Cascade Virtual Academy Students Bring Their Learning to Life at Bend’s Holiday Parade 2025

Students from Cascade Virtual Academy had the chance to step away from virtual classrooms and into the heart of a beloved Oregon tradition as they joined the annual Bend Holiday Parade earlier this month. The event, celebrating its 40th year with the theme “A Storybook Christmas,” brought CVA families together from across the state for an afternoon of holiday spirit, creativity, and community connection.

For many CVA students, whose school days typically take place online, the parade offered an exciting opportunity to meet peers face-to-face and experience a shared celebration. On Saturday, December 6, CVA students and their families marched alongside fellow Oregon online K12-powered schools during the festive  procession through Downtown Bend. The parade welcomed all seasonal traditions, from Christmas and Hanukkah to Yule and Las Posadas, making it a joyful gathering for families of all backgrounds.

In preparation for the parade, CVA students participated in an in-person art workshop hosted at the Salem Multicultural Institute. Led by the National Art Honor Society and supported by the PTO, students crafted colorful storybook props using paper-mâché, cardboard, paint, and fabric. The workshop also served as a PTO fundraiser and gave students the chance to enjoy treats, conversations, and hands-on creativity, an experience that can be rare in a fully online school setting.

Executive Director, Carrie Quinn, shared that the workshop was a powerful reminder of the value of in-person experiences for online learners. “Seeing students laughing, creating, and forming friendships reminds us why these gatherings matter,” she said.

When parade day arrived, CVA students proudly carried the handmade props through the streets of Bend, showcasing both their craftsmanship and their school spirit. Even those who couldn’t attend the parade enjoyed being part of the creative process leading up to it.

For CVA, community-building, whether online or in person, remains central to the student’s experience. Events like the parade, whale-watching field trips, pumpkin patch days, and wilderness excursions to places like Crater Lake help students form bonds that extend beyond the screen.