"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you."

—Oprah Winfrey

Why does Snoop Dog carry an umbrella?

FO' DRIZZLE!

Now, more than ever, employers are looking for skilled, experienced and motivated employees who can work collaboratively and lead successful teams. CRE - Career Readiness can help you to prepare for your future - no matter what career and educational paths you choose.

As the school year progresses, stay active and engaged with the many opportunities that you will have to expand your skill set, grow personally and professionally, and maximize your potential.

This issue of our newsletter features the first of a series of feature articles regarding colleges, careers and service opportunities. Remain active and engaged...your future is just around the corner!

Our most important role at West Virginia Virtual Academy is to provide support, opportunities and information to help students and families make informed choices and find success. In order for us to achieve that goal, we need some information from you. Please take a few moments and share your career and educational interests so that we can mold programing to your needs. The survey will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

WVVA Career Interest Survey

NASA's Back to School Career Day is an annual event aimed at inspiring students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math fields, particularly in aerospace and related areas. The event features talks by NASA professionals, interactive workshops, virtual tours of NASA facilities, and Q & A Sessions to provide students with insights into various career paths within the agency. Through these events, students are encouraged to explore their interests and future opportunities in STEM.

NASA's Back to School Events require registration. Please be sure to submit your registration by noon on September 3, 2024

Register Here!

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - Do you want to explore career opportunities that make a difference in the world? Join us for an exclusive U.S. Army Webinar with Station Commander Justin Kimble. He will help us to understand the various roles and career options available in the Army. Justin will share insights into leadership, training, and service to your country and help you to see if the Army is right for you. Please click the link below to register for the September 26th Event. We look forward to you joining us.

United States Army Webinar Registration

Don't forget to check out our feature article on the United States Army in this issue of the InspireWire

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - Are you thinking of continuing your education at a community college during or after high school? Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in Martinsburg, WV offers diverse options to advance your career potential. On September 20th, Rebecca Paulin, Director or Student Outreach will be joining us to share information about the school, opportunities for you as a student, as well as Financial Aid and planning. Use the link below to register for the event. We hope that you will be joining us.

Blue Ridge Community & Technical College Webinar

Please take a look at the feature article on Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in this issue of the InspireWire

FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America is a nationwide Career and Technical Student Organization whose mission is to “inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.”

WVVA FBLA meets monthly - . To be a member of FBLA, students must be enrolled in one of the business courses offered at WVVA. Ms. Haley Rudd serves as the FBLA Advisor. Please reach out to her at hrudd@westvaacademy.org if you have questions and would like to join!

For more information about FBLA, visit the National FBLA Site and/or the West Virginia FBLA Site

"The Confident Teen" is the ultimate cheat code for middle and high school students looking to supercharge life and career skills. Hosted by K12.com Career Success Coaches, each episode delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, and expert insights to decode the secrets of adulting and career development. Tune in to gain valuable life skills and boost your confidence.

Boost your life and crush this school year! In this episode, you’ll get the scoop on everything you need to plan an epic year, hit your goals, and take your school success to the next level.

The First Episode Premiers Friday, September 13, at 3:00 PM - Register Today!

2024 is an election year. If you will be 18 years old on or before November 5, 2024 you can take part in the national, state and local elections. Voter registration is a quick and easy process, but must be completed before the October 15th deadline. You can complete your registration through the WV Secretary of State’s Office. It is not only a right, it is a responsibility!

West Virginia University, is considered by many to be the flagship University of the state. As the state’s largest higher education institution (nearly 27,000 students) WVU offers a wide variety of Schools and Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral Majors for nearly every interest and career.

West Virginia University’s Morgantown Campus offers the most versatile study options, but the college also offers majors and certificate programs in an online platform.

Notable WVU Graduates....

• Katherine Johnson - A Mathematician who worked for NASA calculating spacecraft trajectories in the 60s. She was immortalized in the 2016 film ‘Hidden Figures’.
• Steve Harvey - Television personality who has earned seven Daytime Emmy Awards, two Marconi Awards, and fourteen NAACP Image Awards.
• Jerry West - “Mr. Clutch” and “The Logo” were common nicknames for the the 3 time Basketball Hall of Famer who won 9 NBA Championships as a player and executive.
• Georgeann Wells - An All-American Basketball player, Wells was the first woman to dunk the basketball in an NCAA game (1984). Wells went on to tour with the Harlem Globetrotters.

