We are excited to share the inspiring story of Samantha Silvas, a standout student-athlete and senior at iSVA, with the help ofย iSchool Virtual Academy (iSVA) Communication & Relationships Manager Genavieve Meyer.
Samantha joined iSVA midway through her junior year after learning about another family’s journey and feeling a deep calling to transition to online public school due to the many issues she faced at her previous public school.
“I had a teacher at my old school who put her daughter through iSVA, and we heard really good things about it,” Samantha shared with us. “We felt that iSVA was the best choice for our family.” She appreciates the supportive community at iSVA and the opportunity to grow academically while dedicating herself to her athletic pursuits. 
Samantha began playing volleyball in seventh grade, though she admits she wasnโt initially skilled at the sport. “I wasn’t very good, but I would go before school to get better and help myself grow as an athlete.”
Despite challenges along the way, Samantha’s tenacity, faith, and resilience carried her forward. She played AAU basketball with hopes of earning a scholarship, but eventually, “basketball started to feel more like a chore and less like a love.” She also excelled in powerlifting, ranking 6th in her region as a freshman, but ultimately realized it wouldnโt take her where she wanted to go.
As her love for volleyball grew, Samantha chose to focus solely on that sport, playing varsity starting her sophomore year and joining a club team. Her dedication, the support of her amazing club coaches, and help from her dad led to a volleyball scholarship offer from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, where she will continue her athletic career at the collegiate level.
Samantha’s long-term goals are centered around helping others. “I want to go to college to be a pediatric occupational therapist,” she shares. “I want to help all the kids know that they are loved no matter what their disabilities are.”
Reflecting on her journey, Samantha is filled with heartfelt gratitude, giving “thanks to God and my dad because I wouldn’t be here without either.” She continues by expressing her appreciation for being featured in a student spotlight, saying, “This truly means so much to me. It shows me that everything I’ve done was worth it.” She hopes her story will inspire young girls to follow their passions and never give up, no matter the obstacles.
We are incredibly proud of Samantha and all that she has accomplished. We eagerly look forward to hearing more about her journey, both on the volleyball court and beyond.
iSchool Virtual Academy is a fully accredited, tuition-free online public school for students in Texas. To learn more about iSchool Virtual Academy and how they are preparing students for higher education and future careers or to apply, visit ischoolvirtual.com.
