Cordelia, a senior at Wisconsin Virtual Academy, is one of four student musicians advancing to the final round of the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Bolz Young Artist Competition at the Overture Center for the Arts. A violinist since age three, she has already earned national recognition, including first prize at the 2024 American International Music Competition and semifinalist honors in the 2025 Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Stars of Tomorrow Competition.
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.
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.
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.