Scarlett Phillips, a student at Florida Cyber Charter Academy, discovered her passion for advocating for the deaf community after a meaningful encounter with a deaf man. Already fluent in Spanish and studying American Sign Language, the 17-year-old plans to become an attorney and use ASL in her legal career. Inspired by the power of connection through language, Phillips now aims to ensure the deaf community has a voice—and plans to open her own law firm to help make that a reality.
Related Articles
Centerville Student Wins Second Place in National Robotics Competition
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.
Sid Miller’s Triumph: Virtual Academy Opens Doors to New Opportunities
Sid Miller, a Wisconsin Virtual Academy graduate, overcame vision and hearing impairments to find success in school and career. After struggling in traditional classrooms, he thrived at WIVA with accessible tools, supportive teachers, and specialized classes. He now interns with the Wisconsin DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project, writes Manga-inspired novels, and begins college this fall. His message to others: be your own advocate, stay focused, and seek support—especially through community groups and alternative learning options like virtual school.
From a Distance: Virtual Learning in Arkansas Continues Postpandemic Boom With Some New Features
Arkansas Virtual Academy has been pioneering virtual K–12 education since 2003. Based in Little Rock, ARVA now serves 5,500 students across all 75 Arkansas counties with offerings like AP courses, career coaching, college credit classes, and in-person events such as prom and field trips. Head of School Amy Johnson credits the pandemic as a turning point, accelerating innovation and acceptance of online learning tailored to students’ unique academic, social, and emotional needs.