By: Kathryn Hodgins, Content and Public Relations Specialist, Florida Virtual School

Editor's Note: This post is one in a series of posts highlighting outstanding members of the Florida Virtual High School (FVHS) Class of 2026.

Florida Virtual High School senior, Juliana Giumentaro, from Palm Bay, Fla., has earned the prestigious Stars and Stripes Award, the highest honor given by American Heritage Girls (AHG), an achievement reached by fewer than 200 girls nationwide last year. Her extraordinary project, leadership, and dedication to animal welfare set her apart, marking a milestone she says she’ll carry with her into her future career.

For Juliana, this honor represents the hard work, compassion, and flexibility she found through Florida Virtual School (FLVS).

Building “Goatopia” 

To earn the Stars and Stripes Award, Juliana designed and led a large‑scale service project supporting Painted Horse Rescue, a sanctuary that had recently taken in 27 goats in need of improved living conditions. What began as a simple idea, reinforcing a fence and adding a gate,  quickly grew into something much more meaningful.

Juliana and her American Heritage Girls troop built Goatopia, a fully imagined goat village complete with paver pathways, repurposed dog houses and playhouses for shelter, and sturdy cinder‑block climbing platforms. The project required hands‑on work, planning, delegation, and collaboration, all skills she developed throughout her AHG journey.

Watching the rescued goats roam their new “town” for the first time was a moment Juliana says she’ll never forget.

“This project taught me that leadership isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about serving, listening, and working beside them,” she shared. “Seeing Goatopia come together reminded me why I love helping animals and why I want to dedicate my future to their care.”

A Flexible Path That Supported Her Passions

Juliana’s journey to the Stars and Stripes Award has been shaped not only by her commitment to service but also by her unique educational path. Every May through September, she travels nearly 1,500 miles from Florida to the quiet woods of Maine,  and thanks to FLVS, her learning goes with her.

When her family moved to Florida in eighth grade, she feared leaving behind the community she had built. But enrolling in FLVS allowed her to continue learning from anywhere, giving her the freedom to spend extended time up north while staying on track academically.

That same flexibility proved essential during her service project. As an FLVS Full Time senior, she structured her days to complete coursework in the mornings and devote afternoons to coordinating with the rescue, planning workdays, and leading her troop.

As Juliana looks ahead to college to study biology and become a veterinarian, she credits the support and flexibility of FLVS for helping her grow not just as a student but as a leader. Her story is one of many examples of how online learning can empower Florida students to pursue their passions beyond the classroom.

For students who want the freedom to explore their interests, whether they’re traveling, volunteering, competing, or discovering what inspires them, FLVS offers flexible online learning paths designed to meet their needs. Families can learn more about FLVS Flex (individual courses) and FLVS Full Time by visiting the FLVS School Options page to find the approach that best supports their student’s passions and goals.

About the Author: Content and Public Relations Specialist at Florida Virtual School, Katie Hodgins, leverages her extensive experience and passion for storytelling to highlight the people, places, and opportunities that define the FLVS community. A military veteran and lifelong learner, Katie enjoys communicating unique and innovative stories to inspire and engage the next generation. Having traveled throughout the world, she is proud to have planted roots here in Florida and with Florida Virtual School.