Student Spotlight
Student Shark Advocate Works with Legislators
By Guest Blogger on February 13th, 2019
This post was written by FLVS student and Model United Nations club member James A. La Fayette Jr.
Sierra Boodhoo is a 16-year-old student on a mission to make a positive impact on society. After experiencing racial profiling and bullying at her previous school, she switched to FLVS Flex in 7th grade where her interest in marine biology began. Her interest was sparked when she watched an episode of Shark Week with shark nets. She kept the flame going and researched sharks despite discouragement from others due to age, gender, and other societal bias.
She was told, “You are just an 11-year-old girl. Quit sharks. Switch to something girly like ballet.” Continue reading
Win an iPad in our #FLVSCodes Contest
By Marissa Draeger on December 3rd, 2018
To celebrate our tech-savvy students, FLVS is hosting a contest from Dec. 3, 2018 through Jan. 14, 2019. We want to see how our students are engaging in computer science activities — from coding to construction!
Three lucky winners – one in elementary, one in middle, and one in high school – will be chosen to receive an iPad generously donated by the FLVS Foundation. Winners will be selected based on the quality, creativity, uniqueness, and relevance of their entry. Continue reading
Where FLVS Students See Themselves in 20 Years
By Marissa Draeger on December 1st, 2017
FLVS has certainly grown since we first opened our virtual doors in 1997. We’ve come a long way over the years, and so have our students!
During our recent photo contest, students told us how they have grown thanks to FLVS and where they see themselves in the future. Last month, we shared our three contest winners, but there were so many amazing entries that we had to include a few honorable mentions…
Announcing our 2017 Photo Contest Winners
By Marissa Draeger on November 16th, 2017
For the last several years, FLVS has hosted photo contests allowing students to share their success stories and what it’s like to be an online student. This school year, we put a new twist on the contest as FLVS celebrates 20 years of innovative student learning. Continue reading
Meet Cristi, Founder of Tallahassee Teen Magazine
By Guest Blogger on March 13th, 2017
FLVS student Cristi McKee has been a member of the Creative Writing Club since 2012 and is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Tallahassee Teen Magazine.
In a recent interview with club students, she answered questions about her experiences as an intern with Tallahassee Woman Magazine.
What motivated you to found Tallahassee Teen Magazine?
I always wanted to inspire teens through writing, but I never could figure out how – until December 2015.
I took my love for writing and approached a local magazine and their publisher, Tallahassee Woman Magazine and Kim Rosier, and told them that I was interested in starting a magazine for teenagers that would be filled with inspirational, encouraging content while also celebrating local teen’s accomplishments. Soon after, Tallahassee Teen Magazine was founded courtesy of Tallahassee Woman Magazine. Continue reading
Meet FLVS Student Olivia McComb
By Guest Blogger on February 9th, 2017
This article was originally written and published in the FLVS student newspaper, News in a Click.
For FLVS student Olivia McComb, music is her life.
As a classic rock musician based in Sarasota, Florida, the 15-year-old has been singing “ever since she could talk.” Olivia has performed live at multiple venues singing both classic rock and 90’s music.
She says, “I entertained the idea of being a singer for many years, but when I was 11, I started taking the idea seriously and at 13 I started training my voice to sing professionally.”
A teen of many talents, Olivia primarily plays seven instruments: guitar, piano, drums and cajon, bass, ukulele and tambourine.
In addition, she enjoys writing her own songs and lyrics. “Playing around with progressions on guitar and piano is extremely fun.” Continue reading
Meet our 2016 Photo Contest Winners
By Marissa Draeger on October 10th, 2016
Over the last several weeks, FLVS students have been sharing what makes them unique in our fall photo contest on social media.
Using Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, participants were asked to submit a photo showing what makes them one-of-a-kind using #IAMFLVS.
It was truly inspiring to see so many entries (including many of our new elementary students!) and hear all of your stories. We also enjoyed following the journey of several students who participated in our contest in years past!
We loved hearing how the flexibility of FLVS allows you to be yourself and follow your dreams.
As we have in previous contests, three winners were selected…one at random, one by our judges, and one by popular vote.
And now, we’re excited to present them to you!
Student Gives at Animal Shelter and Gains Much More
By Guest Blogger on November 24th, 2015
This month, we asked students to share ways they give back in their communities using #flvsgiving on social media. This post was written by one of our students who volunteers at her local animal shelter.
Hi, I’m Alexis Lamphere.
I’m a senior at FLVS and I currently volunteer with the Osceola County Animals Services in Saint Cloud.
In addition to volunteering my time, I foster kittens that are underweight or too young to be adopted and don’t have a mother cat to take care of them.
Working at the shelter is honestly a life-changing experience. I’m given the chance to help improve and change many lives every day. It teaches you to be selfless and you start to have an endless love for each animal. You start to care about the animal’s happiness more than your own and he/she becomes more than “just some dog” or “just some cat.” The animal becomes a loved one, a friend, and part of your heart. Continue reading
Congrats to our 2015 Photo Contest Winners
By Marissa Draeger on September 26th, 2015
This year, we saw all kinds of inspiring and amazing student stories in our fall photo contest.
Over the last two months, students have been sharing images on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook showing how they have succeeded with the help of Florida Virtual School. In the photo caption, students were asked to explain how FLVS has allowed them to do great things using the hashtag #SuccessAtFLVS.
Three winners were chosen – one at random, one by popular vote, and one selected by FLVS judges. We received images from hospitalized and homebound students, students entering the ROTC, community service volunteers, musicians, artists, athletes, and aspiring entrepreneurs – all of which made us wish we could have chosen more of you!
Continue reading
Meet FLVS Student Zac
By Guest Blogger on September 11th, 2015
Meet Florida Virtual School student Zac Pullam.
Zac has been with FLVS since the summer of 2014. He is a homeschool student, although he takes a pretty full load of classes with FLVS.
In January of 2013, Zachary and I (his mom) headed out to Hollywood for him to pursue his dream of becoming an actor – a decision his dad and I made together. We had the support of our community and his teachers, as well as his principal.
We withdrew him from his current elementary school in Tallahassee and began to homeschool him while in CA. We were there through June, then returned home to Florida for a few weeks. Continue reading