Trailblazer Academy Captures FLVS Science Fair Top Honors

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — Students from Trailblazer Academy earned an extraordinary distinction in the 2025–26 Florida Virtual School Science Fair, claiming five of the ten top awards statewide in a competition open to students across Florida Virtual School (FLVS).

The Trailblazer Academy winners include:

• Annabella Ninivaggi — The Effect of Pot Size on Plant Growth — 1st Place (Elementary)
• Sir West — How Do Different Amounts of Recycled Aquarium Water Affect Plant Growth? — 2nd Place (Elementary)
• Alyssa Williams — Do Different Types of Water Affect Seed Germination? — 3rd Place (Middle)
• Makenna Green — Chocolate Racing! — Honorable Mention (Middle)
• Jessalyn Goodhand — Water Filtration — Honorable Mention (Middle)

With more than 250,000 students eligible to participate statewide, Trailblazer Academy students representing half of the top honors is a remarkable achievement for the Ormond Beach-based gifted program.

“This recognition reflects the caliber of individuals we serve and the level of rigor we expect,” said Samantha Wood, co-founder of Trailblazer Academy. “Our learners are capable of deep thinking, original research, and sophisticated problem-solving when they are placed in an environment that challenges and supports them.”

Supporting High-Potential Learners

Trailblazer Academy is a women-owned, Ormond Beach-based gifted program serving students in grades 3–9. The program is designed specifically for high-potential learners who thrive on accelerated instruction, project-based learning, and advanced STEAM exploration. With core areas of focus being entrepreneurship, STEAM, and sustainability, Trailblazers receive individualized academic guidance while developing independence, resilience, and intellectual curiosity, all in a state-of-the-art facility equipped to promote their success in a myriad of fields.

Unlike traditional settings that often prioritize formulaic instruction geared toward standardized testing, Trailblazer Academy focuses on cultivating advanced thinkers - students who are eager to go beyond grade-level expectations and pursue complex ideas with real-world application and value.

“Our students learn how to think like entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers - true problem-solvers,” said Mrs. Wood. “They don’t just complete experiments - they design them, execute them, troubleshoot them, defend their conclusions, and apply what they’ve learned to the real world.”

A Milestone Moment

This marks Trailblazer Academy’s first major public recognition since opening its doors in Ormond Beach in 2025. The achievement underscores both the strength of its students and the impact of providing a specialized academic environment tailored to gifted learners.

“With over 250,000 students eligible to participate through FLVS, for our learners to earn five of the ten top awards is remarkable,” Mrs. Wood added. “We are incredibly proud of their discipline, originality, and perseverance.”

Trailblazer Academy plans to continue expanding opportunities for advanced research, community partnerships, and real-world learning experiences that expose students to high-level academic and professional pathways.