Students pursuing this distinction will take coursework at the highest level of attainment, while simultaneously participating in programming that provides authentic experiences and research. Working with a mentor through sophomore and junior years, students will design research that delves into an issue or topic of personal interest and culminates in a unique presentation that suits the student and topic. The "deliverables" include a portfolio composed of event summaries, reflections, skills discovered and/or honed, and research, as well as a multimedia presentation through which the Villa Visionary will share her research, findings, and results with an audience of peers, friends, family, and Villa faculty/staff. Students may further explore the same interests within the Senior Capstone experience. 

Academic information:

• The Villa Visionary program is a significant undertaking that will require approximately 5 to 10 hours of work each week. 

• Villa Visionaries must take 3 AP courses by graduation, in area or field of their choice. 

• Villa Visionaries are encouraged to have at least one year-long "skinny" of RFT in their schedule in order to have built-in time to meet with the program coordinators. 

• Villa Visionaries will earn 0.5 credit per year. Whereas this is a pass/fail opportunity, it will not be factored into a student's GPA. 

• Successful completion of this program will lead to the attainment of our Villa Visionaries distinction at graduation.

• Starting with our Class of 2029, admission will be via application in February of one's freshman year, to start in sophomore year. 

• A student must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA in order to apply for the Villa Visionaries program. 

• To be admitted to the program, a student will need to complete an application that includes short-answer essays through which the student will demonstrate cognitive aptitude, intellectual curiosity, and a thirst for learning. 

• Teacher and Counselor input will be sought on each applicant.  

• All applications will be reviewed by a panel of volunteers from Villa Maria's faculty and staff.  

The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary trace their roots to the charism of St. Alphonsus Ligouri, the founder of the Redemptorist order of priests.  He was greatly influenced by the life and writings of St. Teresa of Ávila.1  Born in Spain in 1515, Teresa lived a “normal teenage life” but went on to become a prominent spiritual leader during the Counter-Reformation.  Her spirituality surrounding the importance of simple prayer was passed down through St. Alphonsus to the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.1  For her writings and teachings on the power of prayer, St. Teresa was declared a Doctor of the Church, one of only four women with this designation.  It is most appropriate for our most accomplished students to strive to aspire to all that St. Teresa of Ávila represented.

Sources:

1 Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM). (2023). Patrons. Retrieved from https://ihmimmaculata.org/ihm-spirituality/patrons/.

Catholic Online. (2023). St. Teresa of Avila. Retrieved from https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=208.