Issue 6: Summer 2006 Quarter - June 2006

EEP Names in the News

Rich will present at SENG - PEEPs are welcome to attend!

Rich Presenting at SENG, Sunday July 9th. SENG is a national organization that focuses on the social and emotional needs of the gifted -- children and adults. The annual conference is scheduled for July 7-9 in Anaheim, with this year's theme being "Bridging the Gap." Rich is presenting the early college entrance alternative, emphasizing how the social and emotional needs are addressed through the EEP on Sunday, July 9th at 9:30 am. PEEPs and friends are more than welcome to attend the conference; visit the SENG website for more information.

2006 Graduates - some of the 24 EEPsters

Congrats to our biggest graduating class ever! 24 EEPsters graduated this month! Our heartiest congratulations to: Joshua Cain, 18, computer science major; Rex Cheng, 19, biochemistry major - who has won many awards including the National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship; Michael Fenton, 18, philosophy (pre-law) major; Joanna Ghosh, 18, philosophy (pre-law) major; Christopher Lee, 17, physics major - summa cum laude; Joanne Lee, 17, economics major - the University's youngest graduating senior; Robert Martin, 18, French major, geography minor; Erik Mendoza, 18, physics major; Aditi Mhaskar, 19, biochemistry major; mathematics, philosophy minor - All-American Scholar; Ani Muradyan, 17, history major; Jeshanah Naranjo, 20, theatre arts and dance major; Timothy Ng, 21, biology major; Helen Nieman, 19, political science (pre-law) major; Myle Ott, 17, computer science major; Justin Padilla, 18, Computer Science major; Suvag Kumar Patnaik, 19, biology major; Andre Petrikovets, 19, biology major - Cal State L.A.'s 2005 Outstanding Senior Award; Neshan Weiss Sarkisian, 19, biology major; Gabe Sharaf, 19, electrical engineering major; Winny Shen, 18, psychology major; Charissa Silva, 18, psychology major; Ronald Tan, 20, biochemistry major; Jeffrey Walsh, 20, mathematics major; Lei Zhao, 18, electrical engineering major, communications minor - was a Collegiate All American, and was selected as EEP Freshman of the Year in 2001! See the CSULA press release at http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/newsrel/eepgrads06.html, to read all about the awards, graduate schools, fellowships, and more for each of these absolutely amazing young teens! What an impressive group!

Provies at the first Friday orientation

Welcome Provies! We have 85 scholars trying out this summer for 30 spots. A warm welcome to all the provisional students, including ones from Florida, Nevada, New York, and Texas! And a big thank you to our 38 mentors who are providing the guidance and evaluation necessary to ensure another stupendous freshman class!

EEPsters in the News. Congratulations to all the EEPsters in the news!

• Rex C was selected for the nationally prominent Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Award. This award carries a stipend exceeding 5,000 and is awarded to only a small number of undergraduates who have displayed exemplary academic strength, promise and initiative. In the last eight years EEPsters have won this national award five times so Rex joins excellent company including Dr. Leana Wen (01), Tina Nguyen (02), Michael Tan (03) and David Nguyen (05). Congratulations!
• Edwin P was named to the Dean’s List, was inducted to the Golden Key National Honor Society and was elected Rep-at- Large for CSLA’s Associated Students Incorporated (ASI).
• Stephanie S was awarded the President Nee Chou Scholarship from the Chen Kung National University, Taiwan, in the amount of $1,000.
• Chris H was named to the Dean’s List and inducted to the Golden Key National Honors Society.
• Leslie C and Johanna G both won the prestigious Philosophy Department Scholarship Award.
• Chris L was the Undergraduate Student of the Month highlighted in SEM-Ed News - May 2006 edition.
• Lei Z was the Winner of California State University (CSU) Statewide Student Research Competition in May and was featured in the SEM Newsletter, June 2006
• Theresa C and Lubabah B were selected as research assistants in Dr. Russo’s (Biology) Lab; Kimberly C and Stephanie S were both selected as research assistants in Dr. Garcia’s (Biochemistry) Lab
• Jennifer C and Samantha H were both selected for the Judicial Internship Program through the Undergraduate Studies Office and will work for the District Attorney’s Office
• New EEP officers for next year:EEP Club officers were elected: EEPC President Pamela L, Vice President Natasha S, Treasurer Swapneel P, Secretary Elizabeth C, Social Chair Laura P, Public Relations Chair Cory O, Academic Chair Samantha H, Yearbook Editor Margaret L, Student Life Assistant Nika N. Sophomore Class president Anita D and Junior Class President Stephanie S. Congratulations all! Need to contact EEP? Email President Pam or visit the EEP website.
• The EEPC was named the Student Organization of the Year and Laura P was named the Student Organization Officer of the Year by the CSULA.

