Several members of the Lancaster High School Academy of Finance recently attend the National Academy Foundation Summer Institute in Philadelphia. Pictured front row from left are Derek Chojnacki, National Academy Foundation President JD Hoye and Cody Lezynski; and back row from left, Erica Hartmann, Lauren Hartmann, keynote speaker and education reformer Sir Kenneth Robinson, Alyssa Jerge and Christie Grupka. The Lancaster High School Academy of Finance is being recognized nationally for providing a richer experience to students.

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The program and its director recently were honored with awards during the National Academy Foundation Summer Institute in Philadelphia. The academy earned the Aldo Papone Award for Leadership in Academy Performance, while director and business teacher Scott Dixon received the Janet Linton National Academy Leadership Award.

Papone is the retired chairman and CEO of the American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc., and the award in his name was accompanied by $5,000 for the academy. The honor bestowed upon Dixon is in memory of the late San Diego Academy director, Linton, and recognizes leadership within the National Academy Foundation, with which Lancaster High School’s academy is affiliated.

The Academy of Finance opened in 2005 and includes a three-year curriculum that focuses on money issues and businesses skills. Students begin the courses in their sophomore year and are required to complete two internships, at least one paid, during their studies.

The program enrolls between 120 and 160 students each year, and the school has an articulation agreement with Erie Community College, meaning that academy courses could translate to college credits. Each student is also required to take at least one class at a college while still in high school.

“When they graduate, each student has at least three college credits,” Dixon said.

The internship program helped the academy to secure the national award, and Dixon credited the academy’s Parent Board for its leadership in working with area companies and business groups to offer a range of opportunities.

Heather Hartmann, a member of the Parent Board, said that it is important for the academy to work hand-in-hand with the business community to give students real-world experience.

“That’s truly what this academy is all about,” she said.

Hartmann’s daughter, Erica, who will serve as the academy’s junior class representative in September, hopes to own her own pediatric dentistry business in the future, and the academy is allowing her to intern in her chosen field while also learning the financial side of the industry.

“That’s the beauty of finance — it’s applicable everywhere,” Dixon said.

Erica attended the conference during the summer in Philadelphia and learned new ideas from other schools that Lancaster will try to incorporate into its program.

“It was just very eye-opening,” she said.

The program offers an advantage to businesses looking for additional help as well. Megan Burns-Moran, executive director of the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce, worked with academy student Cathy Kloc, who interned during the summer. While Kloc gained hands-on experience, the Chamber was able to have Kloc oversee a project from start to finish.

Burns-Moran added that the academy builds a bridge between the school and business communities.

“I think it opens a lot of kids up to other opportunities,” she said.

The academy hopes to increase membership on its advisory board and is looking for business leaders, parents, retirees and others interested in working to bring more internship opportunities to the program. Those interested in joining may call Dixon at 686-3351.

e-mail: LJohnson@beenews.com