For many high school students, summer break is a time to relax. For Southern Gap High School student Sophie Whited, it was an opportunity to take a step toward her future career.
Whited, a 15-year-old rising sophomore at Southern Gap High School, recently participated in the 2026 Summer Enrichment Program at Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg. The six-day residential program, held July 12-18, brought together about 70 rising sophomores, juniors and seniors from across Virginia who are interested in exploring future college majors and career paths.
During the program, students lived in campus residence halls, took part in hands-on academic courses and took part in extracurricular activities designed to introduce them to college life while helping them explore potential careers.
Whited who spent her freshman year at Twin Valley and will be attending Southern Gap High, enrolled in the workshop, “The Places You Will Go,” led by Assistant Director of Career Education Mary Becelia. The interactive session encouraged students to think about their futures by creating vision boards using magazine clippings, stickers and other materials to illustrate their educational and career goals.
Whited said the experience reinforced her plans for the future.
“I know what I want to do, but I want to make sure what I’m doing is going to get me there,” she said.
Whited plans to major in psychology in college and pursue a career as an art therapist, combining mental health counseling with creative expression to help others.
The Summer Enrichment Program offered students opportunities to explore a wide range of career fields, including medicine, engineering, the arts and other professions through interactive learning experiences and campus activities.
Whited is the daughter of Matt Whited and Ashley Keene and Robbie Minton.
