing, hiring experts over certified teachers – which were being thrown around in presentations and topical discussions are all things that we have been doing for years at CP, and even more years ago through small, focused, leadership and home education models.  You see, the goal of a broad liberal arts education strives to liberate the mind and free its creative nature, rather than fill it with a common list of skills deemed necessary to fit into the assembly line of workers.

The highlight of the Summit, the closing ceremony featured 3 students who are practicing owning the responsibility of education.  They have each created and developed their own start-ups, campaigns, or designed part of their course loads during the latter part of high school.  They shared personal stories of why schools have failed them, how they have been supported, and what can be done to improve education, as well as the impact of mentor relationships.  One young man is creating a template for high school students to defend their knowledge acquisition through unique and performance-based expert presentation options rather than standardized tests.

Out of the mouths (and minds) of babes come a great deal of wisdom… and we should listen!

At ATA CP, I am proud that we create mentoring relationships, stretch the mind, afford opportunity to grow in many directions… and that we strive to do it in creative and entertaining ways.  After all, isn’t that what learning is?  Loving to learn about who we are and who we are becoming in an ever-changing world of beauty.

Looking forward!  ~Carol

 

Laws of Giving and Receiving

The universe operates through dynamic exchange – giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy throughout the universe.  Through our willingness to give what we wish to receive, we keep abundance circulating in our lives.

Put this to work in your life:

1) Bring a gift to whoever you encounter today – a compliment, a prayer, and kind thought, a flower.

2) Gratefully receive all that life has to offer you today. Notice the gifts in nature and in the people and lessons around you.

3) Recognize the most important gifts of caring, affection, appreciation. love.  Gift these to everyone you see today.

At CP, we have been discussing the Law of Giving and Receiving and ways we can commit to give and receive willingly and consciously.  As we silently viewed this inspirational VIDEO, we noted that true giving transcends the barriers of language and distance.

Community Clean Up

Pudding cookie sweet oat cake bear claw. Marshmallow apple pie pastry chocolate cake dragée jujubes marshmallow topping liquorice. Gummies toffee pastry Lorem Applicake marshmallow pastry chocolate caramels jelly danish carrot cake wafer. Gingerbread gummi bears candy topping pastry. Liquorice cotton candy candy chocolate cake cotton candy candy marzipan jelly. Icing chupa chups jelly beans bonbon.

Chocolate bar tart macaroon. Marzipan biscuit brownie sesame snaps. Candy canes lemon drops donut caramels donut. Chocolate cake jelly donut wafer tiramisu cupcake danish jelly-o jujubes.

Blake Davis: Mind Over Matter

ATA CP Alumnus Blake Davis is amid his senior season as a Florida State Seminole. Now in a leadership role on the team, Blake calls upon his lengthy tennis resume, but also his experience of fighting through numerous injuries throughout his career to guide him through whatever challenge is in his, or his teams, way.

With the meat of his senior season looming and a job on the horizon upon its completion, Blake and his Seminoles are dialed in and have high hopes for the coming year.

Below, Blake is featured in a short video courtesy of Seminole Productions, titled Blake Davis: Mind over Matter. Enjoy a closer look into Blake’s Seminole experience.

Photo Gallery

Take a look at some photos of the students on the court and in the classroom!

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