Summer Courses Prepare Local Students for College

Story by Theresa Akersten

Rolling out of bed early to take a voluntary class in July is not your average student’s plan for summer vacation.

But students from Verona and Nutley could be rewarded with college credits for doing just that.

Students enrolled in Verona Summer Enrichment Academy’s general psychology and Vietnam War classes have the opportunity to earn credit through a partnership with Caldwell College. 

Teacher Kimberly Ferlauto, Director of School Counseling for Verona Public Schools, was wrapping up the psychology course this week at Verona High School.

Ferlauto said a general psychology class is heavy on information, but she tries to keep it interesting for the teenagers.

On Tuesday, she showed a video about celebrities afflicted with psychological disorders. They learned how Leonardo DiCaprio, for example, suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, as did Howard Hughes, the tycoon he portrayed in a recent movie.

Soufieh Hakimzadeh, 17, an incoming senior at Verona High School, said she enjoyed the three-week course although it was more challenging than she expected.

“It’s a lot tougher than I thought it would be. The tests are really hard,” she said. “I love learning. I thought it would be fun so I decided, hey, let’s learn about something I don’t know.”

In addition to tests and homework, students are required to make a presentation on a psychological disorder or a set of disorders. The goal is to engage the students by having them present some of the material to their peers. 

Madison Geragehty, 17, is one of three students enrolled in the psych course from Nutley High School.

Geragehty said she would definitely recommend the experience — although she did not realize when she enrolled there would be assignments.

“It does get me ready for college,” she said. “It does push me.”

Students had Wednesday off to study for Thursday’s final. A written project in which they are required to discuss psychological themes from a book or movie of their choice is due at the end of the month.