Young Scholars Institute takes look back at its past
This summer marks the 20th year of Young Scholars Institute, a two-week long summer program whose goal is to offer gifted students in-depth enrichment activities that often cannot be taught during the school year.
Young Scholars Institute, or YSI as it is better known, was first held during the summer of 1984 at the now defunct William Biles Elementary School and was led by director Donna Trevathan. Then, as now, the program catered to academically advanced students who were chosen to participate by teacher invitation.
Over the years YSI has offered participants a number of academic and artistic enrichment experiences taught by a faculty made up of county educators and community leaders.
Though the program’s faculty often changes from year to year, depending on which activities are offered, some have been present from the 1984 beginning, including current director Linda Dunlap and instructor Jimmy Haley.
Other long time faculty members include Carolyn Wilson, Ann Hutchings, Joyce Smith, Carol Neal, Shirley Luna, David Dunlap and Lynn Bradshaw.
As this year marks YSI’s 20th year, organizers have decided its theme will be “Best of the Best,” and will feature highlights offered over the past 20 summers.
YSI’s first week, to be held June 9-13, includes Warren County history and graveyards, Pioneer Village, the Olympics, the 60s and a field trip to the Sportsplex in Nashville to ice skate.
Week two, June 16-20, will feature Be A Star, Survivor, Red, White and Blue, Renaissance Festival and field trips to the IMAX Theater and Ruby Falls in Chattanooga and to a play at the Nashville Library.
Registration for both weeks of this year’s YSI will be held from 8 a.m. to noon May 10 at the Warren County Middle School cafeteria.