IN Fox Chapel Area Spring 2018 | Page 21

critical for future success. The comprehensive Empower2018 program will earn students two college credits. A nine-day emerging leadership program is also available for 10 th , 11 th , and 12 th graders that includes four modified Dale Carnegie Training sessions. In addition to the Dale Carnegie classes, Empower will include a blend of workshops that focus on mindfulness, leadership, executive functioning skills, building a positive digital footprint, professional networking, and more. There will be keynote speakers, active sessions, and networ king breakfasts in which the students will interact with professionals from a multitude of career paths in order to practice their new-found networking skills. Fox Chapel Area High School junior Tori Crittendon, who has already signed up for the summer program, anticipates that it will help her be able to communicate better in a work environment and also help her feel more confident when interviewing and speaking with adults. “I think it’s a good résumé builder and it will help me become a better leader. I will be learning things people don’t learn until they’re actually in a work environment,” she said. Freshman Xavier Perry agreed saying that he anticipates the program will help him learn leadership skills that will enable him to be the best that he can be, while still helping others realize their potential for success. Need-based financial aid is available for the Empower2018 program and there are discounts for families enrolling more than one child. Enrollees also receive a 50 percent discount on the career-related summer Fox Chapel Area Online (FCAO) courses, College and Career Essentials and SAT Prep. The Empower program was developed by Mrs. Gibson; Fox Chapel Area High School Lead Principal Michael Hower; Fox Chapel Area High School social studies teacher Lesley Cowles, Ed.D.; and Fox Chapel Area School District’s Online Learning Coordinator Randi Leonard. Emerging Leadership Program June 18-22 & 25-28 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m. For incoming 10 th -12 th graders Price: $400 • Four modified Dale Carnegie Training sessions • Interactions with motivational speakers and business professionals FIRST STEP for Incoming Freshmen Also associated with Empower2018 is FIRST STEP, a five-day preparatory program specifically designed for incoming Fox Chapel Area High School freshmen. Students will practice academic strategies for success including understanding the importance of their cyber profile, discovering their leadership potential, experiencing the value of teamwork, and identifying and utilizing quality resources. Additionally, students will acquire personal, interpersonal, organizational, and learning skills and strategies enabling success in high school and beyond. “FIRST STEP Empower2018 will focus on the necessities of high school transition, learning skill-sets, thinking strategies and executive functioning skills, and intrapersonal & interpersonal leadership skills,” according to high school social studies teacher Lesley Cowles, Ed.D., who is the program’s coordinator. The FIRST STEP program will be held June 18- 22. Tuition is $50 and students will take part in Empower2018 motivational and keynote speaker events. District transportation and financial aid are available for FIRST STEP. For more information, visit wpalearning.fcasd.edu, contact Lisa Gibson at 412/967-2479, or email [email protected]. FOX CHAPEL AREA ❘ SPRING 2018 19