SL_PROFILE_La Sallw College HS_0922_Final_Layout 1 10 / 5 / 22 11 : 29 AM Page 2 off - campus internships . The process is heavy on experiential learning and giving students a chance to take an active role in their education . “ A lot of people talk about experiential learning , but not many people do it , ” says Dan Cipolla , a longtime physics teacher at La Salle and chair of the engineering arm of the Con - centrations . “ That’s the idea , to combine classroom learning with experiential learning . I think for a lot of these guys , the opportunity gets them excited about it possibly being a career for alum who spent a them and gets them number of years over - motivated to do even seasin China , India , and better . ” Japan , ” he says . “ Just Brother Tony talking to him briefly , Baginski , chair of the youget this idea of what global business con - it means to be in inter - centration , is new to nationalbusiness . It can La Salle this year after spark both interest and serving as principal questions , and the more at Central Catholic that we can get our High School in Pitts - alumni and supporters burgh . He was drawn in front of our students , to La Salle in part andthe students in front because of this groundbreaking program , of them , the more it’s going to pay off which he feels not only sparks intellectual immensely . ” curiosity but also gives students a better La Salle already has a renowned music understanding of what it will mean to major program , and that will be one of three new in these fields in college and pursue a career concentrations starting next year , along with in them . multimediacommunications and health sci - “ La Salle College High School is one of ences.Three more will be added the following the gems of our Lasallian network , which year , with nonprofit management and data includes almost 50 high schools in the United analysis and statistics under consideration . States and schools in eight countries , ” he Fyke is grateful to the school’s leadership says . “ Having a number of these concentra - team for committing to the program , allo - tions and not being exclusionary , but trying spend all that money , and then end up catingfunds , and hiring new faculty to teach to offer something that will engage and switching majors or transferring schools . ” these courses . He is also optimistic about excite almost every one of our students , is The internships , which are still being the future of the Concentrations Program the strength of this program . ” developed , will take place at various times , and the way it will impact future students . Fyke expects that students who participate butideally in the summer before the student’s “ When high school boys don’t have a in the Concentrations Program will focus senior year . goal or a plan , they’re notorious for floun - better in non - core classes such as English “ We are working with some of our dering , ” he says . “ They don’t see the point and history , while honing skills such as alumni , and we actually met with our board to some classes , and when they don’t see public speaking and writing that they will of trustees to get a sense of the skills they the point , they don’t seem to perform . I surely need later in life . Meanwhile , electives would be looking for if they were hiring hope this helps them see the point . in a chosen concentration , whether it’s kids for a two - week internship , or even a “ My focus is always on the students we advanced computer - aided design in engi - summer internship , ” Cipolla says . “ They have , the quality of their education , and neering or East Asian studies in global busi - said it was a really great concept and , if the their seriousness of purpose for it , ” he con - ness , will give them a leg up should they guys had certain skills , it would be a win - tinues . “ But there’s no doubt that this is continue on the same track in college . win situation . ” going to attract families who will recognize “ On the one hand , this will expose stu - Baginski is also counting on La Salle’s this is an amazing opportunity for their sons , dents to a certain field or career path , and vastnetwork , whether through alumni , par - and it can help with the college application ? they can pursue it in college and have a ents , or staff , to provide valuable resources process as well . ” headstart , ” Fyke says . “ But the other thing in the classroom . Having members of the that’s interesting is some students will do network speak with students about their La Salle College High School this and realize that maybe a certain field personal experiences can provide valuable ? isn’t for them and they’re not going to major context that drives home lessons learned 8605 CHeLtenHam ave . in it , which is probably just as valuable . You from a textbook . Wyndmoor , Pa 19038 don’t want to spend two years in college , “ For example , we’re having a retired ( 215 ) 233 - 2911 | LSCHS.ORG SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1 | 67