Twelve years ago, Zjarna M.’s parents were searching for a schooling option that was, “safe, flexible, and allowed them to contribute to what [her] education looked like.” After doing their research, they enrolled her in Visions Home School Academy for kindergarten. She and her sisters have been Visionaries ever since.
Now, as she prepares to enter her senior year in Visions’ University Prep Early College Academy, Zjarna is getting ready to close one chapter and confidently step into the next.
Zjarna on a visit to University of California, Davis.
Although Zjarna has been enrolled in a non-classroom-based program throughout her entire K-12 education, she has never felt like she was missing out.
“My favorite part about being a student at Visions is probably the amount of opportunities offered to me. There are so many different ways to get involved with the school and ways to meet people.”
One opportunity that has made a lasting impact is the Bridge to College mentoring program. Designed to support high school students who are the first in their immediate family to pursue a college education, the program helps students navigate the path to higher education with confidence.
For Zjarna, participating in Bridge to College has provided valuable insight into what college life actually looks like, making her next chapter feel much less intimidating. Through the program, she has learned how to select classes, apply for financial aid, build connections with peers, and overcome self-doubt.
Throughout her time at Visions, Zjarna has embraced every opportunity to get involved and build meaningful connections within the school community.
She credits both her credentialed teacher and counselor for providing encouragement and guidance along the way. “My counselor, Julie Winalski, is great at being supportive and offering tons of resources,” she shared. “My teacher, Donald Bisio, is just as great.”
Beyond the support she has received from staff, Zjarna has immersed herself in student life through a variety of clubs and leadership opportunities. She has participated in Book Club, the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), and the school newspaper, the Visions Quarterly. She also serves as secretary of the Student Advisory Council.
Some of her favorite memories have come from attending Visions community events, especially leadership workshops like the LifeWorks Experience, where she has built friendships and grown as a leader.
She has also taken advantage of Visions’ enrichment opportunities by working with vendors such as Outschool and completing driver’s education through AllGood Driving School.
Outside of school, Zjarna enjoys expressing her creativity through writing, playing guitar, drawing, reading, watching movies, and crocheting. She recently finished crocheting her first dress and is proud to report that it came out well.
She is especially passionate about music, psychology, and film, and has explored these interests through Visions’ dual enrollment opportunities and enrichment vendors.
Those experiences are helping shape her future goals. After graduation, she hopes to pursue higher education, studying film production and women’s studies. She is interested in careers in filmmaking, screenwriting, and graphic design.
“I think more than anything I want to create, whatever that ends up looking like for me in the future,” she explained.
Before graduating, Zjarna has one more major goal she hopes to accomplish: earning her State Seal of Biliteracy in French. She has studied the language for six years and is also learning Spanish and Korean.
“It’s mostly thanks to Visions that I’ve had the time and resources to be able to learn these languages,” she explained. “I aspire to be a polyglot in the future!”
After spending more than a decade as a Visionary, Zjarna hopes other students will make the most of every opportunity available to them.
“Take advantage of all of the amazing things that Visions offers, because there are truly so many things that you can do as a Visionary. Reach out to your teachers and counselors for help, and don’t be afraid to try new things.”
