Lehigh Valley Academy RCS

Last month, students from Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School had the opportunity to visit Moravian University as part of our Health Care Career Pathways program. This enriching experience gave students a closer look at what a future in the healthcare field could look like—and they loved every second of it.

From hands-on activities to meaningful conversations, the visit helped students connect the knowledge they’re gaining in their high school classrooms with real-world applications.

“My favorite part was how helpful everyone was to answering questions.”

“It was very hands-on at Moravian University and it was interactive.”

“I enjoyed getting to see Moravian’s campus, especially the nursing floor. I really liked seeing the simulation lab and getting to interact with the medical dummies.”

Thanks to the incredible team at Moravian—Deb Halliday, David Wilkenfeld, Louise Keegan, and Kaylee L.—our students were not only engaged but inspired. Kaylee, in particular, left a lasting impression:

“This genuinely made me confident in my choice that Moravian is the school for me. Kailee was such a resource and she is the sweetest and assured me and taught me so much. I want to go to this school so bad I can’t wait to graduate.”

Students practiced using stethoscopes on simulated patients and saw state-of-the-art medical technology in action.

“…enjoyed using the stethoscope on the simulated patients.”

And the impact was undeniable—
100% of students agreed that after this experience, they have more interest in health care careers than before.

We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and support from Moravian University. Opportunities like this one help us continue to inspire the next generation of health care professionals. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, time, and passion with our students!

Empathy, listening, comforting, answering questions, attention to detail, prioritizing critical needs, learning something new, gathering information, summarizing data, and report writing—these are just a few of the essential skills that health care professionals use every day. Last month, students from Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School (LVA) had the opportunity to explore these skills firsthand during their visit to Lehigh Valley Health Network Hecktown Oaks as part of the Health Care Career Pathways program.

This engaging experience introduced students to a wide range of health care careers, with insights from a panel of subject matter experts. Students heard from Joann Coryell (Neurodiagnostics), Kristen Focht Pichola, Psy.D. (Neuropsychology), Rhonda Thomas (Pharmacy), Ann Merkel (Physician Assistant), and Joseph Pinto (Administration & Leadership). Through these discussions, students gained valuable knowledge about various medical fields and the professionals who dedicate their lives to patient care.

One student shared, “I enjoyed the different variety of professionals we were able to speak with, especially with the panel with the physician assistant, pharmacist, neurophysiologist, and neuropsychologist.” Another reflected on the hands-on experience, saying, “I really enjoyed touring the hospital and learning about the individual details of every different role in the hospital.”

Beyond the panel discussion, students had the opportunity to tour the LVH-Hecktown Oaks campus, connecting with LVHN colleagues in PACU, Emergency Department, Imaging (Jenise T.), and Med-Evac (Bryan Evans, MBA, FP-C, CMTE). They explored medical imaging technology, surgical suites, and emergency response operations, witnessing the teamwork and expertise that keep hospitals running efficiently.

A particularly exciting part of the visit included learning about anatomy using cutting-edge computer software. One student remarked, “…looking at the liver, heart, and lungs in the computer.” Another student expressed admiration for the structured yet compassionate nature of the medical field, stating, “I enjoyed learning all the roles and information about different doctors that I didn’t even know existed, and I loved that everyone had a purpose.”

Programs like Health Care Career Pathways are instrumental in shaping the next generation of medical professionals by increasing awareness and inspiring students to consider careers in health care. Thank you to Jeanne Reilly, M.Ed., Jennifer Boyer, and Joseph Pinto for their dedication to Youth Programming and Pipeline Programming, ensuring students have opportunities to explore their futures in meaningful ways.

LVA’s visit to LVH-Hecktown Oaks was an invaluable experience, fostering curiosity and career exploration while demonstrating the real-world impact of health care professionals. We look forward to seeing how these students apply their newfound knowledge and inspiration in the future!

At Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School, we take pride in celebrating students who go above and beyond to create positive change in the world. Today, we shine the spotlight on Arin Sajwan, a driven and innovative sophomore who is making waves in the world of entrepreneurship!

Arin is a participant in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Philadelphia Class of 2025, a prestigious program that nurtures young business minds. Recently, he had the opportunity to take part in the highly anticipated “Ask the CEO” event, where he introduced his groundbreaking business idea—ScholarSwipe.

ScholarSwipe is an AI-driven scholarship search platform designed to help high school and college students find financial aid opportunities that match their needs. Understanding the financial challenges many students face, Arin’s mission is to make scholarships more accessible, especially for those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

During the event, Arin had the chance to engage with top industry leaders, including Meredith Tretiak, CEO of RYLA, discussing the barriers students encounter in accessing scholarships. His dedication to bridging this gap has been further strengthened through mentorship from Karun Appapogu and Bimal Mehta of Vanguard, who have provided valuable insights into refining his business.

Arin’s entrepreneurial journey is just beginning, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what he accomplishes next. As he prepares for the YEA! Investor Panel, where young entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses to potential investors, we are cheering him on every step of the way!

Join us in celebrating Arin’s success and his commitment to making education more accessible for students everywhere!

