Dingmans cyber school grad named statewide valedictorian

DINGMANS FERRY — Lovisa LjungQvist Brinson, of Dingmans Ferry, was recently named Valedictorian of Agora Cyber Charter School’s Class of 2017. Agora awarded diplomas to nearly 800 students, making this one of the largest graduating classes in Pennsylvania.
Agora, based in King of Prussia, is a public virtual charter school that provides online education to students in grades kindergarten through 12 who reside in almost every county in Pennsylvania.
Brinson attended elementary school locally but transferred to cyber school because she did not feel challenged in the traditional classroom.
Cyber school allows students to work at their own pace, and can move ahead if they understand assignments without waiting for the rest of the class.
“When I was in elementary grades, I loved school, and I was always so excited to learn,” said Brinson. “There were a number of distractions in the classroom at my middle school that stopped me from learning at a faster pace. Teachers often had to stop class to address behavior or bullying, and I just wanted a place where I could make the most of my education.”
The flexibility of cyber school allowed Lovisa to stay on top of her academics but also dedicate time to other interests like music and horseback riding.
Her family has always had a passion for dance, and in 2013, Lovisa began to dance with the Hanna Q Dance Company, a professional Contemporary -Modern Dance Company, which her mother founded and is based in New York City. Brinson was able to invest many long hours training and performing but also stay on top of her academics wherever she could take her laptop.
“Cyber school breeds independence and makes students take an active role in their education,” said Brinson.
“Dancing in New York has been an amazing experience I would not have had if I stayed with my traditional district school. Because of the balance I created, I have matured into a confident young woman, ready to leap headfirst into college and the real world.”
Despite her passion for dance, Lovisa plans to study neuroscience with a minor in bioengineering this fall when she attends University of Pittsburgh.
Once she completes her undergraduate degree, Brinson plans to attend medical school.
Graduation for Agora was held on June 15 at the Giant Center in Hershey, where Brinson joined her classmates, many meeting for the very first time.
As valedictorian, she addressed the graduates, speaking passionately about communicating with others in our current divided environment. She encouraged fellow students to open their minds to those with opposing views, not write them off or cut them out of your life, which is increasingly easier to do for students who live on social media.
“We have the opportunity to not only make a difference, but also be a difference,” she said, hoping to inspire her fellow classmates as they prepare themselves for what lies ahead. “All of us can be the next face of the world. All of us have the power and responsibility to speak maturely, calmly, and respectfully to others that do not agree with us If we all apply this attitude, we can change mere arguing into proper and effective discussion, a tool that the world is in dire need of."