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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16

Summer Springboard is officially underway on the campus of Vanderbilt University, and the excitement is real!

Students arrived on campus today, ready to launch into two weeks of learning, growth and connection in the heart of Nashville. After settling into their dorms and meeting roommates and mentors, the group quickly started forming friendships and soaking in the beautiful, tree-lined campus and vibrant Southern energy that makes Vanderbilt so unique.

With the creativity and rhythm of “Music City” all around, the possibilities feel endless, and the buzz on campus is contagious.

What’s ahead? Students are gearing up for hands-on classes, engaging excursions around Nashville, and True You sessions designed to spark self-discovery and inspire big thinking. Whether exploring local landmarks, diving into thought-provoking discussions, or building new connections, this group is ready to make the most of every moment.

The adventure has just begun, and we can’t wait to see what these next two weeks bring!
Here are some highlights from the start of the program:

• We prepared the front desk at Vanderbilt dorms for our students’ arrival.
• Students arrived with their parents and moved into their dorms.
• We moved to a lecture hall, where students had pizza for dinner, played their first SSB Kahoot, and had their first round of orientation!
• Students split into their mentor groups for the first time!
• Students appear to be hitting it off with each other and already forming friendships!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

Parents, your teens have jumped into their first week with enthusiasm and curiosity, diving headfirst into a vibrant mix of hands-on academic courses, eye-opening True You workshops, and engaging excursions around campus and beyond.

They’re not just learning, they’re discovering new strengths, building lasting friendships and starting to shape their futures in exciting ways.

From lively classroom discussions to exploring the Nashville area, your teens are making the most of every moment and embracing challenges with confidence. As Week 2 approaches, there’s even more in store: more opportunities to grow, connect and prepare for the next chapter of their journey.

We’re thrilled to watch their progress and can’t wait to share what’s next!

Here are some highlights from the first week of the program:

• Our students had a tour with the Vanderbilt Admissions Team! They asked some great questions and learned what makes for a strong college application.
• The students went on their first academic excursions! The music production students sung with a virtual choir at the National Museum of African American Music.
• During free time, the students love to spend time outside, throwing a frisbee or a football, and playing kickball too!
• College Readiness Workshops have educated the students on money management as well as leadership.
• Our mentors, Thuy and Lexy, have witnessed the students open up and blossom into more confident young adults over the course of this week. Students were reasonably pretty shy when they arrived, but now they are actively engaging in classes and enjoying each other’s company far more. Evening activities, academic excursions, mentor group meetings, and ice breakers have been incredibly instrumental in this shift.

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26

That’s a wrap on a memorable Summer Springboard experience!

What a journey it’s been on campus. After two incredible weeks of hands-on academic courses, inspiring True You workshops and adventurous weekend excursions, our students have crossed the finish line of an unforgettable Summer Springboard program. They’ve explored new ideas, challenged themselves and made friendships that will last long after they leave campus.

Throughout the program, students gained valuable insight into their college major interests and career aspirations, while reflecting on the kind of learners and future professionals they want to become. From engaging classroom discussions to real-world experiences beyond campus, this summer has been all about growth, discovery and setting the foundation for what’s next.

We’re so proud of everything they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see where their journeys take them. Here’s to new beginnings and exciting futures ahead!

Here are some highlights from the final week of the program:

• We visited Beech Bend in Kentucky and staff rode nearly every ride with the students!
• Movie nights became a very popular and almost nightly event.
• Students were awarded country-themed superlatives during their completion ceremony, matching the theme of our soiree.
• The students enjoyed duck pin bowling and local pizza at Pins Mechanical Co. in Nashville.
• Our Forensic Science students visited a courthouse during their Wednesday excursion and sat in on a real, active case.