Student Spotlight: Adam Figueroa
April 17, 2024
It is our privilege as educators at Virtual High School to get to watch our students grow up to become the next passionate changemakers of society. As a result of the establishment of Virtual Elementary School (our companion school founded in 2012), we’re sometimes even lucky enough to guide students from their formative elementary years all the way through to graduation. That’s the case with former VES student and current VHS all-star, Adam Figueroa, who is now taking the world by storm with his artwork, volunteerism, and giant heart.
Born and raised in Canada, Adam has dedicated his young life to helping others in need, whether that means volunteering in his local community or connecting with organizations that provide assistance to people around the world. At just 17, Adam has already contributed to several community outreach programs, including Bracelet of Hope which is a charitable organization that gives help to children in Lesotho Africa who have been orphaned by HIV and AIDS. He has also earned the rank of Warrant Officer Second Class in his Air Cadets squadron, where he has now taken on teaching and first aid roles!
An avid artist, Adam is currently enrolled in an urban arts program called MADE (Music, Arts, Drama, & English) which provides students with the opportunity to learn skills through innovative, non-traditional experiences. Recently, Adam and his fellow MADE students took part in creating a mural for the Guelph Black Heritage Society which focused on highlighting Black history and excellence.
In addition to his interest in the world of art, Adam has a wide range of hobbies. He does karate, plays the violin, collects albums, plays videos games, practices his driving skills for his G2 test, and reads stories about paranormal activity. It’s evident from Adam’s many talents and involvement in the community that he needed an education option that could support his passions and changing schedule. After leaving his local school system in Grade 6, Adam’s parents found Virtual Elementary School and have never looked back!
I continued grades 6–8 through VES and later enrolled in VHS. [T]hey offered me a similar experience as VES and have been helping me get my grades back up and back on track!”
Now a seasoned professional at online learning, Adam’s number one piece of advice for students new to Virtual High School is to never be afraid to email your teachers. After initially feeling hesitant to ask for help from his teachers and the online tutoring service we offer at VHS, Adam discovered that being brave enough to send that first email connected him with the information he was looking for AND a team of individuals who care about his well-being.
[R]ather than only having a small amount of time with a teacher to student interaction like in a traditional school setting, I get one on one responses that help me improve my next assignments.”
Adam plans to use VHS’s Fast Track courses to earn his remaining credits to graduate high school over the next year, but it comes as no surprise that his post-secondary plans involve helping others. As of right now, he hasn’t quite decided if he wants to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology or a paramedic program.
I have always been interested in helping the community within the healthcare system. My mom has worked as a nurse ever since I was young, and I have always aspired to help the community in certain ways that she has been able to!”
While we’re honoured to be part of this stage of Adam’s life and get to witness firsthand what he’s able to accomplish in school, we simply can’t wait to see what he’ll do next to make the world out there a better place!