BRVGS Seniors from all 7 counties will present their yearlong Senior Capstone Projects in a science fair format over 2 days, April 29th and 30th.
BRVGS World History students will be presenting their second semester group projects in April.
Applications for entry to the 2015-2016 BRVGS program will be available in member district middle schools and on the BRVGS website beginning this coming Wednesday, October 15th. An electronic copy is also available by clicking on BRVGS Online Application Form.
Contact BRVGS Director Marc Carraway at 434-989-3972, or by email at mcarraway@brvgs.k12.va.us for questions on the application process.
The BRVGS Joint Board will meet at 1:00 PM on Monday, Oct 6th, at the Best Western Zion Crossroads. The agenda for the meeting can be viewed by clicking on October 2014 BRVGS Board Packet. Please contact BRVGS Director Marc Carraway at mcarraway@brvgs.k12.va.us or by phone at 434-989-3972 for any questions.
Over 130 parents and students came out to Best Western on Sept. 11th for an informational meeting to kick off the school year. BRVGS officials reviewed the program mission and skill goals for students, upcoming activities for each grade level, elective college courses available through BRVGS, and tips for preparing students to be successful in college and beyond.
The presentation slides from the evening can be viewed by clicking on BRVGS Parent Info Night Presentation. Please contact BRVGS Director Marc Carraway at mcarraway@brvgs.k12.va.us or 434-989-3972 for any questions.
Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School will hold an informational “Back to School Night” at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 11th at Best Western Zion Crossroads, 135 Wood Ridge Terrace in Zion Crossroads. BRVGS parents and students are invited to learn more about the BRVGS program. The purpose of the meeting includes an outline of the year’s major activities in each BRVGS course. Parents will also learn about current research and information on preparing students for college and career demands. BRVGS staff will also gather input from parents for BRVGS future planning. The brief meeting will last no more than an hour, light snacks will be served, and no RSVP is required for attendance.
Digging in dirt over long durations was quite the task for some BRVGS students this summer at the Montpelier Archeology Field program. “The most difficult part, honestly, was staying on track while digging because I would get tired or hungry,” said senior Devon Burger. Devon, along with Fluvanna County High School classmates Sasha Morgan and Lauren Staton, as well as Louisa seniors Kat Topf and Abby Whitlock participated in the weeklong on-site experience at the home of U.S. President James Madison in Orange.
But apparently the rewards outweighed the challenges because the five seniors persevered and praised the program experience. “For me, the most rewarding aspect of the field school was the opportunity to contribute to the worthy cause of the historic preservation/research of Montpelier,” noted Abby Whitlock. She added that such an objective is “something I have always felt is extremely important.”
The students enrolled in the program for James Madison University college credit, BRVGS Senior Internship placement, and/or personal discovery. In addition to their excavation work, they processed artifacts and samples in the lab, heard lectures, and toured the mansion and archaeological sites on the property.
“The most rewarding aspect of the experience was the feeling of accomplishment when you found an artifact and the knowledge you gained from the experience,” said Sasha. I would definitely recommend the experience to others; it is a great opportunity to discover history.”
Sasha Morgan, Lauren Staton , Matt Reeves (Head Archaeologist for Montpelier), Devon Burger, Abby Whitlock, and Kat Topf in front of Montpelier's west wing.The Blue Ridge Governor’s School students contributed to artifact discoveries during their week at Montpelier. Sasha said, “We uncovered a piece of coral that is believed to belong to and be traded among slaves as a form of property and rank among the slave population.”
Devon was enthusiastic about her finds, and added that “Peggy, the intern I was paired with, and I found the corner of an outbuilding that they have been looking for, and we found pieces of ceramic. Overall it was an awesome week!”
Perhaps Abby best captured the essence of the experience with these words: “The opportunity to watch history literally be unearthed in front of your eyes and be able to touch it and call it your discovery is simply...amazing.’
See more images of BRVGS students working in the Montpelier Field program by clicking on BRVGS Students at Montpelier.
