From the very beginning of her educational journey, Belia and her family knew the traditional classroom was not giving her the support she needed to thrive.
Rather than settling for an environment that wasn’t meeting her needs, they began searching for a different path. After a trusted family friend recommended Visions In Education, Belia enrolled in the Home School Academy in third grade—and she never looked back.
Ten years later, she crossed the graduation stage as a proud member of the Class of 2026, reflecting on a decade of growth, resilience, and an educational experience that empowered her to become her authentic self.
Throughout her ten years at Visions, Belia discovered what personalized learning could truly look like. Instead of trying to fit into a one-size-fits-all model, she was able to build an education around her unique learning style, interests, and goals.
“I was always able to find something that ‘clicked’ for me,” she shared.
Where she once struggled to access the resources she needed, Belia found an abundance of support—from curriculum tailored to her learning style to educators who genuinely invested in her success.
One person, in particular, left a lasting impact.
“Kris should be the teacher of the year, every year! She is amazing,” Belia said. “Always encouraging. Always coming up with new things for me to try. Always interested in what I am doing. She made school engaging and fun.“
Beyond academics, Belia embraced the many opportunities Visions offers to connect with fellow students and build lasting memories. She fondly remembers attending seasonal outings like trips to the Hamburger Farm and pumpkin patches, but one experience stands above the rest–her junior prom.
Creativity has always been at the heart of who Belia is.
When she isn’t in school, she enjoys listening to music, creating art, reading books, writing stories, and watching films and television. At Visions, she was encouraged to explore those passions through elective courses focused on creativity and storytelling, while also taking advantage of enrichment vendors who offered classes in art and cooking.
Those opportunities allowed her to continue developing the creative talents that have become central to both her personal life and future aspirations.
Graduation marked more than the end of Belia’s high school journey—it gave her the opportunity to share one of her greatest passions with the entire Class of 2026.
During the ceremony, Belia performed on stage, combining her love of piano, songwriting, and singing in front of her fellow graduates, families, and staff.
“I love performing. Playing the piano, writing songs, and singing are some of the things I am passionate about,” she said. “I enjoy being on stage and sharing my love of music with the audience.”
When she learned she had been selected to perform at graduation, the excitement was immediate. “I felt that giddy joy that overcomes you and makes you all tingly inside. I could not stop smiling.”
Belia performed her own rendition of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” by Duke Ellington, incorporating original musical elements she wrote herself, making the performance a fitting reflection of both her talent and individuality. Check out her performance below!
With high school behind her, Belia is ready to pursue the next stage of her creative journey.
She hopes to travel to England, where she dreams of spending a year creating films before returning to the United States to continue making movies and television while writing and performing her own music.
More than anything, she hopes her work leaves a lasting impact. “I want to influence the world to be a better place for all in the future.“
As she begins this exciting new chapter, Belia reflects on the community that helped shape her journey over the past decade.
“I would like to say thank you to Visions In Education for bringing out the best in me.“
