Learning That Lasts: How the Institutes Shape College Success, with Paige Iacobacci '24

Perkiomen School’s Institutes are designed to prepare students for what comes next, at the university level and beyond. In this blog series, we hear directly from Perkiomen alumni who are now studying in fields aligned with their Institute experience, as they reflect on how hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world problem solving shaped their transition to college and continue to influence their academic journeys today.

 

Paige Iacobacci '24 is a student at University of Southern California's renowned School of Cinematic Arts studying Cinema and Media Studies with a minor in Screenwriting. 

As she moves into her sophomore year, she's diving deeper into specialized coursework, expanding her professional network, and gaining hands-on experience in the entertainment industry.

"Having completed many broad, introductory classes, I'm now able to study more specific topics that cater to my interests and passions," says Iacobacci. "I'm also looking forward to internship and professional opportunities as I continue to make connections."

Her ultimate goal is to write and produce television programming.

"I've been drawn to the collaborative nature of television writing and producing," she explains. "That said, I'm excited to continue exploring different roles and discovering where I best fit within the industry."

At Perkiomen, Iacobacci participated in both the Design Institute and the Entrepreneurship Institute. She was initially drawn to the Design Institute because it allowed her to better understand the creative process while developing the technical and critical thinking skills behind successful creative work.

One of her most memorable experiences was producing her Design Institute capstone, an original short film titled Over the Hill, which examined the topic of body image in teenage girls. From researching ideas and revising scripts to planning production, filming, and editing, Iacobacci experienced every stage of bringing a story to life.

"It was great preparation for the work I'm now doing at USC," she says.

 

 

 

At the same time, the Entrepreneurship Institute helped her develop a different, but equally important, set of skills.

"While I didn't see myself becoming a traditional entrepreneur, I recognized that creative careers require skills like financing, personal branding, and outreach," she shares. 

Those lessons proved invaluable. During her junior year, Paige earned distinction in the Entrepreneurship Institute after leading a successful fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), gaining experience that continues to influence how she approaches professional projects today.

 

While she graduated as the Class of 2024's Valedictorian, Iacobacci's experiences at Perkiomen extended well beyond the classroom.

She immersed herself in theatre productions, music ensembles, student government, podcasting, and numerous clubs and organizations. Those experiences taught her to manage a full schedule, speak confidently, lead teams, and embrace opportunities outside her comfort zone.

 

 

When she arrived at USC, she didn't hesitate to become involved and that confidence has allowed her to thrive in one of the country's most competitive film schools.

"The ability to participate in so many different activities at Perkiomen empowered me to apply for leadership roles at USC and enthusiastically put myself out there."

While her capstone film closely mirrors the filmmaking process she's studying today, another Perkiomen experience unexpectedly became one of her greatest assets.

As host of the school's student podcast, Cookies and Cupolas, Iacobacci learned how to produce original content, conduct interviews, edit audio, mix sound, and promote episodes through social media. At the time, she simply saw it as an exciting opportunity. Looking back, she recognizes how transferable those skills have become.

"Hosting the podcast made me confident in audio production, holding conversations, making new connections, and trusting myself to try roles I didn't have experience in," says Iacobacci. 

 

 

 

This summer, Iacobacci is taking on her biggest production role yet.

She is serving as the on-campus producer for It's a Struggle Coming Out, an original comedic play written by fellow USC student Ben Berman and produced through the Los Angeles Theatre Initiative (LATI). Following a sold-out preview run in Hollywood, the production will travel to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival — the largest arts festival in the world.

"It’ s a Struggle Coming Out, is a 60-minute comedic farce that combines early 2000s humor and film references with themes of religion, sexuality, and friendship," shares Iacobacci. "The play follows four girls, as they prepare for their cotillion, ultimately learning more about their town, their church, and themselves in the process."

As producer, Iacobacci coordinates communication between LATI and USC's student cast and crew while managing production logistics, budgets, fundraising, scheduling, marketing, and designer meetings. She has also played an active role in script development and casting.

When the production arrives in Scotland, her responsibilities will expand even further. She will oversee production logistics on-site, coordinate technical elements, operate the sound board during performances, and help promote the show throughout the festival.

It's a significant leadership role for a college sophomore, and one she feels prepared to tackle because of the experiences she had even before arriving at USC. 

 

 

 

Iacobacci's journey from Perkiomen to USC demonstrates what makes the Institute experience unique. The Design and Entrepreneurship Institutes equipped her with practical skills to supplement her creativity and drive, and that continue to shape her education and professional experiences.

 

 

I participated in several different clubs and organizations while at Perkiomen which gave me the confidence to continue a similar level of involvement at USC. Having the ability to participate in so many different activities, like theatre, music groups, student government, and podcasting, empowered me to apply for leadership roles in USC organizations and enthusiastically put myself out there. Through these experiences, I gained many personal and professional skills at Perk, such as public speaking, balancing a busy schedule, and challenging myself academically. These skills have significantly benefitted me in my transition from high school to college. -- Paige Iacobacci '24

 

 

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Learn More

 

Design Institute

Entrepreneur Institute