Franklin Elementary fifth grade students headed to Virginia Tech

Four fifth graders from Franklin Elementary School have been accepted into the Summer Enrichment Experience at Virginia Tech (SEE VT). This is a residential week-long camp on VT’s campus.

Paisley Montgomery, Jasmine Snow, Sami Raya, and Dylan Ramirez Torres were all chosen for the program.

Judges said that these students “stood out in a very competitive pool of applicants. We are proud of you,” school officials said.

Surry County Schools has partnered with the Appalachian Rural Talent Initiative to support rural talent development. Select students in fifth and sixth grade from across three states were invited to apply to attend SEE VT.

SEE VT offers students the opportunity to learn, examine, and reflect on what it means to live and thrive in rural communities. Students explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities including agriculture, drones, and laboratory science. They also focus on literature, theater, poetry, and exercise while meeting experts from a variety of fields.

Last year more than 200 students applied with a 25% acceptance rate. Students submit a video and essay; judges also consider teacher recommendations.

According to officials from SEE VT, the following Surry County students have attended the camp: from Franklin Elementary School, Addison Cornett, Callie Hazel, and Chloe Lopez-Hernandez; and from other schools in the Surry County Schools district, Lyla Atkins, Audrey Collins, Piper Patton, and Lukas White.