Ho-hum - honors again for Rich! Richard S. Maddox was nominated for the second consecutive year as the CSLA Staff Member of the Year! Rich also was highlighted with an article in the CSULA SEM June magazine. As usual, impressive accolades for our favorite director!

EEPC awards 2006. The EEPC and EEP awards were presented to: Student of the Year, Winny Shen (Elder/Grad) heading off to the nation’s number one psychology doctoral program and the Joyce Bourke EEP Graduate of the Year Scholarship winner is Rex Cheng (Elder/ Grad) who is heading off to one of the nation’s top 10 medical schools. The Freshman of the Year was named as Matthew G. and the Most Likely To Succeed Award again went to the entire EEP population! Also honored were the F.O.E (Friend of EEP) of the Year, Dr. Gerry Beer (Mathematics) and the Parent of the Year Mrs. Donna Nagy-Hay (David N.) each was selected for their love and support of the EEP and the students they help every day, every quarter!

Mock Trial Club. Mock Trial is a great way for your EEPster (especially pre-law majors!) to get involved and get real-world experience in law and courtroom life. Advised by an EEP alum and Philosophy/Political Science faculty, EEPster David N may be reached by email for more information

Pied Piper mentors leading Provies to Orientation Meeting in Physical Sciences Building

Is your daughter interested in LEEP? Ladies of EEP, a female support, conversation and reading group, has started up again. For more information email EEP Elder Natasha S. Meetings are on a weekly basis in the EEP Lounge, with plans for exciting activities and fundraisers; your EEP daughter will enjoy joining this group of motivated, energetic and involved EEP ladies, having fun while supporting EEP!

Volunteer Opportunities. PEEP volunteers are needed for computer work (at home), office help (on campus), chaperoning and carpooling duty for EEPC events/activities and, as always, help for the biannual WPCT exams and PEEP general meetings. Please let EEP know if YOU can volunteer by calling 323/343-2287 or sending a note to Rich or EEP.

Emergency Preparedness. Don't forget to fill in and return the Emergency Contact form if you have not already done so. And we are still trying to build an emergency phone tree -- email PEEP Donna Hay to volunteer.

PEEP Website and Yahoo Group. The PEEP website is continuously updated with tons of useful links and information, including our private Yahoo PEEP group which contains a private PEEP roster. This roster will be updated in August to add in our new freshman class, and designate alumni -- and it has city and emails so PEEPs can set up carpools, etc.

EEF Financial News

aren't the new gray lockers nice?

the new EEP sofa is good for sitting and lounging!

Last Call for 2005-2006 donations! We are at 60% of our annual goal, and a hearty thank you to all the parents who have sent in donations. So if you have been thinking about it, but just never found the time -- this is it! Rich's major new purchases are a new sofa, shelving, and some lockers -- but besides furnishings for the lounge, he uses the money for computer lab upgrades and professional technical support, new computer equipment, EEPC supplies and trip assistance, scholarship support, graduation class expenses, the quarterly lounge cleaning service and much, much more! He thanks all the parents from the bottom of his heart for all the generous support. With questions, email PEEP Donna Hay. It's all for your children, and it's all tax-deductible, of course! (Mail to: Early Entrance Foundation, 16311 Ventura Blvd #1298, Encino, CA 91436).

Electronic Scrip Sign-Up. EEP is always looking for a few more families to sign up for escrip. It's simple, it's effective, it's free and it needs you! Just sign up your grocery cards (not charge cards, just grocery club cards), for your family or even your friends and relatives too -- EEP gets a percentage back on all the grocery purchases. If you have no charitable organization specified on your cards, the stores just keep all the money. You can sign yourself up online (click here) or call PEEP Donna Hay at 818/905-6249 or PEEP Shelley Kadison at 310/246-9060 for more information.

ebay Donations. Don't discard, Donate! PEEP Helene Chemel will convert your unwanted collectibles into cash for EEP on ebay through her i-soldit store in Chatsworth. Drop your items off anytime at her store, and visit the I-SoldIt website for more information.

Upcoming Events for EEP Families

Summer Quarter Important Dates. Dates of interest for this quarter are:

Catalina Island Trip Approaching. Yes, summer has just started, but Labor Day will be around the corner, and it's never too early to plan for that memorable Catalina Island trip - coming up Sep 7-10th. In case you've forgotten, details are available online here, and watch out for the sign-up form coming home next month! Forms due July 31st!

WPCT dates. Put it on your calendar! The WPCT and PEEP meeting will be Sunday, Dec 3rd. Did you miss the last PEEP meeting on April 23rd? Highlights of the meeting are available!

EEΠX Store

Hmmm - like the new Rich?

