DOWNINGTOWN, PA — The Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) and Philadelphia Virtual Academy (PVA), both operated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit, recently honored their class of 2025 with ceremonies that spotlighted student success, resilience, and academic excellence. These celebrations showcased the academies’ dedication to fostering leadership and preparing students for their future endeavors.
On May 22, BVA hosted its annual Senior Celebration in a virtual setting, bringing together students, families, and educators to recognize the accomplishments of its graduates. During the event, High Achiever Awards were presented to students excelling in their respective academic departments. Notable recipients included Mitchell Rotella for Science (Wilson School District) and Jasmine Chroch for English (School District of Philadelphia). Gavin and Ireland Potteiger (Governor Mifflin School District) were recognized for Social Studies, and Sharon Liu (Radnor Township School District) received the Mathematics award.
Additionally, the Children’s Fund of Chester County awarded scholarships to seniors Navin Stone and Emma Harper for their academic excellence and contributions to the BVA community.
Over in Philadelphia, PVA celebrated its graduates with an in-person commencement ceremony on June 10 at Benjamin Franklin High School. The event emphasized the determination, growth, and leadership of its graduates. Jasmine Chroch and Tamika Butler were honored as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
Among other highlights, Clariza Hernandez and Sabira Aliyeva were awarded postsecondary scholarships, recognizing their exceptional achievements. Hernandez also earned an associate degree from Harrisburg Area Community College through a dual enrollment program in collaboration with BVA and PVA.
PVA recognized students across a range of achievements:
- Math: India Langford
- English: Ethan Warble
- Social Science/History: Younique Gilkey
- Science: Israth Promi
- Foreign Language: Zephyr Bove
- Additional awards included recognitions for attendance, social improvement, and senior projects, showcasing the diverse accomplishments of the class of 2025.
In addition to honoring the achievements of their seniors, BVA also celebrated younger students with ceremonies marking milestones in kindergarten and 5th grade. These virtual events highlighted joyful moments, student reflections, and teacher tributes, reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines the academies.
“We are incredibly proud of all our graduates and the unique journeys they’ve taken to reach this milestone,” said Dr. Jeanne McCarthy, Director of Brandywine Virtual Academy. “These students have shown remarkable resilience and achievement, and we look forward to seeing the great things they’ll accomplish in the future.”
BVA and PVA continue to provide accessible, high-quality online education across Pennsylvania, equipping students with the tools they need for academic and personal growth. Through programs like these, both academies remain committed to fostering leadership and excellence at all grade levels.
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