Led by the dynamic duo of Mrs. Vargo and Mr. Cecere, the IU, or Intermediate Unit, has been a tremendous resource to Central Catholic for years, often called “The Hidden Gem of Central Catholic” due to its tucked-away location in the back of the teacher’s lounge.

The IU is a place that all students should visit if they are struggling with their schoolwork. I had the chance to interview the duo about what exactly they do here at Central and how they can help you.

The Viking: Can you give us a summary of the services you offer here at IU?

Mrs. Vargo and Mr. Cecere: Students come to receive help with their homework, to get their essays proofread, and to receive help tackling their schoolwork.

Mr. Cecere – known colloquially as Mr. C to his students – is a math tutor whose expertise ranges from algebra to calculus. Mrs. Vargo is an English, history, and science expert. She also works to help students stay on top of their homework and manage their schedules.

The Viking: How can IU help a struggling student?

Mrs. Vargo and Mr. Cecere: We work to find areas that students need help with, whether it’s a specific subject or a flaw in their study habits. We can also help them become a better-organized student. However, our primary goal is to maximize students’ academic potential and give them more confidence that they can always do better.

The Viking: What is your favorite part about what you do here at the IU?

Mrs. Vargo and Mr. Cecere: When we hear about the high grades students get on their tests and how much they’ve improved, it’s really a joy. We love seeing students succeed in various ways. Most of all, we love when a student comes to us and says that we were a big help and that he was able to turn his grades around because of the IU.

The Viking: How can students get signed up for tutoring?

Mrs. Vargo and Mr. Cecere: They can check in with their guidance counselor or check in with the IU to get signed up. We encourage students who feel they aren’t doing as well as they want in class to sign up.

The Viking: What has been your favorite memory from your time at Central?

Mrs. Vargo and Mr. Cecere: Well, our least favorite memory was definitely doing remote learning during COVID. Our favorite memory was when a student referred to us as “The Hidden Gem of Central Catholic,” which was very funny. We also enjoy hearing students speak highly of IU and how the experience helped them. Also, Central includes us as faculty and welcomes us on a level with all teachers, which we highly appreciate.

The Viking: What advice can you give to all students to help them do better in school?

Mrs. Vargo and Mr. Cecere: Most importantly, stay organized and have a planner to maximize your success. Make sure you keep track of your assignments and due dates, so you don’t forget to turn assignments in; nothing is worse than leaving easy points on the table. Spread out your studying and don’t cram in one night. When it comes to studying for math, you just “study math by doing math.”

I took advantage of the IU last year to receive help with my calculus class, and it was a huge lifesaver. Mr. C is very good at helping students understand what they are learning and how to use what they learn on tests properly.

Thanks to Mr. C, I went from a 70% on the midterm to a 100% on the final. I also asked Mrs. Vargo to read over my essays, and she was a massive help in finding mistakes and improving my word economy.

Mrs. Vargo helped me to improve my writing and get better grades on papers. Without a doubt, the IU is a great resource that I recommend to all students!