Student Spotlight: From Classroom to Championship, How Online Learning Fuels Skyler’s Pokémon Dreams

Meet Skyler, a bright and adventurous 4th grader at Cascade Virtual Academy. Unlike most kids her age, Skyler isn’t just mastering multiplication and reading—she’s also a rising star in the world of Pokémon tournaments. Thanks to the adaptable nature of online learning, she and her family have been able to travel across the country, competing in high-stakes events while staying on top of schoolwork.

A Family’s Pokémon Adventure

Skyler’s Pokémon journey started in second grade when her dad introduced the family to The Battle Academy, a board game with smaller Pokémon decks and a rule box. What started as a fun family activity quickly turned into a passion when they discovered a local “Learn to Play” session at Geeks & Games.

From there, Skyler and her family took a leap into competitive play, attending their first regional tournament. In 2024, they competed in four regional events, including one that took them by plane all the way to New Orleans. Traveling for Pokémon tournaments has become a family affair, with weekends spent at competitions and sometimes even 15-hour road trips to chase the next challenge.

One of Skyler’s proudest moments was being invited to the North American International Championship—a major Pokémon event she attended just before her 9th birthday in June 2024. Now, she and her family have their sights set on earning enough points to qualify for the Pokémon World Championship in August 2025—set to take place right across from Disneyland!

How Online Learning at Cascade Virtual Academy Supports Skyler’s Passion

Attending a traditional brick-and-mortar school might have made Skyler’s competitive Pokémon dreams much harder to achieve. But with Cascade Virtual Academy’s balanced schedule, she’s able to focus on her education and incorporate her travels.

A typical school day for Skyler includes attending her morning class, completing assignments, and finishing schoolwork by 2 PM—leaving plenty of time for Pokémon practice, family activities, and fun!

She also enjoys the gamification aspects of online learning, which makes the school feel interactive and engaging. Technology and tools (a game-based learning platform) help her stay excited about learning while connecting with classmates in a virtual environment.

More Than Just a Game: Socialization Through Pokémon & School

Despite being in an online school, Skyler has built a strong social network both through Cascade Virtual Academy and her Pokémon leagues. She regularly attends Pokémon Leagues—including weekly events—where she meets new players and hones her skills.

She also gets to interact with her Cascade Virtual Academy classmates through field trips, virtual activities, and events like PTO Family Game Night, where she shared her Pokémon journey to inspire other students.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Skyler?

As she prepares for middle school, Skyler is excited about the possibility of joining eSports programs. Outside of Pokémon, she enjoys playing Nintendo Switch games, as she recently downloaded a fun exercise game, and is considering trying tennis in 5th grade.

For now, she’s focused on her biggest goal—earning enough points to qualify for the Pokémon World Championship in 2025. With her dedication, the support of her family, and the flexibility of online learning, there’s no doubt she’s on the path to success!

Skyler wants other students to know that online learning isn’t just about academics—she says, “…it’s also about having fun and feeling safe. I appreciate my teachers’ efforts to make learning enjoyable and I value the bully-free environment that Cascade Virtual Academy provides.”

Skyler and her family enjoy the school’s environment as it fits their lifestyle. If you’re interested in learning more about Cascade Virtual Academy, here are some of the benefits other families have shared about online schooling. 

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