Ahead of National Student Athlete Day, 14-year-old Capriana “Cappie” Zamora is making waves as an elite jiu-jitsu competitor and standout student. Once unsure about the sport, Cappie now trains up to six days a week, competes nationally, and leads with passion—both on the mat and in the classroom through North Carolina Virtual Academy. As team captain and youth coach, she’s inspiring others while chasing her dream of one day opening a woman-led jiu-jitsu gym.
Three Wyoming Virtual Academy students, Xavier Beckstead, Breana Fonseca, and Jeraldi Fonseca, were selected for the University of Wyoming’s prestigious 2026 Summer High School Institute. Chosen through a competitive nomination process, they joined top students from across the state for three weeks of college-level coursework, hands-on research, leadership development, and campus experiences designed to prepare future scholars for success in higher education.
West Virginia Virtual Academy student Eden Faulcon has been selected to participate in the 2026 SpaceTrek Program, a competitive residential STEM experience focused on aerospace engineering and space systems. Chosen from a diverse applicant pool, Eden will join students from across Appalachia for two weeks of hands-on learning, leadership development, and real-world engineering challenges designed to inspire the next generation of innovators.
