Finding Her Stride: How Virtual School Helps Lilly Pursue Her Passion

When Lindsey and her daughter, Lilly, moved from Virginia to northwest Alabama, they were already considering a change in how Lilly approached school. Lilly had thought about online learning before the move but ultimately decided against it. Once the family settled in Alabama, however, starting at a new school provided the perfect opportunity to give virtual learning a try. 

Lilly enrolled at Alabama Virtual Academy (ALVA) in fourth grade – and quickly discovered that learning from home gave her something she had been missing in a traditional classroom: the ability to learn at her own pace. 

“She was kind of bored in school before,” Lindsey said. “It just worked.” 

For Lilly, being able to spend more time on challenging subjects while learning in a comfortable environment has made a difference. She can structure her schoolwork around her other commitments, often completing lessons early in the morning or later in the evening so she has time during the day to pursue her other passions. 

From Riding to Barrel Racing 

One of those passions began with family. Lilly’s grandmother owned horses, and when she brought her horses to Alabama, Lilly’s interest grew. She started taking riding lessons, then began riding her grandmother’s horses before eventually getting horses of her own and finding a local trainer. 

Today, Lilly trains horses, competes in barrel racing and helps care for several horses, many of which are rescues. 

Barrel racing combines speed, focus and precision as riders guide their horses through a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. For Lilly, the experience is as exciting as it is rewarding. 

“It’s a lot of adrenaline,” she said. “It’s fast. I like it. Very fun.” 

A competition day can begin with preparing feed and loading the trailer before traveling several hours to a show. Once there, Lilly warms up, spends time with her horse and waits for her turn to head into the arena. 

Learning with Her Future in Mind 

Lilly’s interest in horses has also shaped her plans for the future. She hopes to attend the University of North Alabama and eventually attend veterinary school, with the goal of opening a mobile veterinary practice that can serve large animals where they live. 

She has already begun preparing for that future, earning certificates in horse welfare and biosecurity and taking dual-enrollment courses for college credit. 

Between school, horses, barrel racing, photography, YouTube and her growing hobby-horse business, Lilly has also developed another important skill: how to plan and manage her time. 

ALVA has helped make that possible. 

“I can do my schoolwork either in the early morning or in the evening, which gives me the day to get stuff done,” Lilly said. 

For Lindsey, that flexibility has been one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. It allows Lilly to focus on what she needs academically while continuing to pursue the interests that inspire her. 

From the classroom to the arena, Lilly is finding her own pace – and building a future around the things she loves. 

Is Online Learning Right for Your Family? 

Alabama Virtual Academy is a full-time, tuition-free online public school that serves K-12th grade students statewide. ALVA provides a high-quality education with personalized learning solutions designed to help students thrive in a virtual learning environment. Contact us to learn more! 

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