Carter Webb, a sixth grader at Ohio Virtual Academy, earned second place in the Stride K12 National Robotics Competition Championship. Competing with his teammate as “MechTech Mechanics,” Carter was among the youngest finalists. A self-taught coder, Carter’s love for problem-solving and robotics began with Minecraft and online tutorials. His coach praised his resilience and teamwork. Now in its third year, OHVA’s Robotics Club serves over 130 students, helping them build technical and life skills through coding and robotics challenges.
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Esports Is Preparation for Leadership, Confidence, Success
At Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, an esports program uses competitive gaming like League of Legends and Rocket League to build teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. Students balance academics with structured team play similar to traditional sports. The program has helped students grow in confidence and engagement, including quieter students who became leaders. Supporters say esports develops real-world skills and can lead to careers in gaming, technology, and related fields.
Anderson Mother-Daughter Duo’s New Book Aims To Help Children With Anxiety
Nikki Snow, a teacher at Indiana Gateway Digital Academy, co-authored a new book with her daughter Savannah, a sophomore at the same school, called “Finley the Fox and Her Fluttery Feelings.” The children’s book explores anxiety and mental health through storytelling. The pair said the school’s flexible online model helped them collaborate on the project. The story follows a fox learning to manage anxiety with support from friends, aiming to help children better understand and talk about emotions.
Centreville Scout on Track for Eagle Scout Rank at Just 14 Years Old
At 14, Leelan Gold of Centreville, a student at Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan, is close to becoming an Eagle Scout—an achievement only about 4% reach. He has earned 52 merit badges in three years and only needs to complete his Eagle Project, building about 100 birdhouses honoring veterans. Motivated by service and supported by flexible virtual schooling, he also pursues cybersecurity and programming and hopes to inspire others facing medical challenges.