WVU is one of two Land Grant Colleges in West Virginia. Land Grant Schools were established from money raised from the sale of western lands granted to each state by the US Government in 1862. Land Grant Schools are still required to offer Agriculture and the Mechanical Arts (engineering) as a stipulation of that law.

WVU offers a diverse range of academic programs spanning various disciplines, including business, engineering, health sciences, arts, agriculture & more. With undergraduate, graduate and professional degree options, students can pursue their interests and career goals with a strong foundation in research, innovation and experiential learning.

West Virginia University has a diverse range of social, recreational and developmental opportunities that connect students with each other, their community and their interests.

Use these Links to Explore More about West Virginia's Largest Land Grant University

• West Virginia University Home Page
• Take a Virtual Campus Tour
• Schedule a Visit
• Apply Today

Contacts

• (304)293-0111
• web_services@mail.edu
• PO Box 6201 Morgantown, WV 26506
• www.wvu.edu

Blue Ridge Community & Technical College is located in Martinsburg, WV. The college offers a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs in various fields including business, healthcare, information technology and more.

With a focus on hands on learning and skills development, Blue Ridge prepares students with the expertise to succeed in a wealth of careers. The college partners with local businesses to assure students receive relevant, real world experiences.

As a Community and Technical School, Blue Ridge offers several unique opportunities that are not always available at a 4 year college or university.

• A la Carte Courses - Students have the ability to take singlet or a series of courses as a Non-Degree Seeking Student, coming and going in the various course offerings as needed.
• Transferability - as a WV student, up to 35 general studies course credits can transfer to 4-year colleges & universities in the state.
• Community College - as a CTC, Blue Ridge offers a small campus environment with a low student: teacher ratio.

Blue Ridge Community & Technical College started in the basement of Gardiner Residence Hall at Shepherd College in 1972 at Shepherdstown, WV. Today, the main campus sits on a 46 acre plot in Martinsburg, WV and serves over 2500 undergraduate and graduate students.

Blue Ridge offers students a wealth of certificate programs - fast track pathways that allow employees to qualify and advance in a career. Certificate programs can be completed in less than a year and are offered in disciplines ranging from welding and robotics to software development and tourism.

Although cost savings can vary greatly depending upon courses and major, Blue Ridge CTC tuition costs are approximately half of the cost of tuition at WVU for undergraduates.

Use these Links to Explore More about Blue Ridge Community & Technical College

• Blue Ridge CTC Home Page
• High School Dual Credit
• Virtual Tour
• Apply to Blue Ridge CTC

Contacts

• (304)260-4380
• admissions@blueridgectc.edu
• 13650 Apple Harvest Drive Martinsburg, WV 25403
• www.blueridgectc.edu

The US Army is a cornerstone of the nation’s defense and a symbol of courage, dedication and service. The Army has a history that dates back to the founding of our nation and continues to play a critical role in assuring our freedoms and interests both home and abroad.

Notable US Army Soldiers

• George Washington - Perhaps the most significant of our founding fathers, Washington served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and later President of the U.S.
• Jackie Robinson - Famed for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, Robinson served in the Army during WWII. In 1943 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and joined the 761st “Black Panthers” Tank Battalion
• Clint Eastwood - Before his legendary status as an actor and film maker, Clint Eastwood served in the US Army during the Korean War. He spent his enlisted time as a swimming instructor.
• Jessica Lynch - A West Virginia native, Lynch was captured during the Battle of Nasiriyah in Iraq. She was later rescued from her captives. Her POW status and subsequent rescue was the first of a female service member in US History.

The U.S. Army is the largest employer of musicians in the world! As opposed to infantrymen, many army service members are musicians instead. They are often called upon for ceremonial purposes or to host concerts to help boost morale of the soldiers and service members.

Joining the US Army offers a sense of purpose, opportunities for professional growth, a chance to serve your country, access to advanced training and education, along with competitive benefits and a stable career path.

Use these Links to Explore More about the career opportunities of the U.S. Army, America’s largest and oldest military branch.

Links

• U.S. Army Homepage
• West Point Home Page
• Soldier Prep Quiz - What it takes to join
• Talk to a Recruiter

Contact the U.S. Army

• 1-888-550-ARMY
• www.goarmy.com