Student Promotes Montpelier Archaeology through Video Project

 “An average of only one out of twenty people that tour the Montpelier mansion walk down to the Archaeology Lab,” notes Orange County High School student Eric Deloriea.  After attending a summer archaeology program at President James Madison’s home, Montpelier, Eric chose to continue the Montpelier work through his Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School Senior Project this year. He developed a blog and a series of short videos highlighting archaeological techniques used at the site which are posted on YouTube and linked to the Montpelier website. The purpose of the video project is to increase tourist’s knowledge of archaeology and promote interest in work going on in the lab.

The BRVGS Senior Project requirements include a research question, internship, and community service, and Eric’s research has centered around verifying the integrity of oral history through archaeology. “What we learn in books about history is nearly always true, but archaeology provides the most solid historical evidence with the presence of physical historical artifacts.”

Besides his work at Montpelier, Eric loves science and history, holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, is a member of the Orange County JROTC Battalion, is interested in technology, and is also a member of the National Honor Society.

To view the video series Eric developed, click on http://www.montpelier.org/content/archaeology-expedition-videos

Lindsay Knights Wins Gifted Association Logo Competition

 The Virginia Association for the Gifted (VAG) adopted a new logo designed by Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School student Lindsay Knights. Her work was selected in a statewide competition to officially represent VAG on their website and on other promotional and informational materials.

 VAG was founded in 1977 to support gifted education. The organization hosts statewide conferences and seminars, publishes materials, and supports gifted research and preparation for gifted educators.

Lindsay is a 10th grader at William Monroe High School who loves art and plans to pursue that passion in college. Congratulations to Lindsay on her winning design!

BRVGS Seniors Schedule Community Service Fundraisers

As part of their Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School Senior Projects, students use the knowledge they gain from their research and internship to give something back to school or community. These community service projects are meant to leave a legacy, or lasting impact. BRVGS seniors are currently involved with a number of slated community service fundraisers in January and upcoming months.

Slam N’ Jam 2015 is set for this Saturday, January 17, to raise money for the Louisa Arts Center. The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Betty Queen Center, 522 Industrial Drive in Louisa.  The basketball tournament is being offered exclusively to Louisa County High School students, however, the concert is open to everyone. The concert will host Griff's Room Band, Jericho, MC Peen Bar, and BRVGS's own Eva Hansen and DJ IGNITE. T-shirts for Louisa Slam n’ Jam can be purchased through teespring.com/stores/slamnjam2015.

On the following weekend, the first ever Goochland Faculty Talent Show will be held Saturday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Goochland High School. Tickets are $5 in advance, and $7 at the door. The event will support Goochland band programs.

The Kolor Me Katie 5K run is scheduled for May 16 at the Goochland YMCA. The race is being held to honor the life of Katie Anderson who passed away at age 16 after a year-long battle with cancer. All proceeds go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help fund research to cure blood cancers. Around 300-400 people are anticipated at the event. Senior Meghan Edwards is requesting sponsorships, and is hopes that readers will share the opportunity with other potential sponsors and donors. For more information, see Event Details - Kolor Me Katie 5K.

BRVGS Students Complete UVA Engineering

BRVGS students pose with Dr. James Groves (left) of UVa's School of EngineeringJust before the holiday break, a group of 13 BRVGS students from Orange, Louisa, Madison and William Monroe High Schools, along with students from several other area schools, completed a 3-credit "Explorations in Engineering" course through the University of Virgina by demonstrating "design and build" projects in Rice Hall at UVa.  The  course provided students an in-depth look at different engineering disciplines and introduced them to process problem-solving.  

The final project for the class requires teams of students to identify and solve a problem with an engineering solution.  Products for this class ranged from better sports cameras to help with officiating to more efficient turbocharging for engines.  In their presentations, students consistently reported the problem-solving skills as one of the most important things that they learned in the course.  Congratulations to these students for their hard work in the class!

Happy Holidays from BRVGS

As 2014 draws to a close, we have the chance to reflect on the many accomplishments of our students and staff over the past year.  We are very proud of the dedication to learning shown by all, thankful for the opportunity to work with such wonderful students and teachers, and eager to continue that work in 2015.  

Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School wishes everyone a safe and joyous holiday, and a happy New Year!