Yearbooks, Sweatshirts, T-shirts and More! We have it all! And we have a new system in place for orders. Just have your EEPster order one, and Rich will send home the item and a bill! With questions, email the EEP Club or call 323/343-5488 and leave a message for April E. (yearbook) or Josh C. (treasurer):

• Yearbooks - Don't miss out on this year's hardcopy plus dvd 2005-2006 yearbook, better-than-ever -- have your EEPster ask in the office to see if copies are still available.
  
• T-shirts and Sweatshirts Your EEpster has a choice now of two t-shirts, and two sweatshirts, and don't forget that bodaciously amusing license plate frame (makes a cute picture frame too!)
  • Lemonhead Sweatshirt - did you love the Lemonhead t-shirt? Well, now it's time to add the latest to your EEP wardrobe -- a complementary sweatshirt. $25 for this one-of-a-kind distinctive outerwear!
  • EEΠX Sweatshirts - for $20 for this black-that-goes-with-everything sweatshirt with the oh-so-cool-EEΠX-logo!
  • EEPC t-shirt - guaranteed as unique, this t-shirt features the likeness of EEPster 2006 graduate Neshan! $10 for this limited edition t-shirt! EEPsters enhanced Rich's picture on the model on the EEP wall (see photo)!
  • Lemonhead T-shirts - for $10 cash or check for this one-of-a-kind t-shirt.
  • License Plate Frames - for $5 to display your EEP pride on your car or wall!
• Rings - EEP class rings, available for 4th year students and graduates, have an EEP logo (pdf drawing) designed by April E. and the insignia of the student's major and year of CSULA graduation. You can get an idea of what the rings will look like at the Jostens website. The rings cost $398 for the women's and $451 for the men's (10K white or yellow gold).

Upcoming CSULA Events of Interest for EEP Families

David Reed - "Leave Yourself Behind"

David Reed: Leave Yourself Behind, From his earliest desert landscape paintings of the Southwest from the 1960s; to the door, brushstroke, and multi-panel paintings of the 1970s; to the highly fluid and luminous abstractions of his recent years, this nationally traveling exhibition traces the arc of one of the most exceptional abstract painters of our generation. On campus at the Luckman Gallery - Mon.-Thu. & Sat., 12 noon-5 p.m. Sat, May 20th through Sat, July 15th. Call the Luckman Gallery at 323/343-6604 for more information.

7 Momentos de Vida

7 Momentos de Vida. Featuring Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company. Ticket price: Saturday: $35, $30, $25 and Sunday: $30, $25, $20. On campus at the Luckman Theatre. Call the Luckman Box Office at 323/343-6600 for more information. Sat, July 8th at 8 pm or Sun, July 9th at 3 pm

Popsicle Day. I Scream, U Scream, We All Scream for -- POPSICLES! CSULA is celebrating the warm weather by handing out FREE popsicles to everyone stopping by. They want your EEPster to pick up information on summer events and campus involvement opportunities to peruse while enjoying the cold treat. Main Walkway on Wed, July 19 at noon!

For information on all events, visit the CSULA online calendar to see all offerings on campus. The summer schedule is always light, but many new events are planned for the fall!

LACHSA too. EEPsters and their families might also be interested in LACHSA events. Visit their website for their schedule, with details on their many concerts throughout the LA area, as well as their events at CSULA's Luckman Theatre. LACHSA is dark for the summer, but they too are planning some stunning events for the fall, like Candide in November!

Articles of Interest

If This Were a Term Paper, You Might Have Seen It on the Web - LA Times, June 17, 2006. "School term papers may be going the way of the typewriters once used to write them. 'It's so easy to cheat and steal from the Internet that I don't even assign papers anymore,' said Bobbie Eisenstock, an assistant professor of journalism at Cal State Northridge." Click here for complete article.

Dropout Nation - TIME Magazine, April 17, 2006. "The number of high school students who leave before graduating is higher--much higher--than you think. Inside one town's struggle to reverse the tide." Click here for complete article.

The Multitasking Generation - TIME Magazine, March 27, 2006. "Are kids too plugged in? They're e-mailing, IMing and downloading while writing the history essay. What is all that digital juggling doing to kids' brains and their family life?" Click here for complete article.

For a link to the index of dozens of articles Rich has clipped -- to learn about "crispies'", "twixters", what makes teens tick, the meaning of life, pre-teen tech consultant, identity theft, pension security and much more -- click here!

Old Favorites! A Nation Deceived - a study summarizing 50 years of research on acceleration and its effectiveness - at this website http://nationdeceived.org/download.html and TIME's "Saving The Smart Kids" - a 2001 study found that 70% of kids who skipped ahead had no regrets.

Links of Interest, Past Issues, Contact Information