The journey to spelling excellence began in early February when our talented middle schoolers stepped up to the challenge in the first round of the Scripps Spelling Bee. Julia H. emerged as the 6th Grade winner, while Leah M. placed 2nd in a tough competition. However, the spotlight was on Aryash Shyam, who clinched 1st place, securing his ticket to the next round of the Scripps Spelling Bee.

Following the first victory, Aryash advanced to an online round, a crucial step toward reaching the regional competition. With his hard work and dedication, he successfully completed this round, and we eagerly awaited the results to see if he would progress further. To our delight, Aryash’s exceptional spelling skills earned him a place in the 5th Annual Diamond City Regional Spelling Bee!

On March 16, 2025, Aryash took the stage at Wilkes-Barre Area High School, competing against more than 75 top spellers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. His determination and preparation paid off as he secured an impressive 2nd place finish at the regional level!

As a recognition of his outstanding performance, Aryash has been granted access to the Beekeeper’s Vault—an exclusive honor awarded to only 36 spellers nationwide. This incredible achievement places him among the best young spellers in the country and reflects his unwavering dedication to mastering the art of spelling—for the second year in a row! Fun fact: this was Aryash’s third consecutive year participating in the Scripps Spelling Bee, showcasing his commitment and passion for spelling.

We couldn’t be prouder of Aryash for his hard work and perseverance throughout this journey. Please join us in celebrating his success and cheering him on for future competitions. Way to go, Aryash!

At LVA, our 3rd graders recently embarked on an exciting journey through the “Circle of Life” unit of inquiry. As part of their studies, they delved into the fascinating world of animal classifications and basic needs, selecting an animal to research in depth.

Each student wrote a detailed report on their chosen animal, exploring its habitat, diet, adaptations, and role in the ecosystem. But the learning didn’t stop there! To bring their research to life, students also designed and crafted a 3D habitat model, complete with a hand-made sculpture of their animal, showcasing their understanding in a creative and visual way.

The highlight of the project was a special event where parents were invited to LVA to see their child’s hard work on display. Students confidently presented their research, explaining their findings and answering questions from curious parents. This interactive experience not only reinforced their knowledge but also allowed them to practice public speaking and share their enthusiasm for wildlife and conservation.

Through this engaging project, our young learners discovered the importance of each species in the circle of life, gaining a deeper appreciation for the natural world. We are so proud of their dedication, creativity, and hard work! Again, thank you, parents, for stopping by! We appreciate your support in celebrating their hard work!

For the past seven years, Rachel has honed her skills as an archer, with the last four dedicated to competing at a high level. She currently shoots for not one but two elite clubs—JOAD Archery Addictions Team and S3DA Ontelaunee R&G Club—where she continues to push her limits and achieve incredible success.

Just last week, Rachel placed 3rd at the JOAD Nationals in Virginia and earned the #2 ranking in her division! On a national scale, she currently holds the #44 ranking in her age group across the United States—an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects her talent, discipline, and passion for the sport.

Rachel’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Muskingum University in Ohio took notice of her achievements and recruited her to join their archery team! She gratefully accepted and will head to MU in the fall, where she will continue her archery career while pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

Congratulations, Rachel! We can’t wait to see where your precision, focus, and hard work take you next! 

At Lehigh Valley Academy, we take pride in celebrating the achievements of our students, and today, we are thrilled to spotlight Chauncey Taylor, a senior who has accomplished something truly extraordinary! Chauncey has been accepted into Penn State’s highly competitive BA/MD program, securing a guaranteed spot at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University after completing just three years of undergraduate study.

A Path to Becoming a Doctor

Penn State’s BA/MD program is one of the most selective and rigorous medical pathways in the country. Students must undergo an intense application process, including multiple rounds of interviews, recommendation letters, and a demonstrated commitment to the medical field. Chauncey’s acceptance is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and passion for medicine. After completing his undergraduate studies in just three years, he will transition directly into medical school, where he will join the Class of 2032 on his journey to becoming a doctor.

Driven by Passion and Faith

For Chauncey, the decision to pursue medicine is deeply rooted in curiosity, passion, and a hunger for knowledge—qualities that his father has always encouraged in him. Reflecting on his journey, Chauncey shares:

 “It boils down to curiosity and passion and my love for the field. I had a hunger for knowledge, as my father would put it. It comes down to faith and patience—life boils down to any and every decision you make. Keep God in every circumstance and watch Him turn your faith to fruit.”

His determination and faith have guided him through this process, and his success serves as an inspiration to future LVA students who dream of pursuing careers in medicine.

Acknowledging the Support of LVA

Chauncey also credits Lehigh Valley Academy’s IB Biomedical program for playing a crucial role in shaping his journey. Through this program, he found like-minded peers, strong networking opportunities, and friendships that will last a lifetime. He is especially grateful for the passionate teachers at LVA who have nurtured his ambition and helped him prepare for this next chapter. He gives a special shout out to Ms. Johnson, whose dedication and support have made a lasting impact on his education.

Looking Ahead

Chauncey’s next steps include three years at Penn State, where he will complete his undergraduate studies before transitioning into Sidney Kimmel Medical College to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor. His journey is just beginning, and we have no doubt that he will make a profound impact in the medical field.

Congratulations, Chauncey! Your LVA family is beyond proud and excited to see all that you will accomplish. We can’t wait to cheer you on as you take this incredible next step!