'A phenomenal program': Leesburg High graduate among the first to earn AICE diploma

LEESBURG — Leesburg High School graduate John Maggio is among the first LHS students to ever graduate with an AICE diploma.

Leesburg High School offers the The Advanced International Certificate of Education, administered by the University of Cambridge in England. The program has a rigorous, advanced academic curriculum. Students who receive the diploma can enter college with up to 45 credits and qualify for Florida Academic Bright Futures Scholarship.

"It's just a phenomenal program. I really like the teachers and the fellow students in it. It's really helped me learn as much as I can," John Maggio, LHS graduate, said.

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'I highly recommend the AICE program'

Eighteen-year-old Maggio decided to join the AICE program as a freshman four years ago. He said he wanted to be involved in an international program that would challenge him, so he could prepare himself for college.

"I feel like I've gained college readiness from the AICE program," he said. "It's not just being able to read the course material and take the test, but being able to wrap my head around a subject and really think critically about any given topic."

The program offers a variety of courses, but Maggio said that his favorite course was Global Perspectives.

"I took that my ninth grade year and I really liked the teacher for it. One thing I really liked about that class was that it wasn't just a traditional history class it was more about learning in general," Maggio said.

One topic the course focused on that Maggio was interested in was world religions.

"I've always loved learning about religion and cultures. It's something I've been very interested in. I liked all of the history classes," he said.

He strongly believes all incoming freshman should consider signing up for the AICE program.

"I highly recommend the AICE program. I would tell freshmen to take the jump when you still have the opportunity," he said. "As long as they have the drive and willingness, any student should do it."

After graduating with his AICE diplom, Maggio will be entering college in the fall with 20 college credits.

Achieving excellence in and out of the classroom

Not only did Maggio excel inside the classroom, he was also very involved on campus and created two new clubs at the school.

"I created a Model UN and the Knights of the Square Table, which is our class club. I'm the student founder for both," he said.

He said that for the chess club he was elected king and for Model UN he was voted secretary and general.

As the secretary and general of Model UN, he had the role of overseeing the other nations. During their meetings, he would create world issues and lead discussion on how different countries could handle it.

"Let's say the issue was a hostage situation in Iran and the U.S has hostages that are somehow involved. How does Russia react? China? Iran?" Maggio said. "We have to understand how people think. And because I want to work in politics, this is the kind of stuff I have to think about."

Next stop Catholic University, then the White House

Maggio is moving to Washington D.C. to attend The Catholic University of America.

"I just think with Catholic University, it's a beautiful campus and they really care about their students," he said. "Given it's ties, it's owned by the Catholic Church, built by the Vatican, and the Pope visits — as someone that likes religion, I just think it's phenomenal."

At Catholic University, Maggio is majoring in politics and is considering getting a minor or dual major in economics. He also plans to study abroad.

"I need to understand a worldview, so I will definitely do a semester in Tel Aviv or England or Tokyo just to get a global perspective," Maggio said.

During his time in D.C., he has aspirations of working at for a Senator or Congressmen to learn more about policy and leadership. And after he graduates from college, he hopes to someday call the White House his home.

"I think I'm going to come back here and run for State office, then Federal office, and the main goal is Presidency someday."

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Leesburg High School student one of first to graduate with AICE diploma