BRVGS 2016 China Trip Proposed

Photo by: jeremybarwick, Creative Commons

Interested in traveling to China in 2016? Students who will be Blue Ridge Governor’s School juniors or seniors in the 2015-16 school year are eligible for this possible venture.

The BRVGS Board authorized a survey to determine interest in this proposed student/teacher trip. If enough interest is shown, and plans meet Board approval, students and teachers will travel to Beijing, Xi'an (site of the Terra Cotta Warriors) and Shanghai over the nine-day period of June 20th through June 28, 2016.

If approved, BRVGS plans to organize several fundraising events in the summer of 2015 and throughout the 2015-16 school year to help students raise money to defray trip costs.   

Director Marc Carraway has emailed the survey to 2015-2016 juniors and seniors, and will present results to the Board. Deadline for responding to the survey is March 27, 2015.  Please feel free to contact Mr. Carraway at  mcarr1@brvgs.k12.va.us  with any questions regarding the proposed trip.

BRVGS Students Attend FOVGS Capital Day

10 BRVGS students got to see their state government up close on Feb. 9th.  The students took part in the Friends of Virginia Governor's School Capital Day, in which students visit legislators to educate them about Governors, tour the Virginia State Capitol building, and watch the legislators at work.  Students also had the chance to meet and talk with their peers from other Virginia Governor's Schools.  

These students deserve a big thanks for the great job that they did in respresenting their home schools and BRVGS at Capital Day this year.  To see a slideshow of the day, click on FOVGS Capital Day Slideshow.  

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.