Throughout the academic year, Melinda Giampietro, Options Founder/President, will share some of her favourite things in her monthly Founder’s Feature. Melinda loves reading, data, research, and following academic and adolescent news around the world.
Because June is so busy, this is a quick one!
June Professional Development of the Month
Last month, I was invited with 40 other school counsellors and consultants from around the world to visit Bocconi in Milan, Italy. It was an excellent trip. The highlight was the student panel, which was thoughtful and intentional. It included a student from each of their programs. It was enlightening to hear about their experiences within their faculties. We also completed a campus tour and a walk around of the surrounding area. A second highlight was attending the guest lecture by economist Michele Carlana about Stereotypes and Inequalities in Education. It was a special treat to have a beautiful dinner at Cascina Cuccagna, a farmhouse in the middle of Milan. This trip reinforced the importance of getting to campuses to understand the nuances that make each curriculum and place unique.
June Graduation Speech Highlights of the Month
Those of you who have followed along with Founders for a while know I love graduation speech season. I find them incredibly inspirational.
My favourites this year were delivered by Eric Church and Jonathan Haidt.
Mr. Church, a North Carolina native, spoke at the UNC, Chapel Hill graduation. I am a BIG fan of his and was lucky to catch his show in Vancouver this past November. He spoke with his guitar and highlighted the six guitar strings as messages for a well-tuned life. His speech was light, yet compelling, sincere, yet avoided being overly preachy. It was also an example of passing on your own passion and expertise. My two favourite strings were: Ambition & Resilience (G String): These pull in opposite directions and require constant tuning, and You (High E): Retaining your individuality and not giving in to societal pressures. You can watch it here.
I am a fan of Mr. Haidt’s 2024 book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. He gave this year’s graduation speech at NYU. It was controversial with students protesting and booing him, likely due to his messaging from a different book: The Coddling of the American Mind., but I found his speech a worthwhile watch. He had three main themes: Treasure Your Attention, Do Hard Things, and Build Real World Relationships. I really appreciated his emphasis on regaining our own attention away from all the technology distractions that actively compete for it daily.
June Event of the Month
I was so excited to attend the BC Business Women of the Year event in May. It was such an empowering evening. I was there to celebrate my Growing Leaders Forum co-founder and fellow The Forum board member, Christina Brown. She is one dynamite superstar. It was exciting to also recognize Options supporters Cindy Beedie and Jen Murtagh. Also, I am such a fangirl of Stephanie Simmons, Founder and Chief Quantum Officer of Phototonic. I am intrigued by her message that we are four or five years away from a quantum revolution that will make AI look small. I appreciate how much thought BC Business put into recognizing women from so many different industries and professions (from airports to policing). Way to go, Ryan Benn and BC Business.
June Graduation Gifts of the Month
In May, I led our annual Grade 12 Parent Night webinar. It is one of my favourite events of the year. We discuss how to launch students for post-secondary success. I share my wisdom of having done seven residence moves to both boarding school and university. In honour of the Class of 2026 and graduation, here is my recommended shopping list:
- Ikea bluebags ($40 for a pack of 4)
- Desk chair pad (or a new desk chair)
- LED desk light
- Really good bedding (and LL Bean flannels for winter)
- Fridge with a freezer
- Mini blender
- Bed risers
- Winter boot mat
- Several over-door hooks (for towels and jackets)
- Mini vacuum/Cleaning kit
- A real alarm clock (I’d recommend a Hatch or Philips Sunrise Alarm Clock, but they are pricey)
For those students starting their post-secondary journey at home, I recommend a “fluff budget” to give their high school room and study space a new feel.
To read more Founder’s Features, check them out under the Options News category.
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