Maidu Virtual Charter Academy celebrates historic first: Soccer star signs with Chico State

Maidu Virtual Charter Academy (MVCA) is celebrating a historic milestone this graduation season. Senior Adrienne Gililland has become the first graduate in the school's history to be recruited to play a sport at the NCAA Division II level, officially committing to play women's soccer for Chico State. Gililland's journey to collegiate athletics is a testament to determination, discipline and the power of flexible education. She enrolled at MVCA as a sophomore, searching for an alternative path that would allow her to balance the rigorous demands of elite athletic training while earning her high school diploma. That decision paid off on the field and in the classroom. Gililland, a powerhouse striker, has played competitive soccer for six years — the last two with the Folsom Lake Surf. During her tenure with the club, she quickly rose to become one of their premier athletes. Gililland's talent has caught widespread attention across Northern California's soccer community. Gililland was recently selected by coaches and an administrative panel to play on the prestigious NorCal Premier Soccer All-Star Team. Showing her versatility and skill at the semi-pro level, she also earned a Player of the Match honor for the Iron Rose semi-pro team in Roseville after scoring a thrilling, match-winning goal. But Gililland's achievements aren't limited to athletics. Throughout her high school career, she maintained a high academic status while taking on a challenging course load that included several Advanced Placement classes. "Adrienne embodies everything we strive to foster at Maidu Virtual Charter Academy," said Kristen Miller, assistant principal of MVCA. "She utilized our flexible educational model to chase her athletic passions at the highest level without ever sacrificing her academic excellence. We could not be prouder to call her our first NCAA Division II signee." As she prepares to head to Chico State, Gililland will step onto the Wildcats' field ready to make an immediate impact while continuing to pursue her long-term academic and professional dreams.