WARREN, Mich. - Two interns have joined the De La Salle Collegiate faculty this fall. Aaron Solomon, a master’s student at Siena Heights University, is working in the Counseling Department under counselor Tony Albani, while Ben Westphal is student-teaching with Annmarie Michol in the English Department. 

Aaron Solomon, Intern, Counseling
Currently working on a master’s in clinical psychology at Siena Heights, Solomon chose to complete some of his internship hours in a high school setting. 

“I was interested in completing some hours in a high school because I feel that is a pivotal point in many people’s lives, especially boys,” Solomon said. “They are dealing with becoming more of an adult and gaining responsibility while also trying to balance schoolwork, friends, sports, other hobbies, and relationships. I'm very interested to see the differences between your typical school setting and the all-boys’ setting.”

Solomon is a 2010 graduate of Birmingham (Mich.) Roeper High School, and completed his bachelor’s in psychology at Eastern Michigan University. 

He chose to pursue a career in psychology because of “my interest in human nature.” 
 
Solomon’s mother is a Ph.D. level therapist in private practice, and he currently works as her office manager. He also works with a company specializing in therapy for the autistic population. 
 
Ben Westphal, Student-Teacher, English
Westphal, an English and education major at the University of Detroit Mercy, and a 2016 De La Salle alumnus is excited to be at his high school alma mater.

An active student during his four years at De La Salle, including service as Student Council President his senior year, Westphal originally planned to major in psychology. When he spent time shadowing teachers at his alma mater, he was inspired to switch to education. 

“As a teacher, I can make a difference in the lives of students,” he said. 

Westphal has also been involved in student government at UDM, where he is currently vice-president. He was president during the 2019-2020 school year and co-chaired the school’s orientation in Fall 2019. He also co-chaired the national leadership conference at UDM in 2019. 

“This is definitely an adjustment,” Westphal said. “I’m getting used to the new name - Mr. Westphal. It’s an experience I won’t forget.”