What’s Next? New Electives Expand Horizons

These unique electives will inspire creativity and broaden student skills

Next year, Paul VI will expand the number of elective offerings, including several new electives suggested and developed by faculty.

A course in THE ART OF LIVING will cover a range of basic skills in the areas of woodworking, gardening, and sewing through hands-on projects. According to Mr. Brendan Keane ’11, “William Wallace once said, ’Everybody dies, but not everybody lives.’ These practical skills are an aide to the core of the class, which focuses on deeper discussions about ̔how do we live well in today’s age?’” Keane will co-teach this course with Mrs. Kate Ojeda.

An elective in INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND BUSINESS POLICY will present a multidisciplinary view of international trade and business policy, including a study of opportunities and obstacles. The course will be taught by Mr. John Howard, a subject matter expert with many years of experience in the field.

According to Howard, “Students will learn that their current and future lives are inextricably linked to economic and trade events and conditions here and abroad. They will also learn that many of the goods and services we take for granted are produced or priced based on international factors.”

To apply their learning, each student will play the role of an international trade and business advisor to the leadership of an international corporation and use SWOT analysis to assess the potential for successful business in or with a foreign market.

Students taking THE AMERICAN DREAM ON FILM will study movies ranging from Casablanca and 1776 to Star Wars and Groundhog Day and examine various interpretations of the American Dream. “Students will become the critics, drawing upon a variety of academic disciplines including history, literature, sociology, and theology, as they analyze each film in a college-style, seminar format. Students will examine their own dreams for the future, evaluating how social and cultural trends can impact individual ambitions and expectations,” shares Mr. Peter Troy. Students will also become amateur filmmakers as they collaborate to create their own cinematic short.

Students will explore the principles, applications, and ethical considerations of ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOTS (AMRs) in a course taught by Mr. Michael Hargadon.

“Computing power and big data are driving the field of Artificial Intelligence at unprecedented speed. In this course, we will discuss the current and potential future state of the economic, cultural, and social impacts of this technology,” shares Hargadon. In the second quarter, they will focus on AMRs and explore the potential impact on industry and employment. Students will leverage their new understanding to create a robot/company/idea that solves a real world problem and provides an economic benefit.

A new elective in SPORTS MEDICINE will introduce students to the field of sports medicine and provide a foundational understanding of athletic health, injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. “This course is designed for students with a passion for sports, physical fitness, and healthcare, and will offer a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of these areas,” shares Mrs. Noelle Nicholas. Students will also learn from various hands-on learning activities, including completing injury assessment workshops and biomechanics analysis.

Mrs. Brandow’s Introduction to Marketing class visited the Panther Den school store during their unit on market research. Students learned about the importance of focus groups, provided feedback on current merchandise and the store layout, gave suggestions for future products, and brainstormed ideas for marketing the Panther Den.

“My favorite topic in Marketing was the guerilla marketing section. This marketing tactic utilizes the element of surprise and combines it with creative advertising to shock the public with publicity stunts and/or life sized replicas. I have always been interested in international advertising and this course introduced me to job opportunities in the field!”

— Emily Maguire ’25

Electives Provide Windows to Possibilities

With many so many electives to choose from in every academic department, PVI students have the world at their doorstep, with engaging and interactive classes that introduce them to new ways of thinking and problem solving, while exploring interests that can eventually blossom into college studies or career paths.

Students taking Entrepreneurship presented their business and product ideas in a simulation of Shark Tank. Greg Switaj, C12; Joseph Terpenning, Infinite Technologies Orthotics & Prosthetics; Jason Kangarloo, The Fitness Equation; Patti Duckworth Kwong ’99, EthSynPro and Larry Everett, Chick-fil-A North Point Village, served as guest “sharks.” Throughout the semester, students worked with mentors on their business plans and honed their presentation skills. PVI is grateful to all the professionals who share their time and insights with our students.

Students taking Entrepreneurship presented their business and product ideas in a simulation of Shark Tank. Greg Switaj, C12; Joseph Terpenning, Infinite Technologies Orthotics & Prosthetics; Jason Kangarloo, The Fitness Equation; Patti Duckworth Kwong ’99, EthSynPro and Larry Everett, Chick-fil-A North Point Village, served as guest “sharks.” Throughout the semester, students worked with mentors on their business plans and honed their presentation skills. PVI is grateful to all the professionals who share their time and insights with our students.

“My favorite activity in Entrepreneurship was creating my own mock business where I could see exactly what it would be like to run my own business. This course gives great hands-on experience with advice from real entrepreneurs.”

— Christian Lau ’25

Mr. Fernando Olivencia’s Introduction to Intelligence class took a field trip to the Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This social studies elective covers intelligence and national security, history of intelligence and espionage, and different types of intelligence.

“My favorite topic in Intelligence was the operational tradecraft acts that a spy conducts, including different types of surveillance, dead drops, brush passes, and the use of aliases. It is very fascinating to hear first-hand from a retired Operations Officer what being a spy entails and the importance of diligence and caution during operations. This course helped me realize the importance of the intelligence community when it comes to the safety of our country and the huge role that they have had in our history.”

— Celine Willard ’25