Class of 2014 – Clairbourn School News

December 1, 2020December 16, 2020

Your Student Can Do Great Things: Public Speaking Matters

Part five of this six-part series offers insights into Clairbourn’s educational philosophy and the foundational elements of the program which have led to noteworthy accomplishments by its alums.

As many people soon find out, having a great point of view, idea, or service is only as good as one’s ability to effectively get the word out. There has to be consideration for compelling messaging combined with finding one’s audience and engaging them to respond with their time, attention, and money.

Kimberly Chang, Christie Huang, Tiffany Chang, and Kathryn Huang – Clairbourn alumae & founders of Madhatter Knits.

Those abilities are in evidence among the Clairbourn alumnae who started the Madhatter Knits foundation in 2014 when a fourth grade knitting lesson led them to create a nonprofit for making premature baby hats to donate to hospitals.

Except for Tiffany Chang and Sara Lowin who were in the same grade together, the other executive directors of the foundation, including Kimberly Chang and Christie & Kathryn Huang, were in different grades ranging from first up to high school freshman. But all of them had early exposure in finding their voice as a result of Clairbourn’s public speaking program.

December 1, 2020December 16, 2020

Your Student Can Do Great Things: Leadership Opportunities Matter

Part four of this six-part series offer insights into Clairbourn’s educational philosophy and the elements of the program which have led to noteworthy accomplishments by its alums.

Clairbourn alumnae Kimberly Chang, Christie Huang, Tiffany Chang, and Kathryn Huang are the founders of Madhatter Knits which makes and donates preemie hats to the NICU departments of hospitals both locally and across the world.

Leadership opportunities need not wait for high school or college-level programs. Leadership lessons, such as the ones taught at Clairbourn, begin as early as preschool and extend through Grade 8—and exciting things can happen when children learn to lead at a young age. Take for example Madhatter Knits, an organization which makes and donates hats for premature babies in the NICU and also works to protect expectant mothers and infants from COVID-19.

This nonprofit was founded by Tiffany Chang in 2014 while still a student in the fourth grade at Clairbourn School. The organization is run by a large executive team which includes Clairbourn alumnae Kimberly Chang, Christie Huang, Kathryn Huang, and Sara Lowin. After only six years, they have expanded across the U.S. and have chapters in Germany, Italy, England, Uganda, Costa Rica, South Africa, Ireland, Canada, India, and Ecuador .

Sara Lowin, Kimberly Chang, and Tiffany Chang (shown above) all started at Clairbourn in preschool.

Madhatter Knits executive directors Tiffany, Christie, Kimberly, and Sara all started in Clairbourn’s preschool, with Kathryn starting in Kindergarten. And while there, they experienced age-appropriate exposure to leadership opportunities. They were taught ethical concepts combined with opportunities for social and emotional development, growth-mindset acquisition, and problem-solving skills.

December 1, 2020December 16, 2020

Your Student Can Do Great Things: Heart and Service Matter

Part three of this six-part series offers insights into Clairbourn’s educational philosophy and the elements of the program which have led to noteworthy accomplishments by its alums.

Confidence in one’s ability to make a difference in the world can be challenging for adults, let alone young people. But that confidence was naturally acquired in grade school at Clairbourn as explained by Madhatter Knits founder Tiffany Chang along with fellow alumna and executive director Christie Huang. When asked the question during a recent radio interview, “What was your first impression of philanthropy and how did it start?,” these young women were ready with compelling answers.

*Clairbourn alumnae Christie Huang and Tiffany Chang were interviewed on KAZN Radio about philanthropy.*

They both recounted an impactful experience they shared in second grade at Clairbourn School where the whole class held a Pocket Change Drive to benefit the Door of Hope homeless shelter serving families in Pasadena, California. Tiffany remembers their first collection seemed pretty insignificant, but after adding up the donations from several consecutive days, she realized their small efforts had the potential to make a real impact in the lives of others—especially children living at the shelter. Christie also recalled how nervous she was to ask grown-ups on campus to donate to their cause. But, she quickly realized that fear shouldn’t hold you back from approaching potential donors, because when people see you doing something positive they are often happy to listen and contribute.

December 1, 2020December 16, 2020

Your Student Can Do Great Things: Teaching Approach Matters

Part two of this six-part series offers insights into Clairbourn’s educational philosophy and the elements of the program which have led to noteworthy accomplishments by its alums.

Clairbourn alumnae *Christie Huang and Tiffany Chang as interview guests at KAZN* 1300 AM radio.

On a warm fall day at the KAZN AM 1300 broadcasting studios in Pasadena, California, Clairbourn alums, Tiffany Chang and her cousin Christie Huang, were the special guests of a radio program called, “Heart visitors: The Transmission of Love.” They were invited to talk about their philanthropic foundation Madhatter Knits. When asked how it all started, Tiffany explained that, in 2014 her Clairbourn School fourth grade teacher Mary-Kaye Halferty spent her break time meeting with Tiffany at recess to teach her how to knit. After gaining some of the skills involved, Tiffany produced a small little hat and excitedly demonstrated the process to her sister and two cousins the next day.

