Finding Balance and Strength at NCVA 

For Lauren, a senior at North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA), gymnastics has been more than a sport – it’s been a defining part of her life. After more than a decade of training, competition, and travel, Lauren has learned what it means to balance discipline, flexibility, and personal growth, both inside and outside the gym. 

Lauren and her brother began attending NCVA when the school first opened in 2015. Now in her 12th year with the school, she is preparing to graduate with an impressive academic résumé that includes dual enrollment at a local community college. By the time she finishes high school, Lauren will have earned more than 30 college credits – and she’s entering her final semester with just one remaining high school class needed. 

Having that level of flexibility has been key to supporting her gymnastics career. Lauren trains as a Level 10 gymnast, practicing four hours every weekday and competing almost every weekend during competition season. Over the years, she’s trained at several gyms – often located an hour or more from home – making a traditional school schedule nearly impossible. 

“NCVA really helped with the flexibility,” Lauren shared. “Even when I wanted to try a more traditional high school experience, the travel and training made that unrealistic. Virtual school made it possible to keep going.” 

Lauren’s gymnastics journey began when she was just four-years-old, after a brief (and unsuccessful) attempt at ballet. From there, her talent quickly became clear. She quickly moved through the levels, often competing as one of the youngest athletes in her group. While that came with challenges, it also helped move her to the highest levels of competition. 

Lauren has qualified for state championships every year, advanced to regionals four times, and earned a coveted spot at nationals – a milestone that required placing in the top eight athletes across an eight-state region. She also represented North Carolina at Level 9 Nationals, competing against athletes from across the eastern United States. 

As graduation approaches, Lauren is excited about future possibilities. While she once envisioned competing as a collegiate athlete, she’s now focused on new goals – including studying abroad in Japan and minoring in Japanese. After years of intensive training, she’s ready to try new experiences while carrying forward the lessons gymnastics has taught her. 

Through NCVA’s flexibility and support, Lauren has been able to show that with the right learning environment, students don’t have to choose between their passions and their education. 

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