"Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace." Confucios

As we head into our third year of offering the Individualized Adventure Plan (IAP), we’re proud to share that the program is more robust than ever. The IAP was built to ensure that students can pursue their passions beyond the classroom—whether that means training as a competitive athlete, traveling for extended periods, or exploring once-in-a-lifetime opportunities—without sacrificing academic growth or community connection.

What makes IAP unique at TEA:

This program is truly unlike anything offered at other schools—a customized support system designed to fit each student’s unique path. Whether your family is navigating the demands of ski season, international travel, or intensive training schedules, the IAP ensures your child receives the flexibility and academic rigor they need to thrive. We are excited to continue supporting students already in the program and have space to welcome additional families this year. If your student will be missing more than one day a week during sports commitments or has extensive travel planned, we encourage you to reach out and see how the IAP can benefit your family. You can call or email Emily Reid at ereid@tahoeexpeditionacademy.org or call (530) 412-2197.

Miles That Matter is a 5K Run/Walk and community festival organized by Hattie Kaplan, a senior at Truckee High School, on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Truckee River Regional Park. Hattie is a lifetime Hawk, who attended TEA from preK-8th grade, and Tahoe Expedition Academy is excited to partner with her for this event! TEA will have a booth at the community festival so be sure to come by and say HI to Kristen Giordano and Hayden Scherer (current 12th grader)!!!

The event brings together fitness, live music, food, a raffle, and local vendors for a global cause. Festival entry is free, while the run/walk is $40 for adults and $20 for students/youth. Proceeds will support girls in Moshi, Tanzania by providing reusable menstrual cups through our partner CouldYou? Cup — working to end period poverty by 2040 — along with the creation of the EmpowerHER Workbook, a resource that teaches girls about the menstrual cycle, reproductive health, financial literacy, leadership, and confidence.

Two years ago, while in Tanzania, I unexpectedly got my period and went to the store for supplies. The only option available was a foot-long, 3-inch-thick, mint-scented pad. When I told my local mentor I couldn’t believe that was all they had, she gently corrected me: “We don’t have to deal with that—we get to, if we’re lucky.” That moment opened my eyes to period poverty. Many girls are left tied up with rags, stuck in bed, and unaware of what’s happening to their bodies because of stigma. As I researched, I learned that lack of education leads to bigger issues—25% of girls ages 14–19 in Tanzania are already pregnant or mothers. Many are forced to rely on much older men for survival, creating cycles of dependence. Through Miles That Matter and the EmpowerHER Workbook, I aim to give girls not only access to safe period care, but also the tools to understand their health, manage their own money, and recognize their self-worth. This work is about more than periods—it’s about dignity, empowerment, and creating a future of choice.

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