Noticing the size, warmth, and softness of the hat, her cousin Christie, from Clairbourn’s class of 2013, immediately connected it with being useful to the preemie babies she saw in the NICU at the San Gabriel Medical Center where she served as a volunteer.

Clairbourn teacher Mary-Kaye Halferty taught Tiffany Chang and her fourth grade classmates how to knit during recess. When Tiffany founded Madhatter Knits later that year, many of her classmates joined as volunteers.

August 12, 2020August 12, 2020

An Important Message of Pandemic Hope from Clairbourn Alumna Tiffany Chang

Tiffany Chang, from Clairbourn’s Class of 2018, sees the opportunities embedded in every crisis. She credits her elementary school, Clairbourn, for the optimistic thoughts that inspired an award-winning video she made for the Center for Future Global Leaders (CFGL) Young Artist Competition. She says, “I will always be grateful to Clairbourn as the school has always taught me to look at the positive side of every situation and to stay optimistic even during the most difficult times. I will never forget the important life lessons Clairbourn instilled in me.”

Over a period of about 2 weeks, fueled by her positive-outlook habits and motivated by her own optimistic actions while staying at home, she scripted, animated, and recorded an artistic video on the topic of “Hope” for the CFGL competition. Her “Leaders of Tomorrow Video During the Pandemic” project was designed for parents and students, and reveals a path out of hopelessness by making a point of looking at the brighter side of the stay-at-home-order and disruptions to normal routines.

After addressing the world-wide toll on health and the derailment of education in the era of COVID-19, she uses the powerful and repeated reframing question, “What if?” “What if this generation is advanced because of this pandemic?” Tiffany’s project presents 18 reframing questions in total that provide ample reasons for optimism in the face of great hardship. As a result, her project not only delivered on the intended inspiration, but it also won her a $300 prize and a top spot as a national finalist in the CFGL competition.

We invite you to watch her video below, read the transcript that follows, and then learn more about Tiffany’s impressive record of philanthropy and community service:

November 8, 2018November 30, 2018

Clairbourn Alums Richard and Eric Dong Honored with Young Philanthropist Award

Richard and Eric Dong with Dana Bean, the Communications Director at Union Station Homeless Services[/caption]Richard (Class of 2014) and Eric Dong (Class of 2016) were presented a prestigious Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award on November 7, 2018 for their contributions to the Union Station Homeless Services. The event took place at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Los Angeles Chapter.
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June 20, 2018November 30, 2018

Alumni Richard and Eric Dong Perform and Present Award to Dr. Nafie in Honor of his Retirement

Brothers Richard and Eric Dong Honor Dr. Nafie with Performance and Award at his Retirement Party

At the on-campus event honoring Dr. Nafie for his 39 years of service to Clairbourn School, alumni Richard and Eric Dong gave a moving piano performance and speech. They performed the Hungarian Dance by Brahms, Rondo Alla Turca by Mozart and Marche Militaires by Schubert. They expressed their deep gratitude for Dr. Nafie’s tenure as Headmaster of Clairbourn and presented him with a congressional recognition award from Congresswoman Judy Chu. You can watch the full video here:
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May 9, 2018November 30, 2018

Clairbourn Alumnus Richard Dong Presented with Highest Congressional Award

Young Clairbourn Alums Inspire Young People with their Service to the Community
Alumnus Richard Dong continues to accomplish so much at such a young age. He was recently awarded the prestigious Congressional Medal for the third time. There were only a total of four recipients to receive the award from Arcadia, Alhambra, Claremont and San Marino High Schools. Congresswoman Chu called it the “highest award for youth in our nation.” To receive the award, one must excel these four areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration/expedition.
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February 21, 2018November 30, 2018

Alumni Richard and Eric Dong are Notable Philanthropists and Accomplished Musicians

Young Clairbourn Alums Inspire Young People with their Leadership and Talent

Read more about Clairbourn alumni Richard and Eric Dong.
At such a young age, Clairbourn alumnus Richard Dong has accomplished so much. He performed piano at a world-renowned talent show, attended a symposium at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and regularly performs piano at Clairbourn School. View him performing at the Clairbourn 2014 Graduation Ceremony below.
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November 26, 2017November 30, 2018

Richard and Eric Dong, Youngest Members of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Leadership Council

Young Alumni on the Leadership Council
Alums Richard and Eric Dong have just become the youngest members of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Leadership Council.

As excellent swimmers, debaters and pianists, both brothers began venturing into financial investments in 2010 and have since, not only endowed their middle and high school with philanthropic gifts, but also created an endowment for the International Leadership Foundation (IFL), which supports leadership training, global democracy and governance initiatives with an emphasis on Asian countries. They presented the Richard and Eric Dong Endowment Fund to 500 distinguished guests, including Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao and her father, Secretary Norman Minetta, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Ted Liu, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and State Senator Hwang. They are paving the way in helping address some of the world’s most pressing human rights issues.
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