InTroVenture Week at USC Hybrid High College Prep

Students on the field of Dodger Stadium

Students tour CBRE’s spectacular DTLA office

Baking creative desserts with Amy's Sweet Delicias at Thrive Kitchen LA

Golfing hosted by SCGA Junior

Students tour EastWest Studios in Hollywood

Students in the 3D Lab at ZGF Architects

Ever since we launched our first C11 strength of character program with students at USC Hybrid High College Prep, we envisioned a week like this where professionals, who are friends of the Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation (and many who were also friends of Nick’s) could give students an immersive experience in areas they may not otherwise consider. Hybrid High does an amazing job every year with InTroVenture Week that combines introspection and adventure. While students could explore everything from candle-making, to knitting, to navigating an escape room, we were thrilled so many students signed up for the opportunities Thrive in Joy was happy to coordinate.

A huge thank you goes out Sarah Batizy, Assistant Principal of Student Life at Hybrid High, who agreed to include all these opportunities for the students and to these special people who brought them to life:

1. Matthew Walker, Global Partnerships Manager at Los Angeles Dodgers, for providing a behind-the-scenes tour of Dodger Stadium and insights into the variety of career paths the Dodgers offer.

2. Liz Atlee, CBRE Sr. VP and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Lew Horne, CBRE President Greater LA, Orange County & Inland Empire for a bird’s-eye view of the world of commercial real estate from CBRE’s spectacular offices on the 25th floor in DTLA.

3. Jay Fagnano, President of Thrive Kitchen LA, and Amy Godinez, Founder of Amy’s Sweet Delicias for the engaging class in baking creative desserts at Thrive Kitchen LA’s kitchen.

4. Kevin Gigax, Executive Director at SCGA Foundation, SCGA staff, and Kenneth M. Bien, SCGA Foundation Board Member, for providing a fantastic introduction to the game of golf along with some competitive challenges.

5. Keith Munson, Assistant Manager / Staff Engineer at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, and Diego Ferrera, Music Producer, for making it possible for students to feel what it’s like to be in the recording rooms where everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Foo Fighters have recorded their hits.

6. Marisa Keckeisen, Associate Designer at ZGF Architects, for letting students experience how 3D technology is literally shaping the future of architecture at the ZGF Architects office in DTLA.