The Patrick Straut Foundation Board met on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 to plan for the spring 2021 scholarship season and fundraising events in support of the scholarships. All Board members were present and Lisa Lee, WRHS GT Center teacher joined for a portion of the discussion.

Discussion Topics included:

1. Checking in—it has been a crazy year for us all.

2. Current balance in scholarship fund.

3. Tentative Dates for 2021 Scholarship: May 1, 2021 GT Night, Application Deadline April 10, 2021.

4. Fund Raising Ideas: FB Fundraiser starts 3/16/2021, Raffle signed Patriot’s jersey or football by Dalton Keene, Chatfield alum., Email campaign to previous donors, WRHS GT teachers to email current Center school parents, and explore fundraisers at local restaurants (try to find an option that would be county wide (Jeffco). All recognize the concerns related to COVID-19 and that they will not subside before fundraising window again this year.

5. Carrying the work of the William and Mary PA forward. Terri applied to present at NAGC in Aurora this fall. Discussed the spiral model. Ideation patterns of gifted adolescents differ from neuro-typical peers.

On October 23, 2020 Terri shared Patrick’s story in the context of the Psychological Autopsy (PA) conducted by the William and Mary team. The presentation was given at the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT). Using the PA published by Dr. Tracy Cross et al., the life and death of Patrick (an 18 year-old student) is examined. New models to predict suicidal ideation are presented. Illuminating how the intensities and over-excitabilities associated with being gifted can be risk or protective factors will help participants recognize similar traits in the gifted individuals with whom they interact. This knowledge will inform participants as they guide gifted individuals across the life span. My hope—never lose another one.

Direct Link: https://www.patrickstrautfoundation.org/cagt-2020-presentation-1