High School Doesn't Have to Happen to You: An Evening About Intentionality, Agency, and Supporting Your Teen with Dot Kowal
High School Doesn't Have to Happen to You: An Evening About Intentionality, Agency, and Supporting Your Teen
High school is a critical developmental period - too important to leave up to chance. Yet for many families, it can feel like something that's happening to their teen rather than a journey they're intentionally shaping together.
Join Audrey Wisch (CEO & Co-Founder of Curious Cardinals) and Dot Kowal (Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist & College Counselor) for an intimate conversation about how to help your teen navigate high school with both authenticity and intentionality - without losing sight of what truly matters.
What We'll Discuss:
The High School "Pie": Understanding the key focus areas (academics, mental health, extracurriculars, engagement) and how to approach them with intention rather than overwhelm
Starting Early Matters: Why building agency and self-awareness in 9th-10th grade makes all the difference before the college process adds pressure
Beyond Gaming the System: What it really means to stand out - and why authenticity, not résumé-building, leads to meaningful outcomes
Student Perspectives: Hear from mentors who recently walked this path and can share what actually mattered in their journey
Why This Matters:
This isn't about adding more to your teen's plate. It's about helping them approach high school as a rite of passage - a time to discover who they are, what they care about, and how they want to show up in the world. Because when teens have clarity and agency over their own path, the college process becomes a natural culmination rather than a source of anxiety.
About Audrey Wisch
Audrey Wisch paused her studies at Stanford University to launch Curious Cardinals during the pandemic and has since led it into a national movement empowering students to discover their purpose and unlock their potential. Over the past two years, Audrey has led more than 150 workshops on AI and education, spoken at Diane von Furstenberg’s International Women’s Day Conference, and appeared on CNBC with Andrew Ross Sorkin. Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 education leader, Audrey is passionate about helping families navigate the digital age with confidence.
About Dot Kowal
Dot Kowal is a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and Holistic College Counselor with more than 15 years of experience supporting adolescents and families through the emotional, academic, and identity-building journey of high school. She has served as Director of College Counseling at Woodside Priory School and Sonoma Academy, as well as Head of Upper School at Crystal Springs Uplands School, giving her a deep understanding of both how schools work and how teens experience them. Dot’s approach centers on helping students build self-awareness, agency, and a strong internal compass—so high school becomes a time of intentional growth rather than pressure or performance. She is passionate about guiding families to navigate this pivotal chapter with clarity, authenticity, and perspective.
About Curious Cardinals
At Curious Cardinals, we believe education should prepare kids not just for the next test, but for the next chapter of life. Through near-peer mentorship with inspiring mentors from top universities, we've empowered more than 10,000 K-12 students to explore passions, build projects, and develop the independence and curiosity that set them apart in school, college, and beyond.