Two 2025 John Handley High School graduates are on their way to Yale University this fall.
Both Blessed Makahamadze and Amelia Newman attended the Mountain Vista Governor’s School (MVGS) on Laurel Ridge’s Middletown Campus. And, both picked up associate degrees in science and in general studies, plus a uniform certificate in general studies, from the college prior to their high school graduation ceremony, thanks to further dual-enrolled classes they undertook.
Based out of the Middletown and Fauquier campuses, MVGS serves Winchester, and Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Rappahannock and Warren counties. Students come to campus for 3½ hours every school day, with Fridays reserved for special learning experiences.
The governor’s school is open to students in 10th-12th grade, is focused on technology, offers advanced math, science and humanities classes, and puts an emphasis on collaborative research.
“Going into Handley, I always knew that I was going to do governor’s school,” said Newman. “It has been the best decision I’ve ever made, truly. I credit all of my accomplishments and future to governor’s school. All of my best friends have come from here.”
Makahamadze said he jumps at every opportunity to challenge himself. His favorite teacher was Christian Laourdakis, who he had for chemistry.
“It was such a hard class, but it really prepares you for the college workload,” said Makahamadze, who was born in Zimbabwe and moved to the U.S. as a preschooler. “I just love science and STEM.”
At Yale, he will be studying molecular, cellular and developmental biology on a pre-med track and hopes to become an anesthesiologist.
“I want to go into the world and save people’s lives, to be a difference maker,” said Makahamadze, who has a full scholarship to Yale. “I think medicine is a way I can make a difference.”
Newman will be studying humanities. Her hope is to do a first-year directed studies program centered around literature, philosophy, and historical and political thought. As far as a future career, Newman has an open mind.
“I hope to explore in college and see where it takes me,” she said.
Both students were accepted into an impressive array of universities. For Newman, these included Harvard University, Brown University, Stanford University, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, Rice University, the University of Virginia and William & Mary. Makahamadze was also accepted into Dartmouth University, U.Va., W&M, and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Both agree the rigorous nature of the governor’s school and the dual-enrolled classes was instrumental in their being accepted into Ivy League schools.
“One hundred percent,” said Newman. “The difficult coursework, and also just showing that we wanted to challenge ourselves going out of our way to apply and go to governor’s school, I think definitely showed Yale that we’re ready for their academic coursework. I feel without the college-level credits that we’ve taken, we wouldn’t be prepared for an Ivy League education. I think we both feel confident that we will be all right.”
Makahamadze agreed, adding, “Apart from the rigorous academics that the governor’s school offers, it also provides lifelong connections and mentors that support you, not only academically, but emotionally as well.”
Newman’s favorite teacher was her MVGS humanities teacher.
“I absolutely loved Amanda Harrington – her seminar style of her classes and the discussions have always been really outstanding,” she said.
The Handley alumni have a playful relationship and are looking forward to embarking on their college journeys together.
“We’re stuck with each other another four years,” joked Newman.
“I think she’s going to have a really fun time at Yale, and if I’m there, it’s going to be a really fun time,” Makahamadze said with a smile.
Newman added, “When he cures cancer, I get to say, ‘I knew him when.’”
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.