Bridgeway Academy is pleased to announce our 2011 valedictorian, Juvanne Dartnall from Costa Mesa, CA. In addition to having the highest GPA for those Bridgeway Academy students who attended the graduation ceremony, Juvanne is a passionate ballet dancer who performs in several ballets a year. (We looked it up…that’s a professional ballet schedule!)

How did she feel about this achievement? Well, Juvanne was excited! She said, “It was a real honor to be chosen. I didn’t think I would be because you never think you’ll be the one … but it was very cool when I found out!”

Homeschooled since the age of five and practicing ballet since she was eleven years old, Juvanne credits the flexibility of homeschooling for her ability to maintain good grades while fulfilling a demanding ballet schedule and develop her talent. Juvanne said, “I’m a ballet dancer and when you’re in high school, ballet gets more intense. The ballet practice schedule is not something you can change … you have to be there for practices. I was able to work my high school schedule around my ballet schedule. The flexibility was great.”

One of the things Juvanne considers most valuable about homeschooling is the ability to learn at your own pace, and in your own way. She thinks of herself as someone who prefers to understand course material in-depth before moving on. Unlike classrooms where fifty students vie for a teacher’s attention, Juvanne loved the pressure-free environment of homeschooling. “I didn’t have to worry about going on to the next subject before I understood everything to my satisfaction. Homeschooling is one-on-one, so I had time. I also feel like it opened my eyes to a lot of different things.”

When asked about the future, Juvanne told us that she’ll be attending Orange Coast College in the fall. After completing the junior college’s courses, she plans to transfer to a California state school to complete her education. She will study either business or liberal arts and hopes to open her own ballet studio after college. But she says, if that doesn’t work out, she has a back-up plan!

Among her favorite subjects were English and Biology. Biology, in particular, was a passion. “I love biology. If I don’t have a ballet studio, I want to be a pediatric nurse.”

Any wisdom or advice for fellow graduates and homeschoolers? Juvanne said that what she’d most like to share with fellow grads is that they should never listen to negatives … either negative people or negative thoughts. And be sure to always follow your dreams because no one can take them away from you. Sage advice from a young high achiever!

Juvanne offered in closing: “I’d like to thank Bridgeway Academy for helping me accomplish my educational goals. It feels good when you work hard and it pays off.”

We’re proud of her hard work, as well. Good luck with the future, Juvanne, and keep dancing!