FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Dennis Polito
Telephone Number: 323-737-0012 x 106
Fax Number: 323-737-1749
Email Address – dpolito@bishopconatyloretto.org
Web site address: www.bishopconatyloretto.org
“I would like to share my first internship experience with other students my age. I am currently a junior attending Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School. My name is Alicia Figueroa and I believe firmly in what Julie Andrews Edwards once stated:
“Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes, you can grab it.”
In the beginning of the school year, Mr. Polito, our Director of Institutional Advancement, notified me of a program sponsored by Iridescent Learning Center, located just outside of Downtown Los Angeles. The opportunity was presented to me and I was motivated to take action. I had previously worked with Iridescent this past spring through their Technovation Challenge Program. This time, Iridescent offered upper-class students an Internship to be student leaders in their Explainers Program. This Program helps elementary and middle school students in the “Be An Inventor” after school program.
The application process was very competitive and included a personal interview. I was up to the challenge to become an Explainer and was soon scheduled for an interview with Amy Wood, the director of the Explainers Program. I applied myself and was honored to be a selected to be a part of this program. Although I had current responsibilities with clubs and sports in my school, I was able to attend the program on Fridays. The internship started in October and lasted through December. The sacrifice was worth it to be able to help the younger students develop science and engineering skills.
My younger brother even joined the after school program and became very fond of it. Throughout the program we helped students build bridges, skyscrapers, houses with cooling and heating towers attached and electrical fans for their houses. Once the middle school students left, the high school students would learn about other topics in science and engineering. There were guest speakers like Rodolfo Loera, an employee for Northrop Grumman, who taught us the importance of teamwork and critical thinking in engineering. My mentors encourage me to apply myself, focus on my studies, and look forward to college scholarship opportunities. I will never forget this wonderful experience.”
Bishop Conaty – Our Lady of Loretto High School, located in the Harvard Heights District of Los Angeles, is a comprehensive, college-preparatory, 9-12 Archdiocesan Catholic School for young women. Fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Bishop Conaty – Loretto is a Christ-centered school whose rigorous program of academics prepares its students to be eligible for admission to colleges and universities locally, nationally and globally. www.bishopconatyloretto.org